The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-11
MATINEE GIRL CHATS WITH
MIR. AND MRS. SWEATNAM.

One Of the most cultured gentlemen be-
fore the public today is Willis P. Sweat
nam. the blackface entertainer at Kel,hs
this week. Mr. Sweatnam is tremen-
dously popular with The Keith clientele.
and his name was sufficient to make me
glad Of an opportunity to go TO that the
stre yesterday afternoon. Unfortunately
/ was never fortunate enough TO have
scen him In minstrel work, although
have heard a great deal about his record
In that line OF work and having only
seen him I'm a monologue act / was some
what interested 10 see him In his dual
role. go instead of going directly to
the Green Room. j went around to the
front OF the house TO first see the act.
''The Rivals" Without exaggeration II
Is one of the funniest seen at Keitlns this
season. / laughed uproarously all
through the act, and everyone present
Joined me. AS the curtain fell i leaned
back In my seat TO regain my composure
and gave myself up to rejecting
just what was the secret of this mans
wonderful "funning" power.
To be sure the sketch was exceptionally
funny. but the mans personality and
unction count for a large part OF his sue
cess. He mas attained degree of artis-
tic finish unexcelled by any living per-
mannerisms are extremely fascinating
and
At this point In my reflections I found
myself at my customary haunt, the stage
door. The genial stage door keeper told
me that Mr.. Sweatnam had gone to his
room. but that Mrs. Sweatnam was I'm
the green room. She greeted me cor
ILL.
call Mr. Sweatnam. IL was some min
utes before ne appeared. during which
time Mrs. Sweatnam chatted merrily
about the thoughts uppermost in her
mind, namely her clever husband. IL
was very evident that she was an ardent
admirer OF him. and later IL occurred to
me that they made an ideal couple.
learned that she travels everywhere with
her husband, and that ne has "A tendency
to shift reporters and interviewers 10 her
and when he Joined us in the Green Room
he modestly left most of the conversation
% us
He has n strong, intellectual face with
bushy hair OF dark brown. slightly
touched with grey, which gave him a dis.
tinguished air and would have made him
q matinee girl idol II seen without the
black makeup with which he Is now r,
thoroughly Identified
taste. and HIS well groomed appearance,
and manner seemed 20 stamp gentle
man" upon him. There was a sparkle o
interest I'm his clear. discerning eyes anS
looking at him one could net but believ,
him 10 DE Interested I'm his work. As 4
divining my thought, Mrs. Sweatnam sx
claimed: There Is at least one man VIII,
likes work" pointing toward her hus
band. Indeed he'd far rather work thar
eat" Even In undermonstrative Prov1
denc7' inquired AZ this Mr. Sweat
nam said earnestly. Most assurediy
always look forward TO playing An Provi
dence. To be sure the Providence peopl,
are not demonstrative. but they are un
Questionably among the most iptelligen
and appreciative Of the theatregoers o
the United States I'd far rather hay,
a ripple OF appreciative laughter from
them than uproarious applause. although
20 tell the truth, ! really forget that ther,
Is such a thing a. an audience until afte
] leave the stage"
"Mr. Sweatnam likes playing 20 IN,
high foreheads commented tha
gentleman's wife. "and he always speaks