Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-20

alter, where he remained year. While he
was there the Pittshurg Opera House,
which stands today. was opened and Mr..
Crompton Joined its stock company ap-
bearing in the support of Charles Fechter,
when he christened the house in February,
1870, with "Ruy Bias" Mr.. Crompton rang
up the curtain on that memorable first
night of the Smoky City theater and re-
manned member of its stock company
eight years. The management of the house
continually changed and John Ellsler was
one of those who directed its fortunes.
Finally Mr.. Crompton's turn came and he
qualified acting manager and treasurer.
But ne returned to New York in 1878 for
season at the then Broadway Theater,
which had previously been Woods Muse
UNI, and later became Days Theater There
he supported George Edgar AMI Ada Caven-
dish. the English actress
The season of 1880 found Mr. Crompton
In the stock company of the Chicago Opera
House, which he left at Christmas time to
go out with James A. Hernes Hearts of
Oak in which he appeared more than five
hundred times during two years on the
road. Following this engagement came
one of five years for Mr.. Crompton with
Daniel Frohman Madison Square Theater
Company. Wnen he went there William
Gillette was serving business manager
of the theater. With this company Mr.
Crompton played not only in all it's New
York engagements but en- tour almost all
over the continent
He played the delightful old man charac-
ter parts with that company in 'Esmer-
aida" Hazel Kirke" and May Blossom
In the latter he created the great part of
Uncle Be rtlett, appearing in it alone 66s
times with Georgia Cayvan. He was seen
in Hazel kirke' over 500 times. After
season on the road with May Fortesque
the English star, Mr.. Crompton engaged
with Eugene Tompkins' production of the
British success, "A Run of Luck, play
ing in the piece thirty-fiye weeks. Then
he went with Richard Mansfield for three
years, accompanying that star to England
for year, returning in 1889.
Upon his return to America he spent a
season with Julia Marlowe, and was then
engaged by Richard Mansfield to originate
the part of the well-to-do tradesman in
with Mansfield. Mr. Crompton joined
Charles Frohman's Empire Theater Stock
Company, in which he created nearly all
the old man characters at that thea
the strong character part of Andrew
Knowiton in Lost Paradise'-the first
play offered by the Empire Company.
In August. 1898, he created the role
of Uncle Todman in Liberty Hall" Later
he created the part of Adam Cherry In Tine
Counseior's Wife" the part of the servant
which was one of the most important roles
in Bohemia" the fine old man part in
Sowing the Wind" and was the original
Clon, the dumb man in Under the Red
Robe While with the Empire Theater
Company he also originated important roles
In Brother Officers, Oscar Wildes I'm
portance of Being Earnest" Henry Es-
mond's 1.-THE Wilderness s.The Unfor-
SEEM, Lord Lackington In Lady Roses
Daughter" Mr.. Samways In "Whitewash-
ing Julia" John Abrams" and he was
in the cast OF Mrs. Danes Defense" when
1t closed it's season with the last perform
aEce ever given in the famous old Boston
Museum. After the curtain was rung down
that night that noted playhouse was torn
down to make way for modern Office struc-
lures. Guy Standing, Charles Rchman and
Margaret Anglin were also in the cast on
that occasion.
During the past. few years Mr.. Cromp-
ton has been seen as Antonio in Much
Ado About Nothing as Polonius in Ham
let and In his fine portrayal of Friar Law
renee in Romeo and Juliet" in the joint
productions of Julia Mariowe and E. H
Sothern.
SHE WAS STILL QUEEN.-Miss
Blanche Stoddard leading woman for
Odette Tyler. who was seen last week as
Queen Marie Antoinette In The Red Car
nation" has had varied experience dur
ing her few seasons the stage. Miss
Stoddard believes in versatility. and for
that reason she is always prepared to try
line OF professional work different from
that in which she is ordinarily engaged.
In Lady Huntworth's Experiment she
played the eccentric character role of
Kcziah. the scullery maid. with marked
success, although she had never before at
tempted such part, nor had she ever seen
Kexiah played AZ Lending woman for
Nance oNeil In Boston IN q large roper
toire. and &c the creator Of Kundry IN the
6tcddard acquired stronE admiration for
Ibssn and the othar great masters. But
she determined 70 enlist the season follow