New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-01

ia a dramatic season recent that Of
1901-'02. The authors own pages treat OF
many other theatrical episodes still fresh in the
public mind Yet his book is chiefly OF interest
because IL commentaries the experiences of an
actor Of the old school, and is rich in anecdotes
Of men and women whose personalities and
methods are remembered at first hand only by
the Oldest plavgoers. Mr. Stoddart can claim 10
have had the longest metropolitan career OF
any actor upon the stage" Also he is
qualified TO tell of theatrical conditions in
England and Scotland more than fifty years
ago
Born in Yorkshire in 1927 .he son Of an actor
and an actress, he grew up beneath the shadow
OF the theatre. and boys he and his brother
went upon the stage. He has amusing stories Of
John Henry AleXander-"Old Alec" as he was
caled-in whose Glasgow theatre he first
iabored. The man a quaint character, and
quaint things often occurring under his
roof On one occasion. in spite Of his more than
fifty years and of a personality fitted only for
low comedy. he undertook TO play Romeo. Glas-
gov was aroused TO rebellion Handbills were
put about. reading: Murder at the Theatre
Royal Alexander as Romeo" The night of
the performance he was received with boots
and adjurations 10 go home and when. after
Romeos speech
Fall upon the ground as do now,
Taking the measure Of an unmade grave
he fell in a comic manner, the spectators got
altogether out OF hand.
They whistled pounded the floor with their
sticks and catcalled until Romeo could stand II
no longer. He rose up from his prone position,
came down to the footlights and spoke as follows;
Ladies and gentlemen" voice from the gall
lery. oh go home. Alec. IN give "a. sala
Alexander, If some one will point out that
hlackguard in the gallery" Another voice, II
was me Alec da6t EoIF tongue o TTsre9
Ladies and gentlemen, have built you beauti-
full theatre" lYells. Il know am not so
laughter But. thank God. I play the
part" At this there was general row, and
Alexander went back his position. again
stretching himself upon the stage. The dis
turbance continued throughout the evening.
Another droll story of that time relates TO an
appearance of George Frederick Cooke as Rich
ard, with the assistance of young man cast for
Ratcliff At the end Of the great speech in the
tent scene this naineless performer came on 10
answer Richards shout of inquiry with these
words: "Ratclih. my lord. It's 1; the early viii
lage cock hath twice done salutation TO the
morn. Your friends are up and buckle on their
armour" But the Ratclin unnerved
that he could only stammer. - tbs ], my lord;
the early village cock and. making another
effort, he repeated this amazing declaration
Poor Cooke hopeless and enraged. and
blurted forth. Then why the devil don't you
crow" Mr.. Stoddart himself had grievous ex-
perience once in those early days. At re-
hearsal OF Macbeth with Macready. in which it
was his business, as one Of the apparitions TO
say,
Macbeth. Macbeth. Macbeth beware Macdun!
he was so nervous that he began, "Muckbeth,
Muckbeth' and. in spite of the profane urgings
Of the great actor. he could not pronounce the
name correctly. He confesses that he does not
remember whether he finally said Muck" or
Mack" But even at the start it plain
. ID He
worked hard with that thoroughness which was
characteristic Of the old school. and though he
tells Of no spectacular triumphs. he excites our
respect for the steady advance he made in his |
profession. The burdens put upon actors |
shoulders then were extraordinarily heavy and |
salaries were ludicrously small. but he and all |
the members OF his family plodded with I'M |
failing devotion and good spirits. His oppor- |
tunities were varied. He remember playing |
Sir Harcourt Courtly in London Assurance" |
and. in the same evening, going baker |
in the comic scenes of the pantOmime, board |
OF loaves upon my head and being knocked down |
by the clown and pelted with my own bread by |
the PantaloOn."
In the early ffties he came TO America, and. |
under the auspices Of James w. Wallack began
the career in which he has much honor
on these shores His pages from this time on
are dotted with celebrated names, about the |
owners OF which he has many an interesting and
amusing recollection to give US. He speaks
with wistful appreciation Of Wallacks famous
company Of actors. Most Of them had been as
sociated year after year. and knew an
others style. and they played so we'll into one
another's hands that the result admirable.
do not think the old comedies were ever better |
played" Mr.. Stoddart naturally has more 10 |
say about the value Of the old stock companies. |
He thinks that the system they followed was |
inlmeasurably better than that OF the present |
time. There was royal road to position in |
the old DAYS" he says. but most people had TO
commence al the bottom Of the ladder and as |
oend il gradually. the goal being its top. And if
one never climbed very high yet the very strife
and endeavor Of itself gave 10 him that repose, |
that ease Of department which I think quite |
essential in the actor Such discipline was for |
merly deemed necessary. and If. after submitting
to il, one was not found particularly brilliant |
one was at least experienced, which sometimes /
means much" Yet he is not blindly devoted 10 |
the past. and frankly says: Time I imagine |
has little do with ability. It's the individual |
not the period" He gives good illustration of |
this in his account of how he was cast for the /
principal part in Baron Chevrial" only TO feel |
more and more convinced as he prepared for |
the public performance. that ne was not suited /
20 the task. Mr. Mansfield was cast in the play /
for small part" ne says and / discovered /
was watching me like cat during rehearsals'' |
Al last he made up his mind 10 refuse 10 90 on |
with the part: il fell into the hands OF his young
colleague. and all know what that brilliant /
actor made of il. No one appreciated his sue
cess more than Mr.. StoddRrt The sweet spirit
aisoernible in his story Of the incident is char
Roteristic. Readers OF this volume will enjoy
the light il throws an interesting profess
sioral career. but they viii find equal pleasure
In the further acquaintance il aFtlessly gives