New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-20
THE CHILD 1T THE PLAY
Both on aud off the Stage He Is
~ 0rth StHdyiag.

Had Ponce de Leon lived in the times of the
modern theatre he might have abandoned his
search for the Fountain of Youth long before he
did, and gone on the stage instead. With the aid
Of grease paint and powder OF kllickerboelors and
a wig, he might have appeared IN some juvenile
part which at rate would have given him the
semblance of youth. His debut would have doubt
less shortened rather than heightened his days vet
while the footlights were agIow he could have
romped and gigged and eaten candy
So well do some adult players act child parts that
many little ones in the audience believe them to be
of their own age Frequently these grown up stage
children receive letters from tots who want them
for playmates and who invite them TO their parties
A letter was placed the other day in the hands of
William Norris. the leading ba by in the Babes
in Toyland." at the Majestic Theatre which read:
My Dearest Alan; You are just the sweetest boy
ever new. How old is you. Alan? Mama saws YOU
are a man: but knows better. i will be seveI. mex
month MOI want you to play with, Alan wish i
bruder. if Santa Claus would bring You? Your
loving SUSIE.
Here is another letter:
Dear Mr.. Norris: l spent my own money to give
you a very pretty calendar hope you will like it.
l. nhea your letter so much. Goodby From your
little friend Hotel b MafibS166r5 5o& e&3 SyR
p. S. / am sending you this tonight becaIIsa we
your little friend ELEAN0R
Another letter that Mr.. Norris received was from
a tot who will some day become a dramatic star
herself, if she has her way. 1t ran as follows
Dear Alan: You Just too for ANYTHING
/ wish could be up the stage with you. I
would just love act 1t must be such fun. All
money if I was an actress. I would just wear those
lovely dresses and be, oh, SO happy: Bye bye,
FLORENCE.
Thus one may see how early the feminine mind
falls a victim to the matinee idol. Unless Susie
Eleanor and Florence move 10 some out of the way
village apart from the road company or
should settle in New-Jersey, they will be likely
to write more such letters when they grow older.
And should they not be resolute enough to put
their thoughts into writing, they will gaze their
hero with the round eyed stare when their
hair is done up with combs and pins as when it
hung in loose curls about their shoulders. They
will buy his picture and have it framed. They
will name their pet dogs after him. and seek in
various other ways to immOrtalze his name
But the letters which adult actresses receive who
play girl parts not from children. The girls
in the audience do not write them, because the
girls envy. rather than admire. them. the boys
have yet learned how admire The boy I'M
like his sisters, regards the opposite sex
ated for the purpose of being teased. Instead of
writing adoring letter to light footed dan
Ger. he would prefer to play trick her. to trip
her up, IL he could get the chance, pull off her
wig. Later he will suffer a strange revulsion Of
feeling, and the gentle eyes which he ridiculed
when urchin he may when
Many a little girl would have a good long cry
could she ever see her matinee idol in street
clothes She might then find him old and bald and
wrinkled. Men and women play children's parts
until they gray haired. As Mr.. Norris said
yesterday afternoon in his dressing room at the
Majestic Theatre: LAS long your feet MIN
bic and your face smile, you can play the
child. Your makeup and your mind accomplish the
illusion"
The actor was dressed in knickerbockers and
stockings, with great yoke TO his collar such
child Of eight would wear, and a great scarf bow,
which looked if nurse had at last
aged TO tie it after half hundred commands to
stand still" Seating himself before the mirror.
the leading baby began smearing his face with
paint
These wrinkles Will have to come out" he said
as he rubbed out the lines around his mouth. Then
NV mouth must be shortened Bit as he filed in
the corners These eyebrows must be elevated into
a curve to give appearance of childish
creduty," and so saying he gave couple of deft
strokes of black paint over his eyes. Now for my
wig and your little boy viii be ready" With these