The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-10-14


fected that way every time.
He IL the only actor that could thus
disentanGie from himself and his part
have seen all the great players or the
day. l say this In great; that In wonder
full am Impressed: I am moved But IL
Is all acting. never get away from the
How does II happen that we are fortu-
nate enough 20 have the opportunity OF
seeing you in vaudeville?" ] asked.
well, there were many weeks between
May and November. and while waiting
for rehearsals for the production Mr.. Bel
asco 10 to make at his Belasco theatre
next month. I decided 20 All in some OF
the time I'm another way. played sixteen
weeks OF comic opera at San Francisco
and this In my third week In vaudeville.
I really should be rehearsing for Mr..
Bella ascos production. the name or which
only God and Mr.. Belasco know. but he
very kindly released me until next Mon
day. This is not, however. my hrst expe-
Renee In vaudeville. was one OF the
very hrst dramatic actors 70 enter the
vaudeville heid."
Was II not then considered a loss OF
distinction for a legitimate actor 10 ap-
pear In vaudeviiie?" was my next query.
He started a triie. and sat erect. saying
In his f,rm. serious tone. not at all like the
comedian who had 30 convuised the audi
ence a few moments before: by no
means To begin with. don't like the
word legitimate"
you would suggest" ] murmured as
he paused q moment.
why, Just actor No actor. II he is
deserving of the name. will ever lose dig
nifty OF distinction by sSpearing in vaude-
vilie.I remember once having an excellent
Illustration OF this. was on my way 10
London with the Augustin DAILY company.
and while crossing, Mr.. DAILY announced
ole evening that he intended 10 give
concert for the benefit OF the steerage.
Miss Rehan. Chauncey Depew. Mr.. DAILY
himself, and I were TO contribute 20 the
program. and Mr.. DAILY said to ms ED. all
you need DO IL TO give some OF your i'm
presentations. and needn't tell any stories,
for Mr.. Depew and are going 20 DO
that" mentally decided TO give some
stories first. thinking the steerage would
appreciate the stories but would not like
limitations or people whom they had prob
pbly never seen or even heard OF When
the night came. was astonished 10 find
that my limitations had gone hundred
timer better than ever before. and In
congra tulating me later when I intended
COINS into vaudeville Mr. DAILY said: my
boy have for q motto: Make good. and
you will not lose dignity. Only those who
fail, lose dignity" And several months
afterward. when was playing at Proc
tors theatre in New York. Mr.. DAILY made
me an offer TO play leading business with
his company. and I jumped from a Sun
day night concert at Proctors vaudeville
theatre to the leading role I'm the DAILY
production the very next night No. In
deed, one cannot lose dignity In vaudeville
II ne does his very best. I shall miss the
Independence. the freedom OF vaude-
Vile"
And we shall certainly miss you from
vaudeville" I murmured. What did you
say the name Of the new Belasco pro-
duction tsp
II didn't say" ne said. with a low
laugh. the hrst had heard from this
serious. deep thinking artist. and then
getting serious. ne continued: II really
don't know myself. I simply know that
am signed 10 play Q leading role and
that the salary was satisfactory. The rest
trust to Mr.. Belasco with every con-
ndsnce. and really. I'm Just as curious
as you are"
To cover my embarrassment at being
accused Of curiosity (Think OF 1t! The
Matinee Girl curiousi Well. never
started to take my leave. after thanking
Mr.. Stevens for one OF the most enter
tanning interviews 1 have ever had.
THE MATINEE GIRL
An early attraction at the Empire the
atre will be 1.-The Volunteer Organist."
which has a powerful temperance lesson
and which Is founded on the Incidents
OF the song Of the same name. The play
will arrive In time TO assist In the cam
paign OF the Prohibitionists In this state.
Across IN. Rockies" one o, the new
meIodramAs OF the season, will follow
The Daxxicr' at the Park theatre. The
play is an interesting one with some
sensat tional scenes and has never been
played In Providence.
Those VINO enjoy a good laugh. a witty
joke. good singing and pretty girls dain
tily costumed and a jolly time generally
Will miss all these should they fail to see
the Merry Maidens" company at the
Westminster this week.
From the moment the curtain goes up
on "A Hot Old Time" at the Imperial
until It's nnal fall. the audiences are con-
tinualiy holding their sides. shrieking at
the funny things on the stage. "A Hot
Old Time" this season Is presented In an
etnire new dress OF scenery, costumes
and pretty faces. A few OF the peopie
who scored particularly In the cast last
81 ason. have been retained but all .hs
business and 'okes are new. novel ano
original. ar1 the production as a whoie
has surprised the patrons Of the I'm
pei ial by - magnitude and beauty A
number OF new ani clever specialties arc
introduced. and ths chorus is made up
81 beautiful. Chow girls"
one Of the greatest mob scenes ever
staged fs a feature OF the performance
OF mo Wedding Bells For Her" the
new drama by the author OF THE Fatal
Wedding" which comes to the Imperial
next week. mob OF illiterate foreign
ers. incited and encouraged by unscrup-
ulous men, invade the home OF one OF the
owners Of great coal mine. determined
TO wreck and murder a man who has
been their best friend. This scene night
~ arouses audiences 10 a high degree
OF enthusiasm. and Is regarded by expert
stage managers as masterpiece OF
stase-craft. mo Wedding Bells for
Her" is a strong. logical and consistent
drama. It's main theme being taken from
the great coal strike.
Miss Amelia Bingham will present her
company at the Providence Opera house
the nrst three nights next week. matinee