The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-15

the way they put to death In some
states" We all know the disciple of clo-
cution, with her frzzled hair and her
gorgeous trailing evening gown. Her
mission II to spell" the star Al an even
ing concert or recital. Her stories OF hair
breadth escapes, OF courtmsrtisls and OF
desth-bed scenes are introduced to break
the monotony of a musical program. and
they certainly succeed. At the close OF
each selection the audience appauds vo-
ciferously, not so much because they have
enjoyed the narrowing tale of the poor
little cripple who starves 90 death in his
wretched garret. but because they realize
the hours of hard work which the young
woman has put into the thing. I'm
coursged by the applause, she returns and
with the deep curtsy which Professor
Ranting has instructed her 10 use In such
an emergency, she proceeds 10 recite
Seem Things at Night in a voice which
plainly shows that the small boy whom
she initiates has asthma in it's most ag-
gravated form.
Again she is applsuded and again she
curtsies la Rsnting. Let her flourish
while she may. for the day is not far
distant when her voice will be heard no
more I'm the land. Then she will complain
that the public is tickle. IL is not tickle;
IL Is merely progressive 1t is fast out
growing it's fondpess for the ''yellowcu-
ZIONIST" and even the soiloquy or the
time-honored Maniac" fails 10 please.
Kate Douglas Niggin in one or her New
England stories. tells OF the girl who
came to Bixby Centre 10 recite, but"
yays aunt fferuy TaFBOX, VINO rs telling
the story, so many OF our ladies sleeps
alone I'm their houses nights that they
he'd TO up an tell Mis- Tucker that they
couldn't go hear her cousin read thout
she read qu!eter pieces; and" said Mrs.
Tucker. ''if she read auieter pieces what
would be the good OF KNOWN elecution2"
The old idea that in order TO exhibit her
talent at its best the elocutionist must
rant and tear her hay is disappearing,
and the long suffering public, as well as
the elocutionist herself realizes that IL is
the "quieter pieces" which require more
real talent than the heavier or more dra-
matte selections.
The public nowadays demands FIRST OF
all nsturslness In the reciter. 1t is hu-
man nature in all its phases which pleas
es. The more familiar the hearer may
be with the type which is depicted. the
more he appreciates IL. There IL nothing
which pleases State Of Maine" audi
ence SO much ~ the conversation OF q
State OF Maine" farmer or the seams
tress who goes out by the day" Every
little homely. familiar phrase amuses
them hugely. III is the same with every
class of people. They tell a story down
al the College Settlement OF an Irish wo-
man al one Of the @neiIhborhood par
ties who asked the young women who
was entertaining the assembly 20 tell
that story OF the ignorant Oirish woman
that was givin' bit iv her Jaw 10 her
kids tacher" IL is the holding the mir
ror up TO nature that pleases an audi
ence of whatever grade of society IL may
be. This is shown BY the vogue OF the
monoiOgue. form of entertainment
which was introduced not more than a
half-dozen years ago by Beatrice Her
ford and which has been welcomed with
JOY by public grown weary OF elocution.
IL is great pity that II has become so
degraded as 10 be an object OF ridicule,
for reciting is one or the most difficult
of all the arts. The artist or the sculp-
tor reproduces nature by the aid of color
or form, the musician plays on the feel
ings or his hearers by means of the sweet
sounding instrument. a singer has a mar
Velous voice with which TO charm, ~
actor has -tAa action. stage settiAr--s-tttl
costumes TO help him portray a charac-
ter. but the recitor must create his own
atmosphere, and picture with no aid or
accessories. the characters which he
wishes 10 present. The really good re-
otter. IL seems To me, is as great in lis
line a. the really good actor or sculptor
Is in his Take George Grossmlth, for
instance. simple and natural 10 the last
degree. I doubt If Sir Henry Irving. with
his gorgeous scenic productions. has ever
given half the real pleasure that has MIR.
Grotsmith with his Incompatible chsrac-
ter sketches and limitations Beatrice Her
ford In her own line is as great as Sarah
Bernhard In hers. Reciting is akin TO
acting, but that 81 requires greater tall
ent Is shown nv the very few good re-
cter as compared TO the score Of sue
cessful actors and actresses Good re-
citers-why. bless YOU. YOU can count |
them on the fingers OF one hand!
While It is utterly Impossible TO teach !
one 10 write, there arc technicsllties In |
this, a. I'm other professions which the !
recitcr should study just as a PAINTER
leaWs 10 use his brush and colors and a I
mugicisr learns the mechanical process OF 4
bringing the best tone from hts instru- I
msut. so recitcr must he instructed 10 I
use her voice 20 the beat advantage. She !
must develep the voice just ~ for singing /
IN order 10 get the greatest possible range |
and that she may be heard distinctly SSd |
with seemingly no effort I'm an parts of /
the room. She should also study physical |
CULTURE that she NAV move gracefully |
and easily. Vocal and physical training /
arc essential, but right here teaching \
should stop. " one has complete control /
of voice and body n perfect understand I
Inc and keen appreciation OF the selection 4
which she is 10 recite and tho power 10 |
lmpurt this sympatheucally to her audi /
ence. she Will find her name enrolled
among the good rccters
Drill ON selection With precise instruc-
tini-s ta saAtie iilstiess- different.
tones NJ voice ~ n ueed fnr sf,f.a ,a..