Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-16

IheateF-BOeTb were tOrced, last Weehs 10
crafty their desires for amusement with
vaudeville. The only Offering at the Boyd
worthy Of note being Augustus Thomas
Splendid play Of the west and western
people. and inasmuch az the piece was
seen here two seasons ago with the origi-
nal cast. the same as is now making the
play such a great success IN London. in
GLIDING Theodore Roberts, Matte Earle,
Vincent serrano and others equally as well
known, It attracted little attention save
from the few who did not see it at that
time. The audiences we're accordingly
rather small. At the 0rpheum the bill, the
Orpheum road show, was easily the best
that has been seen at this theater during
the season and each performance attracted
enough people to comfortably MI the
theater, while on Sunday and Friday nights
the latter being military night, standing
room only was to be had. Undoubtedly the
most interesting feature Of the program,
n least to Omaha people, was the act OF
tne Omaha Guards Calling section, or es
they we're billed, the Union Calling Guards.
Their reception nightly was enthusiastic,
TO say the least, and It was well deserved,
since the act is without question one Of
the most thrilling Of any in vaudeville
today.
The eight young men who constitute the
Omaha Guards Calling gun squad, which
returned to the city last week for a brief
stay at the Orpheum, after having spent
six months en- tour, during which time
they have appeared at the majority Of the
leading theaters throughout the country
have a vastly different idea Of the life OF
q theatrical performer than they did be-
fore they made their debut here a season
ago. Their experiences as related to df-
ferent friends here during their stay last
week are as wide and varied as all the
ramihcations Of stagedom itself and would
all a volume that would make decidedly
Interesting reading. In a conversation with
the writer Captain Arnout. speaking OF the
trip and the views OF the men regarding
theatrical life, said: The boys have dis
covered that the life Of an actor, usually
looked upon by young men outside OF the
profession as being a thing OF beauty ana
10y forever, is in reality much more pleas
ant in anticipation than in realization. One
experiences much the same monotony as
n found in any business or profession. and
! think perhaps a little more. OF course the
travelling is not unpleasant, since there are
enough of us to keep each other company,
and where we play a week in large cities
there are almost always points Of interest
enough for us to look up to make the time
pass rapidly and pleasantly. When we nrst
started out II was pretty much every TEL
low for himself and to his own tastes, but
we soon found that this was a rather
lonesome way to enjoy ourselves, as there
were no two who wanted to do the same
thing or go to the same places, SO we
finally decided to have one man look UP
and make inquiries about the dinerent
points of interest and then all take them
in tokether. This is our present plan, and
we find Il much more pleasant than any
we have yet tried. During the seven days
of a week It is only necessary Tor US 70
be in the theater about four hours al
told. Our act runs about six mlnutes' IL
takes us ten minutes to get into our uni
forms and that long again to change TO our
street clothes, SO you see we have all but
about a half hour Of each day to ourselves
HOLIDAYS always looked forward to at home
with SO much pleasure are particularly dull
among theatrical people, who OF course
always and themselves hundreds of miles
away from home and loved ones. Christ
mas and New Years were spent In San
Francisco and aside from the packages
and letters which we received from home
there was little to gladden. our hearts OF
make us realize fully that II was a holiday
All holidays mean double work for u.s. as
we play an extra matinee. OF course We
don't mind the work SO much, but We mus
be on hand at the theater at a certain
time and that spoils the afternoon toI
us, and you might say the entire day, FOL
since the boys have been on the road theS
have formed the habit OF sleeping ratheI
late and breakfast and lunch are usually
eaten at the same time of day. Thanks
giving we ate our turkey and gave thanks
in indianapolis. h only pleasant thlnt
I can remember about the day was tina
the proprietor Of the hotel where the en-
tire orpheum company was stopping CAV
a little spread for US after the evening
performance.
some of the first things we do after arriv'
ing In town is to look up the military com
panies. II there are any, and pay them
visit. OF all OF those we have seen drill
40 far 1 cannot recall one that excells GU
own companies when II comes to perfec'
ton In military evolutions or knowledge o
tactics. We have been received cordially
and treated splendidly by the military or
xanizations of the different cities we hav'
visited so far, with one experimentation
apolis. That Is where the battery Is 10
Gated which won second prize in the artil
iery class ct the national encampment he'll
In Memphis. Tenn, some years ago. IN
Omaha Guards gatling section entered 4
the competition and won hrst prize. tn
seemed to be q thorn in the side OF the In
dianapolis company. and we were not re
ceived with open arms by them during GU
engagement there.
SLOW does the drill take in the dineren
cities" Every we'll. indeed. l cannot re
call a city where we have played That tn
audiences have not been particularly en-
thuslastic over II. In Canada 1t was reali
the hit Of the whole show. at least so IA
a. applause and enthusiasm goes. TIL
Canadians seem to be partial to anythinl
military and they made it PARTICULAR
muzmA