The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-05-31

table and the long Mr.. Fields at the
other We're discussing proposition TO
add to their Harlem real estate hold
ings in Chicago one afternoon when
asked to talk of their art and its last
ing possibilities
Mr. Weber stuck an index finger into
One Hundred and Forty-first street on
the map in front of him and looked up
with some reluctance. He is the bust
ness man Of the Weber-Fieldst cOmbina-
ton, so he answered from commercial
standpoint.
win it lastg" he said, pointing to a
row of patient people IN front of the
window waiting for tickets. Does that
look as if it would last2 They are tired
of this kind of a show, L guess. Maybe
Trey want 'Hannele' or THE Ghosts
They don't tell us that, though, and we
make no change until we hear from
them through the box Office"
Mr.. Fields, being dominant at the art
end of the institution and supreme in
all matters pertaining to it back of the
curtain. then spoke from the viewpoint
Of one concerned entirely with the ar
tistic.
our Grand he said. "our errand is
to provide amusement, not instruction,
and it seems to US to be a perfectly
legitimate one While the entertain
ment we give is not educationaB it is
clean, bright and the highest of its
class We believe people WI not tire
Of it for at least another year. When
they do tire of 1t we are ready for
them
Mr.. Fields looked at Mr. Weber and
Mr. Weber looked at Mr. Fields as if
there was to be made an announce
ment of some Importance to the amuse-
ment world. Then Mr.. Fields proceeded
appointingly.
we can not tell now what our plans
are They are sensational, however, and
they Will cause some talk when we
make them known. They contemplate
the engagement Of five more stars,
making thirteen in all We have had
the thing figured out for two years, and
the minute we are given the Opportuni-
ty we shall spring it. Tt is our ambi-
ton to be actor-managers on big
scale, like they are in London
Mr. Fields talked as if he rather de-
precated the taste Of a public which en-
| jOyed the unsubstantial connection Of
music and lights now on view at the
theaters and intimated that he should
welcome a change to something heftier
He gave no hint, however that he and
Mr.. Weber, like their former colleague.
Mr.. Warheld, contemplated an excur-
/ sion into Shakespeare.
did Dave Varied say he was going
to play ShylOck?" asked Mr.. Fields. He
was told that such was Mr.. Warfield's
assertion.
"On or off the stage?" inquired Mr.
! Weber, by way of illustrating the
| great affection one actor has for anoth-
er even when on friendly terms
When Mr. Fields talks he employs
/ language much above the average stage
persons English and he makes use Of
! graceful and expressive gestures. Mr..
/ Weber, who weighs about ninety
! pounds, is prone to slang and speaks so
/ rapidly that often he jumbles his verbs.
! just as If he were in his makeup. He
/ talks Of money mostly. They ere fond
! of each other. and each is authority for
/ the statement that they haven't quar-
4 relied once in their twenty-five years
J connection. Both are STRENGTHENING
/ chaps and neither wears diamonds.
Since nearly every one is curious to
! know how SO many stars are kept to-
! gether ia one company, Mr. Weber and
! Mr.. Fields We're asked if hypnotism or
/ big salaries was the key.
I'VE pay the money said Mr.. We
Der
we use hypnotism, too" said Mr.
! Fields Then we let them have their
! own way. We give them all the best of
/ it. They get all the good lines and all
/ the good business in everything we put
/ on Sometimes we reach the last re-
/ hearsal Invested of everything in our
{ parts. and the rest of them ask US wha {
/ we are going to do. We don't know our
/ selves, but we manage to think of some
/ thing. The greatest trouble is with
! dressing rooms We have them built all
! alike in our New York house but on the
| road We have to be careful Everyone
/ must have just what Miss Russell has.
/ IF she gets red carpet in her dressing
/ room the others want it, and they get il.
friendly and we are just like a big fam