The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-14

Just been singing with Alice Oates As
principal comedian. ] took John How
ards place.
unfortunately. then, stopped for
breath, and the stage manager broke In,
I can do nothing for you: so get.
But you must do something for me.
He tried TO get away. and just clung to
him.
What's thisy broke in another voice.
Are you the manager? I asked. Yes.
he said, and what do you mean by In
terrupting the rehearsal Get out
Then began with him. told him
who I was and what could do asked
him TO try my voice. and told him he
would be making the mistake OF his !ifc II
he didn't take me on in hts chorus. ~
needed strengthening, ! told him so, and
he knew IL.
II was so desperate for the place-for I
didn't know a soul In New York AMI not
even a penny stood between me and s;aiS
vatlon-that I made the manager listen 10
me in spite of himself. He took me IN
his office and tried my voice. That's all
right he said, and so Is your nerve. He
scribbled at the desk n moment Here In
a note to a theatrical lodging house on
Eighteenth street. Take II over there. and
the landlady will give you a room and
something TO eat. And here's ten dollars
for some new clothes.
81 sang I'm that chorus until a chance
for a part came TO me- and then my luck
turned TO the good. But oh. II was ter
rible. No one knows. unless he has ex-
perienced It himself the deadenins effect II
has on a person. You sit out In front
and wonder why the chorus people are
not lively and interested, why. they dom Z
even smile. and chatter. and act with the
vivacity and the intelligence Of human
beings. There's the dull physical tire
that overwhelms them and then there's
the mental numbness OF standing there
night after night listening to other be-
ings talking and singing. and having a
feeling OF disgust at everything that 10
said. Don't blame the chorus people that
they are dummies. Pity them for the life
that makes them such"
The modern performer steps from office
or drawing room to stage, and becomes
an actor'over night. Mr.. Stevens has had
the novitiate that makes q man know
himself I'm every f,ber. He has been cir
Gus clown. and he has played all the
clowns I'm Shakespeare. He has been a
character parts with Augustin DAILY. fnal-
ly replacing James Lewis as principal
comedian In that company. He has been
star In musical pieces on several oc-
casions. and you and I remember the de-
lightful touch-and-so comedy OF his part
In His Excellency the Governor. played
few years ago To introduce Ethel Bar
rymore. He has appeared In every line
Of work that falls 20 the legitimate actor !.
he has sung every kind Of character IN
light and serious opera.
In the course OF year talk 10 scores
OF actors and hear their history. but I
cannot recall any one better trained than
Mr.. Stevens. He looks anything but an
actor--why II II that comedians especially
have faces OF cloistral calm and paiior7-
and yet when he talks II ridges itself
into picture lines that illustrate what he
II saying better than his words
81 am going TO make confession OF
artistic faith 10 you" said Mr. Stevens
and do not believe you will agree with
me In II.
II think that William F. Sheridan was
the greatest tragedian OF his time"
I shook my head with the negation ne
expected.
II played all manner OF parts with Mr..
Sheridan" continued Mr.. Stevens. but
whatever else I did, bad 10 be the boy
I'm King Lear whose hat he took In his
When he put II on his head
and thundered out. 4 am n king every
thing went away from me. 7 wasn't In n
theatre. There were no actors or audi
ence. 7 was out on a moor with n poor.
demented old man who had graz nd
a vakenins % mind for q single moment.
The rain beat upon me. I was cold. and
chilled. and awed. Ny heart sohed. II vas