Fair play., 1906-01-20
STREET is THEIR STAGE.
Former Vaudeville Artists Who Make
a Living with open-Air
Shows.

Several actors who were formerly
fair salaries are now playing with the
asphalt pavements for a stage, the
curbstOne for footlights and the audi
ence composed of those who have no
alternative other than standing room
only, unless they are box occupants
and watch the show from apartment
house windows. Any one of dozen
reasons may be given for the appear
ance of these actors on the streets In
stead OF in a regularly appointed the
ater. The fact remains, however. says
the New York Press, that they make
a fslr living and amuse thousands IN
their daily travels. They frequent ths
upper West side section, as coins are
supposed TO flow more freely there.
One team" of four men makes more
than fair living They give a really
Interesting and humorous perform
ance. One of them is a jugger, an
other is an acrobat, the third is a
musical comedian and the fourth acts
as the orchestra and money collector.
The juggler carries a wooden box
containing his juggling outfit, while
the acrobat carries the stage, con
sistlng OF a large rug, rolled under his
arm. The musical comedian has
large drum slung over his shoulder.
On each side of the drum a drumstck
is attached, while on the top are Gym
balls. long rope reaching down tC
| the mans shoes is attached to both
| the drumstiCk and the cymbals. ON
the end of the rope is a loop. The
orchestra consists of a harmonica and
| accordion, both cleverly played at the
same time by the fourth man
Having selected their "theater."
The acrobat spreads the rug in the
middle of the roadway. The juggler
opens his box and begins to toss
about rubber balls, knives. forks, q
lighted lamp and other articles. The
acrobat does some high and lofty
tumbling on his rug. The orchestra
then strikes up some lively tune.
The musical comedian places his heel
into the loop of the rope and stands
on one foot and with the other pulls
the rope that sets the drum and Gym.
balls playing.
AS be hops around on one foot, like
monkey on a stick, with the drum
and cymbals crashing, he makes all
beholders laugh.
The team takes nearly half hour
to give their act They never tail to
draw a large and interested crowd
them with coins.
Another actor. cornet player
makes his appearance only toward
evening, because. as he confessed, he
is ashamed to be seen in the day
time.
This young man was a clever cor
net player a few years ago. He was
on the vaudeville stage and earned
a handsome salary. He fought in the
Spanish American war and lost ar
arm. After that he could not play
his instrument as well as he once
could, and engagements were hard tC
get
He appears on the streets dressed
in a soldiers uniform. AS he stands
on dark and nearly deserted street
an empty sleeve dangling by his side
playing Taps" in mournful key, h'
presents a pathetic picture.
Then there is a team of two ne
groes. both of whom were on th'
vaudeville stage a few years ago
when the country had the ragtlm'
craze. When that died out they
with many others, we're no longe
wanted. One of them plays banj
quite well, while the other does cloi
dancing and the Cakewalk, They fin
ism their act with singing once popua
ragtime songs.