Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-15
DRAMA

responded on but one occasion. and this on
the opening night of The Eternal City
TWO years ago. Miss Allen acquitted her
sell IN fine style. Lately. in Philadelphia.
on the opening night of The Winters
Taie, the demand for a speech after the
famous pastoral scene was so insistent that
denial became impractical. After hearing
I'm; ;a speech the audience, If 1t had had any
loea tnat Miss Allen was lacking In a
sense OF humor, was entirely dsabused
w men an actress has spent tive hours ut
terhg Shakespeares matchless dction, II
Is rather severe trial to be unexpectedly
called upon for a speech Humor how
ever, would hardly be expected at such a
Juncture. Indeed. the difficulty of saving
anything NICELY appropriate on such an oc-
casion Is apparent. Many an actor has
tried to do so, but seldom with success
Gafrick, however was especially happy In
nus addresses. while Macready, although
a man OF rare ability. stubbornly refused
10 mar the picture" Kean was possessed
or happy expression and ever smoke with
credit to his scholarship. Cooke was yirile
ana at times felicitous while Irving has
ever been impressively judicious In his re-
marks. " ms ~
Miss Aliens little speech is worthy of
preservation, first on account OF its brevity
and, secondly, in consequence of its deli
cate wit Here is the speech, and q model
In It's way:
IT Is unfortunate that the author Mr.
shakespeare, is not in the house. As feel
that his spirit is here, hesitate to express
the pleasure and gratitude he must feel in
consequence of your warmly expressed ap-
probation of his comedy"
Those who heard this speech have since
peen asking themselves whether or no IL
was not intended as a remonstrance against
the appropriateness of lady speeohmak-
ers. Anyway, for an actress on such an
occasion to manifest delicate sense of
humor came in the nature of pleasant
surprise.
| THE CONFESSIONS OF MARCUS
| Marcus Mayer, globe trotter, manager i'm
presario, raconteur, legislator and demo-
/ crat, has been in the city this week ahead
| or the Lulu CHASER company. With char
acteristic modesty Marcus dislikes to talk
| Of his own achievements, but In a moment
| OF seif-sacrifice unbosomed himself He
said: Few people have crossed the At
| iantic more than a dozen times, but have
| the proud distinction of having crossed that
| ocean forty-fve times l only returned to
| this country short time ago and make
| IL point to keep abreast of all that takes
place behind the footlights. / have been
! manager for every European star that has
| appeared in this city, including Sarah
Bernhardt. Henry Irving and Adelina Patti
In regard to London theatricals. The
Duchess of DanZig,' THE Cingalee" and
| veronique' are having quite vogue and
all are to be brought to this country.
George Edwardes. the English manager
VIII accompany the first mentioned musi-
cal comedy. making his first visit to
America. My observation is that dramatic
plays, as rule. are not successful in Lon
DON The peoples taste runs more to mu-
steal comedy"
Does your contract with Nine. Calye
| hold goOd?" he was asked.
Yes, but I have postponed It until next
year. Then L shall take her to Mexico as
well as tour this country"