Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-28
EDWARD VII AN ACTOR.
Made His Appearance Once as "Yoe-
man of the Guard"

From the New York Telegraph.
That King Edward VII once made his
appearance upon the public stage as cho-
rus man in comic opera is not generally
known Indeed, at the time, not more imam
half a dozen of his associates behind the
5ootlights were aware that they had roy
atty in their ranks, and not a soul IN front
discovered the identity Of the burly peer
cater who was destined to become their
king.
Twenty years ago. when he was Prince
of Wales his royal highness was fire.
ouent visitor behind the scenes of certain
theaters. But his presence was usually
kept a profound secret. except to those few
PLAYERS usually of the gentler sex, who
claimed the distinction of personal ac-
quaintance with tine 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 vaEabonds." always. of course,
strictly incognito, the management was al
ways Informed beforehand of his intention.
Only the eN DerienCed and initiated were
able to Judge by infallible signs that their
domain was about to be invaded by "a dis
tinguished parsonage"
When it was the within of the prince to
take n Surreptitious peep into stageland or
to visit some footlght favorite in his or her
dressing room, air of mystery crept
over the proceedings, and should any MEM
Der of the company or employe of the thea
ter recognize the royal visitor it was as
much as his or her place worth to sig
nifty it by a lettering look, a whispered
word or a second glance.
Experienced artists knew this we'll but
woe to the disngenuous chorus girl who
dared to recognize that portly parsonage
in ordinary evening dress who stood a few
minutes at the wings toying with huge
unlighted cigar as anything but a 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 1t re-
corded to his credit, without any apparent
discrimination to beauty or attractive
ness. she must answer him. as she would
any ordinary stage frequenter, affably, but
without the smallest intimation that she
aware of his identity. Should she in
advertently, or through inexperience. 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 reward of that most valuable mental
asset.
The actor who tells the secret of the
kings only appearance as PLAYER saws he
is now divulging it for the first time In
1S'l2 he was playing at the Savoy Theater
London. in The Colonel of Dragons"
Albert Edwards most intimate theatrical
friend was George Grossmith. the Bun
thorne OF the opera at the Savoy The
prince was anxious to appear 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 it
Tor him. but Grossmith was afraid 1t was
an unheard-of adventure for an English
prince. When the Woman of the Guard
went on at the Savoy the prince renewed
his supplcations. 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 Edward de-
Cided he must have Sir Francis KnoIlys, his
secretary. with him. They were fitted out
with costumes and went on in the second
act. rev members of the company knew
IL, and the audience never dreamed of it,