The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-01
THE MATINEE GIRL

The burning question OF the week in
local theatrical circles is whether or not
Eva Nudge. the lightning change artist
at keith's is twins--the grammar OF this
sounds doubtful. but as happen TO know
that she isn't twins. / can hardly be ex-
pected TO subscribe 10 a syntax that
would imply Miss Mudge's plural exist
ance. Her soft, smidgy little name in
terested me IN Miss Eva long before /
had seen her ingenious turn" / won
dered where she got IL. and what odd
freak OF genuine humor had led to it's
choice, for IL is vastly unlike the "Fieur-
cites" and "Montmorencys" that blossom
so freely In the vaudeville garden.
was almost disappointed TO find that she
comes by IL honestly, that the humorists
were the good Mudges. her parents. and
that their only daughter has her quaint
little name by the prosaic right OF in
heritance. Nevertheless, Miss Nudge is
charming little person, and her turn
Is the cleverest OF Its kind that has come
within my ken. She sings in a sympa-
thetic and very pleasing contralto, a pa
triouc ditty illustrated by four complete
changes OF costume. 1t is the lightning
like rapidly OF the changes that consti-
tutes the chief wonder OF the act, and has
given rise 10 the rumor that Miss Nudge
Is twins. She comes out first in a dapper
soldier suit. scant five feet OF plump and
pleasing femininity with a bright boyish
face. and the clearest, roundest, bluest
eyes imaginable. After her song. a dig
nified sort of an affair. the soldier hoy
bows his way leisurely through the door
OF the tent uor there is special scenery
suited for the act, representing camp
at Cuba, showing Morrow Castle in the
background). and hey Prestol In four sec
onds comely Red Cross nurse, in ire
proachable getup appears. Then the
nurse warbleS verse or two, and dis
appears, and four seconds later a bonnie
sailor laddie with the pretty Nudge face.
wanders on TO the stage. After another
song Miss Nudge begins to banker for
some more new clothes, and the sailor
boy sweggers out, 10 give way four Sec
onds later TO Stonewal Jackson, IN tho
full splendor of the Confederate uniform.
Jackson concludes the patriotic cycle and
is followed a few seconds later by a
dainty soubrette. French heeled and gilt
ter gowned. bejewelled and elaborately
coiffured, who makes her appearance al
most before one can say Jack Robinson
or before the orchestra can switch round
10 the tuneful little coon song. Jim
Bailey. Won't You Please Come Home"
with which Miss Nudge closes her In
genious act. OF course there Is a mystery
and little Miss Nudge besought me not
TO give IL away, for she said quantity:
IF people know how 1t is done. why IL
won't be wonder any more"
Under fire OF those beautiful and ap-
pealing blue eyes, / almost crossed my
heart 10 die that I wouldn't tell, but
stern duty and loyalty 10 my paper for
bade, and here. with humble apologies to
tu he
mother in the case. two OF them In fact
They stand I'm the wings. and as soon as
Miss Nudge leaves the stage they wave
their wands and the air is full OF flying
garments. Coats fly of and gowns fiy
on faster than the eye can see. cap
drops from nowhere and perches itself
on the Nudge curls, shoes attach them
selves 10 the Nudge feet seemingly OF
their own accord, and presto! Prestissi,no!
there you are. Nothing Is a mystery
when you know how IL is done. Its all
very we'll for you to look enviously at
me-, said Miss Nudge. while / started
and pulled myself together, but II isn't
as easy living up TO a record as you'd
think / feel rather proud of having
beaten the worlds record, making my
changes in four seconds. but every time
MAKE up change / remind myself OF
this record and compel myself TO live up
TO IL. Nervous? Dear. no, ir was ner-
vous simply couldn't do IT, Ny fingers
would be all thumbs" she said merrily.
Il am always very cool and collected
during my act. but Immediately after.
when the reaction comes my energy give
way, and i am compelled 10 take an
hours complete rest after every perform
lnce before going TO my hotel. OF the
stage and In my dressing room I am lust
Ike any other girl. and loiter and fuss
ana dawdle Ike the average girl My
tather and mother always travel with
ne, and relieve me OF the cares and wor-
lies attendant upon everyone I'm this nro-
fession. It's such a comfort to have them
With me, To claim their sympathy In wor-
~ or triumph" l can ute understand
how proud they must be OF their only
,hild. who is as dainty as a spray of
nignonette and one OF the shining lights
IF the vaudeville field.
As / was coming from Miss Mudge's
iress'ng room, where l had been inter
viewing this little lady, l had the pleas
are OF meeting j. Aldrich Libbey. whose
name is familiar TO every American. For
years l have seen this noted vocalist's
picture upon the front page of we'll
known ballads. but had never had the
pleasure of hearing or seeing him. No
)ne in the large audience then present
lhd more heartily applauded the efforts OF
Mr.. Libbey and his charming companion.
katheryn Trayer, than The Matinee
iirl, and i was very glad of the opportu-
lity 10 meet Mr. Libbey to express per-
,onallv my appreciation. After compile
nenting him most sincerely upon the
good taste and Judgment shown in his
'hoice OF vocal selections. inquired
how long he had been in vaudeville.
About year and a half. AS sort OF
experiment, / went out West. with Miss
rrayer. who I'm private life is Mrs. Lib
oey for one weeks engagement, but
seven months Since then
have lost but one week. and that in
travelling from Frisco TO New York.
which broke into week. But this isn't
luite my first appearance in this city. I
played here with several opera compan-
es, notably Madame Fursch Madi.
.harles ADAMS, Dorcas.' "A Trip to