New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-04

oRDs AND "REMINISCENCES BY cyril
Maude. edited by Ralph Maude. Illustrated.
svo pp. VII. 24O Z. P. Dutton s Co.
The oo-manager OF the Haymarket Theatre,
expressly disclaiming any attempt to write
formal history has gathered most entertaining
array OF anecdotes from the days of Theophilus
Cfbber and FOote down through the times
OF the Colnlans. Webster. Mathews, Blackstone
and the Bancrofts 10 Beerbohm Tree and the
present management. The inimtable quality
OF the traditions of the quainter days Of the
stage are balanced in the recent passages by
q gay and unhesitating frankness Take. for
example. this glimpse OF George Bernard Shaw's
activity at the rehearsal Of his play. You Never
Can TELL Allan Aynesworth was cast in the
leading part one of his scenes was, in the
authors opinion, beyond the actors power and
Mr.. Maude would have the reader understand
that Mr.. Shaw deliberately used his hypnotic
power at rehearsal 10 compel Mr.. Aynesworih
70 fulfil his prediction"
At last Aynesworth broke down under the
Torture. Mr. Shaw, with that perndlouS ar OF
making the best OF everything which never de-
serted him, hypnotized him into complaining or
the number Of speeches he had to deliver; Where-
supon Mr.. Shaw cut out no less than seventeen
OF them. This naturally disabled the artist
totally. On the question of cutting Mr.. shaw s
attitude was nothing less than satanic When
suggested cutting he handed me Inc pay,
soegged me TO cut II freely. and then hypnouzed
ene so that I could not collect my thoughts suf-
fhciently 10 a single line. on the other hand,
az showed the least pleasure in scene at re-
hearsal he at once cut il out on the ground that
the play was too long. What l suffered from
that man at that time VIII never be fully known.
The heart alone knoweth its own bitterness.
It is related OF Foote'S jealousy of Garrick that
he never forgave him success. on the occasion
OF GarTaclrs triumph at Stratford, at the Shake
Epeare Jubilee. a gentleman who tried to make
himself agreeable by talking to Foote Of the
excellence Of the performance they had wit
messed was listened TO in silence for a time, and
then asked suddenly if Warwickshire had the
honor of being his birthplace as well as Shake
Epeare's.
NO replied the gentleman, I am from
Essex"
'.Ah" replied Foote, remembering that Essex
was county famous for its cattle, from Essex
indeed! And who drove you?
The rather quarrelsome younger Colman di-
sected a similar jealousy against successful
rivals in playwriting, and had small use for a
Fnan who would not laugh uproariously at his
5oI1es. Once when he was entertained at dinner
at Carlton House. he turned TO the Duke Of
York at his elbow and demanded TO know who
that fine looking fellow at the head Of the table
was"
Hush, George" said the duke good naturally.
cor you'll get into sCTape." NO, no." said
Coinlan, IN a loud voice. i came out to enjoy
myself I want TO know who that fine, square
ElOulOeTeC,
dow is at the head Of the table. BE quiet
returned the duke, you know it's the prince
-'Why, then" went on Colman again, raising
his voice. he must be your elder brother; de-
clare he don't look half your age Wen, l re-
member the time he sung a good song. II he Is
the same good fellow to-day he would not
fuse an old playfellow.' The prince was much
amused and promptly complied with Colman's
request, the manager meanwhile applaudlng
him uproariously. What magnificent voice"
he said. when the song was over such eX-
preston. tool I'll be damned If don't engage
him for my theatre"
Colman had the highest respect and affection
for the elder Mathews perhaps the mainstay Of
the theatre at the time. It Of
AIathews's firm convictions that no FISH could
ever be or ever was caught with rod and line. He
was himself like a fish out Of water when lack
ing applause in the theatre or out Once when
he declined to take part in a benefit for Liston
on the ground that he had TO play elsewhere
and could not split himself in halves" Liston
retorted, Il don't know that, for I've often seen
you play in two pieces" ListOn refused one
evening 10 accede 10 an irrepressible encore for
q dance IN 'Tom Thumb by finally coming
forward and stiIling the uproar with the curt
remark: Ladies and gentlemen I regret that
am too fatigued to oblge now" The pit
treasured these words in its heart and IN the
duel scene later provoked general merrment by
shouting to the actor who was fencing with
Liston: Please take care! Don't do too much
or you'll fatigue himr
II is easy TO Go too much with fatiguing quo
1stions. but perhaps this anecdote win not be
regretted OF the days when Edmund Kean and
Macready intense rivals played in the same
pieces at Drury Lane It was usual to consult
them in the course Of the evening as to what
they would appear in next
One night when the Drompter was sent to
ask Mr.. Macready what he would play with Mr.
Kean the great tragedian frOWned upon him till
he blushed.
'"Fore Cad. sir" he roared, how should
know what the man would like TO play?''
The prOmpter retired to seek the desired in
formation from Mr.. kean.
Damn il, sir" said Mr. Kean sharply, how
the he'll should / know what the fellow can
play?'