Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-21
ABOUT PLAYS PLAYERS AND PLAYHOUSES

portion to the salary received. Here Is Il
little story from New York, which shows
how Plympton came to be dropped from
the "allstar'' cast Of Romeo and Juliet"
Liebier d Co. had on the road:
James O'Neills sudden determination to
play Mercutio in the all-star cast or
Romeo and Juliet may settle that actor
fate for next season. He has been very
fond of Shakespearean roles, and has long
wanted to appear in revival but until
this time no proper opportunity presented
itself Years ago O'Nelll played Mercutio
TO the Juliet Of Adelaide Nelson, and he
has often expressed the desire to take up
that part again. When at the close of the
New York engagement on last Saturday
night. Miss Eleanor Robson broke down
dered a complete rest for several days,
word was at once given to all the other
members Of the, company that the tour
would be suspended, but not for more than
three or four days. The only member of
the cast TO take exception to this was
self TO Silver Lake, in Massachusetts and
sent word to Liebler q Co. that he did not
approve OF their conduct He added that
to him they would find him at his summer
resort, but no further communication will
take place between him and that firm.
George G. Tyler, manager for Liebler e
Co. said "Plympton's action amounts to
sheer ingratitude For four years he has
we have put up with a good deal of his
nonsense simply for the sake of peace. He
had fat part In In the Palace of the
King and after the long engagement in
this city 1t was booked for five weeks of
one-night stands. Plympton at once de-
clared that he would not go on the road
under such conditions, and withdrew from
the cast. Last spring he was with Miss
Viola Allen In The Hunchback and the
day after the season ended at the Gar
rick Miss Allen wanted some scene pic
lures taken and asked Plympton to come
to the theater and pose. He would not,
saying: My contract closed last evening
and l will not appear again When
Plympton's present refusal was received
ONeill was In Manager Tyler's office, and
IN expressing his sympathy, referred again
20 the old days when he played Mercutio
himself. Tyler proposed that O'Nelll should
take the part now but he declared that he
didn't remember the lines in the first
place. and that, anyhow. he meant to sail
for Europe next week. Tyler coayed and
| finally ONeill told him to send the part to
his hotel An hour later O'Neil called up
by telephone and said he would be ready
70 go to Providence with the company
As q result of this. one of the objects of
Tyler's visit TO London next week will be
10 secure, II possible q woman whom he
can star with O'Neill In a Shakespear rean
revival In the fall. There is no play avail
able Tor the veteran actor, and he is more
than anxious to try his hand at Shake
speare u the proper arrangements can be
made, Tyler will spend but five weeks on
the other side, being forced to return here
| by August ], when rehearsals for his
seven new productions will begin One
week OF his time abroad will be spent in
Florence, in discussing the possibilities Of
| another American tour with Signora Duse:
the rest Of the time will be given to London
and Paris where final arrangements are
| TO be made with Vesta Tilly and Reiane