The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-07-20
At the - -
Theatres

once heard a man say OF Frank Losee
OF the Albee Stock company. after very
pleasant little dinner party at which the
Albee company we're the guests Of honor.
that he is as brilliant and as witty man
as the celebrated after-dinner speaker.
Chauncey Depew. and Is even more gifted
and more entertaining than the latter In
that Mr.. Losee's wit pervades an entire
dinner not merely after IL. | stand
rather In awe OF clever people. although
admire them heartily. but the combina-
ton of cleverness and modesty drives
every sane thougn. from my head.
Ina gine my predicament. therefore. when
found myself in the Green room at
Ketth's awaiting a reply To the message
the call boy had Just taken. together with
my card TO Mr. Losee requesting an inter-
view. II Is no secret that Mr.. Losee.
while by no means recfuse, shuns social
affairs except with his own particular
circle OF friends. He devotes most OF his
time to studying the different characters
he assumes, reading, Ca healthy combina-
ton OF the old classics and modern fction
judicicusiy chosen) and out-of-door exer-
cises, such as horseback riding. walking.
boating, swimming and golf He II
typically n mans man. and has the manly
strength that women most admire. SUCH
a man Is a most difficult person 10 ap-
proach. and felt that he wo,dd be Justly
impatient at my bothering him and taking
up so much OF hrs time. ! ventured to
confide this much 10 Mr.. Nicander when
ne came through the Green room on the
way TO his dressing room, whistling
pretty little French song: who's turn to-
day?" he asked "Mr Losee7 Oh. you'll
enjoy meeting him. He's bully chap.
No nonsense about him. but good. sound,
common sense. And ipteresting7 Well.
Just walt and see He's been every place.
done everything. and knows everything
Just let him talk ahead about anything
he chooses. and promise you very
pleasant half hour but don't try to get
him 10 say pretty things about himself.
Must go now. for it's almost time for the
overture. Here comes Mr.. Losee.'
He had answered my message In person.
and with a few courteous words Of
apology for having kept me waiting a
few seconds. he made me feel thoroughly
at ease with that subtle charm Of the
true gentleman and which II an important
characteristic ~ this artist on the stage
as we'll "a off.
isn't Is very warm dressing UP SO
many times a day this kind of weather."
Really believe Il is cooler in here
than anywhere I've been today. Early
this morning Mr.. Byrne and went out
were glad 10 return 70 the theatre where
the heat doesn't seem 10 have penetrated
yet The only thing warm about this
is the wearing OF wigs
II suppose you couldn't get along with
out it7" I asked.
Indeed. no. Napoleons hair was 60
entirely different from mine Napoleon
must he exact"
''Rut IL not the acting Of the character
more important than the make-up7"
mo, indeed. Makeup is the first es-
sentiai. II the makeup OF a chara cter II
faulty an actor fails to get his audiences
attention from the start One can tell
by the spontaneity OF the applause which
greets him II one has been successful in
his makeup. but sometimes a lack OF ap
plause is more eloquent than n hearty
demonstration. The main thing Is to get
the attention when one makes his first
appearance. and then II Is a simple mat
ter TO hold II.
Easy for you" I said sotto voice and
asked aloud. isn't II rather difficult 20
make UP for a celebrity1'
TT simply requires study and thought
When knew / was to play Napoleon,
I hunted up some authoritative pictures
OF him. and brushed UP his character by
reading several books on him. Then. IL
was easy, after having. a definite, clear
cut portrait OF him in my minds eve. -
put a touch here, and a certain effect
there. get the necessary wig. and assume
the little mannerisms and tricks OF the
famous emperor"
but in the case Of a character that IL
not an historical one. how do you set
about making up for hiu?'
THAT. OF course, is the result OF
Imagination, and-brains. Brains are an
ohc In HrNfeaeiOn.
one succeeds In II 10 corresponding de-
gree with his brains. The things a man
say. or does give the cue 10 his character,
and then, having grasped the character,
the next sfep ~ 10 make him look the
part This applies in oil cases except
IN the case OF the modern up-to-date
villain. About 10 or 80 years ago II was
the accepted fact that tho villain should
blacken his eyebrows. have deep scowl.
look murderous. and say Ugh very ugly.
every once in a while. so there would
be no doubt that you was the villain; now
all Is changed. and the villain must look
guileless, Innocent mothers boy I'm
order 20 win the trusting girls heart or
gain the confidence OF the bank cashier
whom ne robs IT'S a good thing villa.ny
isn't contagious. else / would be one OF
the deepest dye. for I've played almost
every kind OF villain imaginable.
somehow can't get away from them. y.
g. Willard, one, II not the best. OF Eng
lands greatest artists. had the same
struggle to get -eEata-NIllaIn- roles
and in order 10 escape them had TO be-
come a star under his own management.
have offered several times 10 play the
role of an upright. respectable manffo
less money than has been offered me TO
play the character Of the man who causes
all the mischief. but my offers have al
ways been declined. and I've been given
more money for depicting the villains"
Then you don't like villsins7"