The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-04
MISS BERGERE CHATS
WITH Matinee GIRL

I'm awfully glad TO see YOU" was Miss
Bergeres greeting. as she shook my
hand cordially. "Oh, II does seem so good
TO get back TO this dear old place, and TO
find that you all haven't quite forgotten
me-"
l had gone round TO Keith's In the hope
that l might get n chance to have a lit
tie chat with this clever woman, and had
almost despaired when / saw the crowd
OF eagerly attentive people OF which she
was the centre In the pretty little green
room at Keiths All OF her former co..
workers. the members OF the Albee COM
pany, who were here last summer were
seated In a circle listening to the little
actress. / silently Joined the groupe of
listeners, after this greeting. and she
went on:
oh. IL was bully to come back and get
such a reception. Really, l was quite
touched by the seeming genuineness of
their greeting And all the lovely flowers
that were sent me. too. What a business
the florists here must have done. I'm 80
glad you like my little play. You can't
tell how grateful | am TO Miss Griswold.
who wrote IL. Why did leave the legiti-
mate? Well, / haven't exactly left II for
good You see. ! was thoroughly tired out.
My season In Madame Butterfly was a
terrific strain on me. and then followed
two years OF continuous stock work with
a weekly change OF bill | confess that
like stock work immensely, but | really
couldn't stand any more. at present. I
had done every kind OF a dance. from a
cake-walk to a minuet and had played
every sort OF character, from the hero
ines OF the Hoyt farces to the heroines
OF Shakespeare, and | was tired. A friend
who had had great success I'm vaudeville
asked me why | didn't try her line of
work. i said / would II / could get
certain salary. IL was ridicuously high
hat Ill on a.
to try me In Brooklyn for one week.
I accepted. and Immediately followed
several other equally fine offers and I've
booked for the entire season. After that
I can't tell DO less work than ever be-
fore at a much larger salary. but I don {
expect 10 stay I'm vaudeville more than a
year Yes. i think i can congratulate my
self upon having secured one OF the best
dramatic sketches In the market It's diff
ferent from any other sketch ever writ
ten. and II Is a remarkable character
study showing every phase OF that emo
tional nature.
The evolution from the unkempt, dis
orderly negligee to the smart. up-to-date
gown Is startling. / carry all OF my sur
roundings with me. The picture rack that
| carry with mo is filled with photos all
! given me. There's ono there OF Bernhardt.
Calve. Eddie Scanlon. the famous Irish
singer. one OF Mr. Williams. and all OF
season. Wherever I go I take my home
! with me. oh. It's Just fine 10 see you all
| again. I've had so many letters from my
! local friends that II keeps me terribly
| busy answering them. And the invita-
tons. really. there have been so many OF
every nature that I simply couldn't ac-
cept them all. so I've been compelled 10
4 decline all Of them.
| I've hit on better plan. and Mr..
Lovenbcrg has kindly consented 10 a. It's
this. ! shall give reception on Friday
| afternoon. after the performance. I'm the
| green foyer az the rear of the orchestra
| floor. where shall receive all of my
/ friends who are present at the matinee
| performance Mr. Lovenherg has very
| kindly offered 10 have my little play pre-
| cede the regular performance Of the AL
! bee company. 90 that I may have an op-
portunity 20 change my gown. oh. you
| ought 20 see what I'm going 20 wear II
has Just arrived. and It's n dream. Rut.
| there-you wait and sec for yourself
/ You're all invited 90 my party. and don't
| you dare 90 not come"
| Everyone present acceuted gladly. and
| the Interested groupe dispersed
THE MATINEE GIRL.