The Indianapolis journal., 1903-11-15
EDWARD VII AN ACTOR.
Made His Appearance Once on the
Stage as s'Yeoman of the Guard"
c. o,,fc Dos& rN;.1o.oh

MaOe MIS- appearance Once on tne
Stage as ''YeOman of the Guard"
st. Louis Post-Dispatch.
That King Edward VII once made his
appearance upon the public stage as a
chorus man In comic opera is not gener-
ally known. Indeed, at the time. not more
than half dozen of his associates behind
the footlights were aware that they had
royalty in their ranks and not a soul in
front discovered the identity of the burly
beef eater" who was destined to become
their King.
Twenty years ago, when he was Prince Of
Wales. his Royal Highness was a frequent
visitor behind the scenes of certain theaters
But his presence was usually kept pro-
found secret, except to those few players,
distinction of personal acquaintance with
1.-The first gentleman of Europe"
When Albert Edward proposed to throw
off the Calling cloak Of royalty and pass a
pleasant hour or two in the realms of the
"rogues and vagabonds.' always, Of course.
strictly incognito. the management was al
ways informed beforehand of his intention.
Only the experienced and initiated were
able to Judge by infallible signs that their
domain was about to be invaded by "a dis
tinguished parsonage.
When 1t was the whim of the prince to
to visit some footlight favOrite in his or her
dressing room, an air Of mystery crept over
the proceedings. and should any member Of
0gnize the royal visitor, II was as much az
his her place worth to signify 1t by
a lettering look, whispered word a Sec
0nd glance.
woe to the disingenuous chorus girl who
dared to recognize that portly parsonage in
ordinary evening dress who stood a few
minutes at the wings toying with a huge
unlighted cigar, as anything but casual
friend Of the managers with the liberty Of
the house.
If he should speak to her, as he often
did TO members OF the rank and file, be IL
recorded to his credit, without any apparent
discrimination as to beauty or attractive
ness, she must answer him, as she would
without the smallest intimation that she
was aware OF his Identity. Should she in
advertently. or through inexperence. ad-
dress him as Your Royal Highness." he
would turn upon his heel and stalk away.
She would find her two weeks notice
awaiting her on the morrow. Many girls,
including some Americans, have thus
blighted their career upon the English stage.
Some few, with tact, have reaped the re-
ward Of that most valuable mental asset.
The actor, who tells the secret of the
Kings only appearance as player, says he
is now divulging 1t for the first time In the
New York Telegraph. In 1892 he was play
ing at the Savoy Theater, London, in 1.-The
Colonel OF Dragons" Albert Edward S
most intimate theatrical friend was George
Grossmith, the Bunthorne Of the opera at
the Savoy. The prince was anxious to ap-
pear on the stage and look out at the boxes,
instead of taking his accustomed view from
the boxes to the stage. He urged Grossmith
to arrange 1t for him, but Grossmith was
afraid. 1t was an unheard-of adventure for
an English prince. When the "Yeoman of
the Guard went on at the Savoy, the
prince renewed his supplications. 1t was
finally decided to send him on as one of the
guards at the Tower of London-beef eaters,
they are called. AT the last moment Ed
ward decided he must have Sir Francis
Knollys. his secretary, with him. They We're
fitted out with costumes and went on in the
second act. Few members of the company
knew it, and the audience never dreamed
of IL.