The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1903-09-06


other morning. We met at our local Ly
ceurn. the Alcazar. and the popular little
actress had consented 10 talk at mo-
rneut's notice. knew, therefore, that
the trim, black silk gown, with its fronts
Of delicate embroideries, the white, sheer
waist. with its suggestion Of mysterious
laoes and flushed satins beneath. the tie
that repeated the frank blue Of the eyes,
the chic hat were not donned for me.
Very pretty, very well and younger than
ever the clever Californian looks, and as
we went upstairs to the managerial Of
fee I ventured TO say so. AS the man
ager courteously disappeared TO allow Of
our condolences, Miss Roberts agreed rs
we seated ourselves: yes, hard work
suits me. I suppose. Then. you know, the
makeup one uses tends 10 keep one
young looking"
ct would seem 10 be just the other
way" ] said. but scanned admiringly the
living testimony Of Miss Roberts smooth
cheek. fair and fine as a baby's. Some
day" 7 added, 4 am going TO persuade
an actress to tell me just how TO be beau
uful. But I'd rather hear some
thing about The Unwelcome Mrs. Hatch
to-day. il you don't mind" This was be-
fore the actress trfumphs Of last Mon
day evening.
Miss Roberts began, thoughtfully re-
garding me:
1T is just a matter Of keeping the
pores alive, ] think-don't you7-the COM
plexion, not Mrs. Hatch" she laughingly
explained
] turned the other tanned cheek to her
and asked:
What DO you think think? But not
even an experts opinion on pores shall
divert me from Mrs. Hatch to-day. 1
want 10 know why she was unwelcome,
why New York would have none Of the
play and what persuaded you TO produce
it2'
II don't know why they did not like
the play in New York" Miss Roberts be-
gan in her comfortable, low-toned way.
But they didn't. Outside Of New York,
however, it drew tremendously and I'm
sure they'll like the play here"
Did you see Mrs. Fiske in it2" I asked
Yes. I saw her in New York and liked
TIE part and the play immensely. You
know our foremost actress" and Miss
Roberts bent her sunny head in graceful
homage to Mrs. Fiske, would hardly
produce anything that was not at least
worthy
I said I was sure Of it. and Mrs. Fishes
other admirer continued:
Il saw Immediately that the play was
one in which the public would Ike to see
me- The role Of Mrs. Hatch is the Cam
ilIish sort Of thing, intensely emotional,
and it appeals very strongly to me"
why was Mrs Hatch unwelcome? "a
taking title that" I asked.
Mrs. Hatch has left her husband
twelve years before the action Of the play
begins" Miss Roberts explained. "The
story suggests that she left him for just
cause. but it is one Of the weaknesses Of
the play that the fact OF her own guilt
or innocence is not fully established. The
suggestion, however, is that she is an in
nocent woman and the husband is dis
covered married to his former mistress
But the circumstances Of Mrs. Hatch s
disappearance are made TO tell against
her. Her guilt is assumed and she has
been compelled TO promise that she will
not see her daughter For twelve years
she keeps her promise. Then, hearing in
san Francisco. where she has lived In the
meantime Of her daughters coming mar
riage, she determines TO see her, and does
so in disguise. But you can see where
the unwelcOmeness comes in"
"Rather the East Lynne kind Of
thing i suggested.
"A little" Miss Roberts grants. But
you viii say that the first act is one of
the most original and unique that you
have seen. II has the clever feature Of
putting the necessary explanatory mat
ter into the mouths Of the leading char
acters. So often when the threads of the
plot are given to a housemaid or a foot
man they are lost. The audience pays
no attention, and the play in consequence
suffers"
"suu, I think the audience usually
listens rather eagerly 70 the Introductory
matter"
II find II very frequently forgets all
about IL in. the slamming Of seats, the
fuss OF late corners and so on the little
star insists. Not So though, if It be
given 10 the leading people. The strong
act Of the play is the third-there arc
four-of course, where the two women
meet Mrs. Hatch has obtained admis-
sion 10 the home as a dressmaker' S
assistant and tries on her daughter s
wedding dress. Here the second wife
comes in. recognizes her and then-zip.
Mrs. Hatch does not make herself known
then to the daughter. however, but does
in the last act when she dies There is
% course. a lover, whom Mrs Hatch VIII
not marry, il viii bring shame upon
him. It's good play, though-a very
good one, I think. II would amuse you
10 see the children. We have thirty OF
them in the second act. Oh. but they
get on ones nerves.
You know, always said Miss Rob
erts continued after a pause that
would never have any supers and never
travel with a baggage car If ] were a
star And here I am with a sixty-fooi
baggage car getting sidetracked all over
the country. and thirty children besidesr
You are Californian. aren't you, Miss
Roberts," 7 asked. wondering then about
the pre-star days.
And proud Of it." the actress replied
prettiiy.
Where did you begin your career?''
Right here" pointing a decisive little
finger toward the auditorium. And, my
tie difference between then and now,
was three years here before 1 ever spoke
line"
Doing what? Not
Yes. suping" and Miss Roberts
laughed her mellow little gurgle; pulling
chairs around. busting the piano, carry
fr-rr "A a II rr~or nj u linz