The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-05-16
The Theatres

II was just before the matinee at
Kefth's. and everyone was busily prepar-
ing for the performance of "The Dicta-
tor" There was no one about 10 take
my card to Miss wheatley's room. so
timidly ventured to find my way alone.
Somehow one gets nearer the true wom-
an in the dressing room than from In
front OF the footlights.
This is nice of you" said Miss Wheat
lev. cordially. Tits nice OF you to let
me come" murmured.
Not il YOU won't mind my going on
dressing' continued Miss Wheatley.
"Do YOU know. 1 think ones clothes
mean a great deal. My moods are regu-
lated by my clothes. This week. for In
stance. I feel like an irresponsible young
thing OF l6 years. Last week my trailing
gowns made me feel the responsibility or
being the elder sister OF Sir Walter Man
ncring.
"Once / played a dashing adventures.
I loved the part but I never could get
into the spirit OF II until / got into the
fiaring red velvet gown had 20 wear In
the play. We women do not have the
opportunities for diversity OF makeup
that the men have. but we make up for
~
hat, every cloak we wear. has-or should
have-character."
All this time had been admlring the
expressive large eyes. the sympathetic
mouth and the well modulated voice
Every detail OF her attractive personality
bespeaks the innate refinement and good
breeding that Is born In one. not ac-
quired. Miss Wheatley IL above all things
else, a gentlewoman. She Is very serious
and enthusiasts IN discussing her work.
but now and then a smile chases away her
seriousness just as the unbursts from be-
hind clouds. and with just such pleas
ant effect.
You like your work." / asked.
Like Il? Well. I should say I do I
love II. It's my one hobby. I'm @ery
uninteresting subject for an interview. for
devote myself so entirely 10 my work.
never lose diamonds or take milk baths.
and my mildest dissipation Is beef-tea
after the evening performance which Miss
McCauH. Miss Reirner and have grown
tn the habit OF taking together.
"As for my recreations-horseback rid
ing and walking. / haven't been riding
yet, hut two or three mornings I've taken
walks by myself before rehearsal. Once
I walked over by Brown university,
through the campus and down one of
those pretty streets there. What pretty
city Providence Is! But most OF my time
IA spent here at the theatre. Its an aw-
-ful admission TO make; but really, I'm as
much 'stsge-struck' as / was when first
went on the stage.
'I made two vows that I have never
forgotten. One was to work hard to-
ward the goal OF leading woman The
other was that once a leading woman
should never Withhold help or ENCOURAGE
ment from beginners. A nd / think I've
Kept my word. Maybe / have encouraged
some beginners who have no ability but
who can tell? Once when was leading
woman OF stock company in Denver
there was a club OF young girls who ell
mad theatrical aspirations. I used to see
them every two or three weeks and give
them little bits of advice. One OF thoee
girls came up TO me the other day in
New York and told me that she had been
on the stage three years and had 1ust
Deen given an engagement in New York
production next season"
What kind OF parts do you like best?"
asked
love all OF Shakespeare's women. One
or me most delightful engagements ever
mad was with an open-air Shakespearean
company. It's unfortunate 10 have a
taste for Shakespeare, for most managers
Deheve that IL Speel ruin However
IKE oil parts that require thoughtful act
ing not mere physical work. Catherine IN
III Were King is such part. us
so poettoal! SO deepl"
But those are not the parts that ara
the most Impressive. or most effectIve
WIN the audience" ! suggested.
Il know st." she admitted. with n ,,ttlo
sign isn't II PITY Still. while we
actors talk so much about PLAYING for
applause and salary. there is somethine
that counts for more than both mn 10,
gether, our own satisfaction. We are our
own hardest critics. and, as Mrs Fiske
says, We ourselves are never pleased
with anything less than our best
SALLY SCRIBE.
Residents of Providence or vicinity who
mad relatives or friends in San Francisco
during the recent terrible calamity win
be accorded an opportunity Of seeing a
picture or them, possibly. in the moving
pictures OF that disaster which are 20
be shown at the shubert theatre tonight
and Thursday night and matinee
Among other incidents OF this record Is
the actual scene OF several buildings be-
ing dynamfted. structures which by their
prominence will be readily recognized bv
any San Franciscoan or one who has been
there. The pictures are guaranteed TO he
genuine by the Messrs Shubert.