The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-30

mel Isn't that the best joke you ever heard.
She comes here TO interview me, and she
doesn't know what to say. Why don't you
ask me II like my role IN La Sorciere'2
The last interview I had was yesterday
twenty-four hours since I've been asked
how like the role in ia Sorciere.'
The interviewed jiggled piece Of paper
out Of her shopping bag, but wisely said
nothing.
Stella, she's got q piece Of paper there
with questions on 1t. Isn't that too funny?'
The interviewer puts out an in perious hand.
"Give me that paper Show me what's
written on 1t. You wontP sha'n't answer
| any questions. shall not answer, any
way. but now Its twice over unless you let
me see.
She wants to know what thing Of the
National Theatre2 Stella, did you hear?
She wants to know what think Of Ma
tional Theatre. A National Theatre4 Let
me think What do think Of q National
Theatre? Is 1t safe to tell herr Shall un-
burden my soul here and now, and tell herr
Tell me what you think Of 1t yourself. and
then I'll tell you.
She fixed her eyes ON space, clasped
her hands, lowered her voice to a musical
monotone and recited:
| Il assume by the National Theatre you
mean a subsidized theatre. and subsidized
theatre would mean, to my thinking, one
In which the commercial or official spirit
would rule over the purely artistic, 1t
coul6 rot help but do that as the directors
would naturally be chosen outside Of the
artistic professions. 1t would be loss OF
individualism, while 1t would undoubtedly
place the theatre on q surer foundation
financially. That is, I understand, the great
fault that is found with the subsidized
theatres In Germany and other contin entail
countries 1t Is, however. an interesting
experiment, and America Is fond Of try
ing experiments
Then Mrs Campbell looked proudly at
the interviewed. Gould any one ask for
anything better than that2 Have some
more toast?
Now what2 My role in La Sorciere.'
Do ask me that and get it over"
Goaded to the desired point, the question
was asked.
What do think Of my role in La Sor-
ciere?' am tired OF tumbling and scream
ing. Look at that thumb! Do you see
how l have dislocated it? My last fall.
Naturally, any one would like piece like
that. They couldn't help it. More toast''
Mrs. Campbell helped to toast generously.
rememb ering, apparently. about the future
condition Of the interviewed In case the in
terview was denied.
why is New York always dug up? Some
body said that he thought it would be quite
pretty city II it was ever finished. livery
time come the streets are torn to pieces
again.
Oh you can't get thing out OF me. I
have been shopping and 1 couldn't talk
to save my life. Yes, you are going to ask
me if like the shops. l thought so. Well.
1 do and-yes. know the question. too.
can always tell when that question Is COM
ing This gown was made by New York
modiste and some Of my stage gowns are
made by the same woman
The conversation was interrupted for a
second while aLlegram from Bernhardt
to her friend Mrs. Campbell was read.
Then, resuming:
DO l consider that the memoirs Of
great actress are really valuable? I see
what YOU mean. OF course Il would be
very hard to tell the truth about your con-
temporaries unless you GOULD say something
truthfully to their advantage. You would
not care to be critical and if you were not
al solutely judicial in your attitude your
work would be without value, Memoirs,
while the writer is living, should say.
generally speaking. were a mistake. but In
this case l cannot express an opinion. /
make one rule in my interviews-I cannot
discuss my friends, even impeIsonally.
They are sacred to me-
In her reception room, later, tie role |
of interviewer was given mp and Mrs.
Campbell spoke seriously. A question
had been asked as to the advisability Of
two stars. man and woman, playing to-
gether and she said:
Il believe it is generally conceded that
in situation like that the woman attracts
more attention than a man. Why it is |