The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-10-21

CHAT WITH II. b. IRVING !

BY MARIE B. SCHRADER.

similar, but more disastrous, accident dur
ing his last appearance in New York"
When asked why he had never appeared
in the United States during his fathers
tours, Mr. Irving replied: 81 acted with
my father but once during his entire ca
reer The Merchant of Venice was the
play, which was acted by an all-star cast
, Father was Shylock / played Salano
and never once met my father during the
entire performance, so that we have never
been actually on the stage together. l be-
gan my career independent of my father
for the reason that | thought ii better to
do so. One deserves much more credit
for any achievement made by ones self
unaided; don't you think so? l am sure
that father felt that way about it. 1t is
quite responsibility TO assume the pro-
fessonal guidance of son or daughter,
and | felt that father had enough respon-
! sbilities Personally | admire the man
who stands alone. and so | shaped my
work accordingly.
81 made my first professional appear
ance with Kate Rorl1e. one of the most
charming women we have ever had on our
stage No one in London is more hieh
thought of than Miss Ror<e and her sister
Mary, who is also an excellent actress.
Miss Rorke made a tremendous hit. and
lightful love scene together, which caught
the public fancy Previous to that time
| had only appeared in amateur perform
ances at oxford.
Although satisfied with my success in
modern comedies at first, ambition caused
me to Yearn for Shallespearean roles, and
it is to Ben Greet that l owe my first OPP
portunity in 4 wider sphere Mr.. Greet
gave me Hamlet Romeo, Benedict, Orlan-
do and the others about which L had
dreamed. 1t was while with Mr.. Greet
i that / met Miss Dorothea Baird. now Mrs
Irving She commenced at the lowest
rung of the ladder, and steadily climbed to
her present position. What she has gained
she deserves for she served a difficult
apprenticeship. She was playing with the
Greet company when her chance presented
itself Du Maurier. the author 'Trilby,
was looking about for an actress for the
title role of the play. which was soon to
have its first English presentation. He
had consulted number of actresses. and
had been advised by his friends. each of
whom recommended some one of his ac
quaintance. one day he stopped to
glance at some pictures of our company
in Shakes pearean scenes. He was at
tracted at once by my wife's appearance.
personal interview followed, in which
he told her that the first time he saw her
picture he had exclaimed. That's Trilby"
She made a great success, and justified
Mr.. Du Maurier's selection,
"I understand that the Ben Greet play
ers are very favorably received in Amer
lea. Their open-air performances are also
popular in England. The one disa greeable
feature of the sky and woods for a stage
setting is the horrible uncertainty of the
weat her. One never knows when the ele-
ments will interfere with ones most beau
tiful speeches. Many times I have played
in a thunder storm.
shakespeare is i'm constant demand in
England. IT is impossible to have long
Shakcspearean runs for we must remem-
Der that some of his plays are always be-
ing acted, and that the public is well ac-
quainted with them; but what other plays