Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-01-28


Brier Bush" company the en-
gagement was specially notable on an
other account Ths was the fact that
the veteran Stoddart, the grand ole
man Of the stage" was probably max
Ing his final appearance upon the
boards, where for so many years he
had occupied SO commanding position
lie himself took pathetic interest in
walking around the house as II view
ing II for the last time, and TO his old
associates Of the Home Dramatic club
ex-Gov. Wells, Mr.. Spencer, Mr. Whit
ney and others. he said with tears IN
His eyes, that he very much doubted
whether he would ever sec Salt Lake
again. "The Bonnie Brer Bush will
IN all likelihood be laid upon the shelf
at the close OF this season. Mr. stod-
dart. who Is now IS years old has an
ambition however. to round out his
stage life by continuing until he Is so,
and II his health continues as good
as It now Is, and arrangements can be-
made. he may appear two years more
IN some old revival like Saints and
Sinners" or "The Long Strike" This,
however, Is matter Of uncertainty,
and depends upon his manager, Krke
LaShelle.
No one now upon tho boards occupies
such an affectionate place IN the hearts
OF Salt Lake theater goers as MFR. stod-
dart. and whether his lines for the re-
mainder OF his eventful life carry him
before the footlghts, or retire him to
private life. he viii always be rcmem-
bered here with the kindliest regard
and the sncerest wishes for his well
fare.
Since the death OF Mrs. Gilbert and
the permanent retirement OF Joseph
Jefferson, Mr.. Stoddart IL easily the
first veteran Of the present day stage,
lie has been on the boards for exactly
70 years, and during that time has
played n list OF parts that would stretch
cut IN almost endless space were they
enumerated Beginning as boy In
England MIR. Stoddart received his enr-
ly training IN that country, and came
TO America IN 1854 where he has since
been u conspicuous figure on the stage
When he landed IN New York there
were but two theaters there OF prom
inence-Burton's Playhouse on Cham
bers street, and Wallaols thenter ut
the corner OF Broadway and Broome
street, where he made his first APP
pearance. He waA long Identified with
the Wallaok productions, aud after
ward supported Laura keene and other
prominent stars Of that day From
there he went to A. NJ, Palmer's great
company, being the principal character
OF that organization for many years
In recent Interview he tells Of the
difference between the old system and
that OF the present time 1.-THE actor
had very pleasant time IN those
days." said Mr.. Stoddart There were
30 road tours but he worked for 10
months, taking his vacation for two
Just like amy other sort Of person. His
engagement continued year after year
uninterrupted by the precarous chances
OF success and failure that now con-
tinue 70 confront him. II was a great
training too, for one had to be ready
TO play almost any sort OF a part, and
you see this rather stimulated ones
versatility, Things are different now
for when manager has a new play,
he very properly looks about him TO
find some player who IL peculiarly
ntted for The part he has IN mind. There
was great difference on those days In
the matter OF salary. Very few salaries
exceeded $50 week, and the average
was about 800 | remember that both
Laura keone and Lester Wallack re
eeived 500 a week and people turne,
and pointed them out on this account
But we all lived comfortably and man
OF us saved money while the theatc
prospered. The prices OF seats Wen
much cheaper, the highest ut Walncl
was 20 cents, and / remember distinct
~ on one occasion this was increased e
III. storm OF criticism was ralnod
upon the house, l believe II was thu
TAX OF the town for at least a Weeh
However, gradually time has change
all these things, and now people are
Wiling TO pay much more for enter
tainments that sometimes think
would not have been tolerated then"
The Theater next week win be the
scene OF unusual activity. three NATL
hees and five night performances being
given. The events open on Tuesday,
Wednesday ana Wednesday afternoon
with return visit from "Shore Acres;"
Thursday afternoon ana evening comes
the well known actor. Charles b. Han
ford, and Friday and Saturday we are
TO see the Harry Beresford company In
new play entitled "Our New Man"
Since the death OF James A. Herne,
his famous play has remained the prop-
erty of Mrs. Herne. and Il has been
matter OF pride with her 10 keep the
standard up 10 that established by her
husband. Mr., Herne's old part viii be
played by Mr., James ~ Galloway, while
Atkins Lawrence fllls the role OF the
thick headed brother. Those two ac-
tors were long Identified with Mr. Herne
and they have retained all his bits of
stage business The others IN the cast
will be fully up TO the old standard
Miss Belle Theadore again appearing
as MA Berry.
Mr. Hanford's Salt Lake bill viii be
"Othello" on Thursday afternoon. and
ut night he will present the famous Old
comedy "D0p Caesar de- BazRn" His
company again includes as leading lady
Miss Marie Drofnah and Mr. Frank
Henning will have the role OF Iago
"Othello" is one OF Mr. Hanford's IA
vorlte roles, and critics say II is his
very best a full scenic production Is
promised for both plays
Harry Beresford is well remembered
from 1.-THE Wrong Mr. Wright" In
which he starred several seasons His
new play, "Our New Man" is written
especially for him, and the Kansas
city papers reviewing II, say that there
- not u pause OF moment or uepfee-
sion In Il from curtain 10 curtain. In
fact, II is said 10 present better oppor-
tunltles FOR the particular brand OF en-
tertalnment furnished by Mr., Beres-
ford, than anything he has yet done
a special attraction In which Mr.
Piper IL taking much interest Is the
coming Of the original Ben Greet COM
pany from London In a production OF
the famous "Everyman," which has
been a wonderful success for years In
London and various parts Of America,
but which has never yet visited SAT-