Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-15
MISS BINGHAM'S VIEWS
NOTED ACTRESS TALKS OF STAGE
AND WEALTHY WOMEN.

"Candidly, I cannot see what attraction
a stage life can hold for a woman of
leisure and independence, when we take
into consideration the strenuous life of
untiring study that is demanded of one
who hopes to succeed in the profession"
remarked Amelia Bingham, the clever
actress who appears at the Columbia this
week.
AT the same time I see no reason why
the possession Of wealth should prove an
obstacle" she added, Ito any woman who
is willing to give her undivided interest
and attention to art, be it painting. sculp-
ture, music acting or any other"
Probably no actress on the American
stage is better fitted to discuss this propo-
sltion than Miss Bingham.
NO woman should lead idle life. If
she possesses marked ability in any direc-
ton, It is her duty to use that ability to-
ward her own betterment and that of her
fellow men and women. and the presence
of wealth makes no difference in this rule
Would II not be absurd to suggest that
great painter should cease to pursue his
art because he had made sufficient money
to be able to do so? He may not feel the
necessity of pursuing it. but We, his con-
temporaries, need his work, and we, there
fore. cannot do without him.
The true artist does not consider his
art from mercenary standpoint; he loves
IT is part of his existence, and though he
must have money for his completed work
in order to continue its practice, this
monetary consideration forms one of the
least weighty among his thoughts in con-
neCtion with that art.
Money, for its own sake, is not worth
the time and energy that are absolutely
necessary for its requirement. | like to
have money, for it enables me to have
home to my liking; 1t enables ME to sur
round myself with pictures and SCULPTURES
and other works of art in which l take
pleasure. it enables me TO have around me
the friends l love to see there. and 1t
gives me the opportunity of contributing
TO charitable objects In which / take an
interest.
The wealthy woman has all these pleas
ures and more; but l say again that is no
reason why she should not devote her ener-
gies to histrionic art, provided she has
ability.
This very ability, moreover, is the only
real attraction that she can possibly have
toward stage life. The young asprant to
the stage has but little idea, If any of the
hard work that will be her lot if she is ever
to meet with success or even to derive any
real pleasure from the result of her own
efforts. If she does not possess the physi-
cal mental and moral stamina to carry
her through the necessarily protracted eff
forts which will be required of her in order
to attain any degree of success she will
soon tire of her art and relinquish it.
Many women think that they possess the
necessary qualifications for a successful
stage career: but it more often turns out
that they are affected with an infatuation
for what they consider the glitter and
glamour of the stage. With what intense
relief any star actress retires from the
theater to the pea ceful rest and quiet Of
her home is only known to those who have
experienced 1t.
''Of course, the woman who enters upon
a stage career endowed with the qualities
of ability and perseverance. and who has
the wealth in addition, has very enviable