The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-08-27
PITOU ON THE PLAYERS
PEOPLE OF THE STAGE BETTEEs
EQUIPPED THAN FORMERLY.
Society Is More inclined to the Profess
sion Than 1t Was-Beginninss OF
Great Actors-Maggie Mitchell in
Extraordinarily of Modern
Stage Folk.

''The dramatic profession is in better
standing now, socially, than it has ever
been," said Augustus Pitou, author OF
Chauncey Olcott'S new play, "Old Linn
erick Town." yesterday at the Ryan.
Mr. ,Pitou, Mr.. Olcott and the other
members Of the company arrived in the
city yesterday, and held their first re-
hearsal yesterday morning at the
Metropolitan.
so many young women whose fani-
lies have social position and SO many
young men who have had the benefit of
a collegiate education, have joined the
ranks Of the players that it is not sur
prising that the standard has risen.
Mccullough was a prop man; Law
renee Barrett was a bell boy, and many
other great players of the past had
similar loWly beginnings. Stars of to-
day, however, can point with pride to
their family tree, and hob mob, if they
so desire, with members of the 400 ="
Started as an Actor.
Mr.. Pitou. before he became manager
and playwright, was an actor. He play
ed in Edwin BOOTHS company the might
Booth opened the old Walnut street
theater with "Ronaeo and Juliet" Then
he discovered" Seaman and became
his manager. Later he "discoyered'
Chauncey Olcott. ~---
Personality limits the greatest ac-
tors said Mr. Pitou in, discussing the
staging of his7new play and the selec-
ton Of players for it. "Of course, a
good all round player Should be able to
play successfully any part, but he can
never hope to achieve any degree of
fame until he had a part that suits his
personality. Booth had four great
roles, Iago. Hamlet, Richelieu and 'In
Fools Revenge Every time he play
cd
But when he essayed' Macbeth"
"Othello," or some other character to
which his personality was wholly I'M
suited, the attendance was meager.
If the character a playwright had
created fits a players personality that
players success Is assured. Take
Maude Adams. for instance. She pos
sesses trait that is rather uncommon.
Only one other actress know, Maggie
Mitchell-and she has retired from the
stage-poSSesses the same trait. Imp
lShness is the word that expresses it.
When she played the part of Lady
Babbie' she became famous simply be-
cause the role demanded the quality
she could furnish. Of course impish-
ness is not a great quality But it is
rare.
Maggie Mitchell in Retirement.
Il spent a couple of weeks this sum-
mer at the quiet little nook on the At
lantic coast where Maggie Mitchell has
a cottage, and where she spends her
summers. Although she is two or three
years past sixty, she still has her
youthful, well rounded figure, and is
remarkably vivacious. Indeed, seeing
her walking with her daughters on the
beach, wearing the same style of bath
Ing suit and a big sun hat, I found it
difficult at distance to tell the mother
from the daughters.
Fitch Is Sound.
THE rumor that Clyde Fitch is
threatened with mental break down
IS absurd" said Mr.. Pitou. Mentally,
ne is as alert as ever. Fitch has led a
clean life, and though he labors inces-
sanity, he takes excellent care of his
health. Good work can still be expect
ed from this American playwright"
referring to the play he has written
Tor Mr.. Oleott and which will be pro-
| duced in St. Paul for the first time Sat
urday evening, Mr.. Pitou said:
We had our first rehearsal Aug. S,
| IN New York City, the very day Mr.. OIL
colt returned from abroad. Since then
we have been rehearsing steadily. /
have just finished my last piece OF
work IN connection with the play. the
promptor's book" Mr.. Pitou showed a
| green covered typewritten manuscript,
ana pointed out the stage directions
| which prefaced every act.
These directions are for the stage
manager, who will take charge of the
play after the st. Paul engagement.
FOR shall return home in a week.
| nave selected all the props for the plav
myself You know it's historfcalEthe
time in 183S-and have seen to it that
every bit of stage furnishing down to
the minutest detail, is correct. III. A.
ogden, whom consider the greatest
designer OF costumes in the world has
costumed the play. The scenery wa 9
designed in New York, and the cos
tunes made there. The former is az
locally and the latter as historicaIIv
correct as it is possible for them to he.
Friday night we have our dress rebear-
sal at the theater, and am confideT&
that everything will run smoothly and
insure a successful premier perform