The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-28
LILLIAN Russell Outgrown the
s'Fairy'' Period, of Life.
Even More Beautiful OFF the
Stage Than On.
TROUSERS NO MORE.
viii Never AgaInAppear in Such
Horrid Things.
Appearing Now in Her New Play
"Lady TeazIe.''

beauty SLDuAQ nave us OWL AODlCHGC
oblige; n Emerson's fine saying that
beauty is its own excuse for being is
but half a truth. Merely being beauti-
full may suffice in flower, mountain,
meadow. sea; even in tiger burning
bright" in the jungle. or in kitten new
ing on a doorstep. But beauty is hu-
man shape involves a further obliga-
ton having a debt to nature that only
deeds can liquidate. Hauteur and
aioofness may lave ar alluring look
on canva and a value of fascination
IN poetry, but Lady Clara We're de We're
In life never pays her debt, and has no
true excuse.
That is a r-hapsodical way, no doubt,
TO introduce an interview with a favor
tie actress, but Miss Lillian Russells
beauty is so beautifully borne that it
seems essential to preface everything
with recognition of a graciOusness that
hard conditions of life on the stage
have not abated by so much as one jot
OF indifference. "Good-natured" Is the
phrase most frequently employed by
persons who have met her, but there is
need of more refinement of delineation
than that contains TO express the tact
ruL sympathetic activities Of This artist,
not only in her intimacies but in her
chance acquaintanceships-
There are many pretty stories of Miss
Russelrs fondness for giving. In the
days at Weber & Fields every Christ
mas, as well as all the birthdays she
could get knowledge of. signihe little
surprises for the people around her. If
all h players and theater attaches
who wear scarfpins bestowed upon
them by Miss Russell were to be mar
ghaled for an occasion, they would
make a considerable brigade. To the
feminine members of that eOmpa
and Of h company now playing Lady
Teazle" at the Casino. New York, this
actress has been a kind of Lady Boun-
HfT1Tl ana II &c mn fnnnfFT1. touch
to relate that many a chorus girl who
had not yet reached the point of pros
perity where she could own her own
automobile has had her way made cas-
fer for her by this shining star. And
IN return they pay her affectionate
homage. So at least one beautiful wo-
man is aware of beauty's noblesse
oblige.
It was after the close of a matinee Of
Lady Teazle' that I was permitted to
gather Impressions of Miss Russell in
her dressing room at the Casino. says
the critic of the New York Mail, Ed
A Bingham. Dressing rooms are not
pretty, usually; but this one was. The
walls were hidden by soft hangings
with piHk-rose designs. and a screen
IN similar fancy partially shut IN the
dressing table with its confusing array
Of things that were none of my bust
ness, but evidently of great usefulness.
The maid was still loosening necklaces
and brooches from Miss RuSsells neck
and gown when 1 was ushered in, and
the beautiful face of the star was still
IN makeup for the footlight glare
And. Charliel Be sure the table is
large enough this time, won't you2"
MY dinner" she explained to me. Sat
urdays I live in the theater, you see. If
you think you can endure to look at me
through this rogue, I'll not remove it
now. And what can I tell you?"
"Ill begin in the traditional way
said / How do you like TO be Lady
Teazle2"
Better than anything else I've ever
done. except the first part I played in
this theater. That was in The Grand
Duchess and III let you find out how
many years 6 it was. There are some
things it wouldn't be nice for you to
ask me. you know"
When she enters in the first act. in her
costume of pale blue she is a picture
that makes the audience gasp. She wore
the white, shimmaring gown of the
second act While we talked, and she
was adian Blu she picked up an old
photograph that lay on her dressing ia
bic. It showed a slim girl in tights, of
the style of another day.
"That was when 1 was at Pastors"
Miss Russell laughingly explained. No
more costumes like that for mel"
But how about your trouserys at
Weber & Fields'?"
Never again. I want to forget those
horrid things. 7 want to have the who'll
experience out Of my mind I would
not walk down in striped
rouse and Prince Albert coat, and
why on earth should I do so on the
stage2 I am in favor Of being true to
life in the theater. I could hardly find
words to express by contempt for the
man who would walk abroad in frock
and bonnet and it is almost as much
cut of place for me to appear before
audiences dressed as a man. I shivered
at the thought of getting nto those
trousers at first. but I was won over to
taking the terrible step against my
will"
There were many callers at the dress
ing room, where Miss Russell held a