Los Angeles herald., 1907-03-18
STAGE JUST LIKE
ANY PROFESSION
ONE GIRL FINDS NO IMMORAL
FEATURES
Dorothy Kenton Declares II Depends
Very Much on the Actress Her.
self How She Is Treated
by the "Johnnies"


rest of the world. The people Of the
stage are as diversified in education,
talent and morals as those in any
other profession. They are no better
and just as bad as other people.
1.-THE girl who becomes a typewriter,
bookkeeper or hospital nurse will meet
Just the same men as she would en-
counter as a chorus girl. If she is
pretty she will receive just as much
attention, and of the same kind.
1.-THE stage is simply another kind
of employment, and there is no rea-
son why any girl who has talent
should not go on the stage. If her
ability will bring her better remunera-
tion there than in business or other
employment let her have the chance"
Tells Of Travels
SO says Dorothy Kenton, the banjo
girl, playing this week at the Or
pheum. Miss Kenton speaks as a
young woman to young women. After
five years experience, during which
she has travelled over the greater part
of America and Europe, she has not
the least hesitation in advising that
girls be permitted to enter the stage
on the same basis as any other pro-
fession.
Miss Kenton told a reporter of her
travels in Europe, where she played In
Paris, Berlin and Vienna, enjoying the
unusual distinction of having played
for two emperors, William of Germany
and Franz Josef of Austria. 1t was at
private gathering, surrounded by a
few court officials, that Miss Kenton
had the honor of playing to the en-
peror of Austria. She was a guest at
| the country home of a German prince
when Emperor William and his mill
tary staff suddenly descended on the
castle.
"The emperor took possession of the
premises as though he were the owner, "
says the musician. But while max
ing it felt that he was the lord and
master, his majesty was affable and
| friendly with all who came in contact
with him."
Europeans Like the Banjo
The banjo and it's music are quite
the rage in England and on the con-
tinent especially in Germany, she says.
In addition to her continental expert
ence, the young banjoist has had
season in London, where she played
at the oxford, Tivoli and Palace halls,
and at the conclusion of her present
tour of the Orpheum circuit she returns
to England, opening her engagement
at the Palace hall on July 20. This is
her first visit to the coast, though she
has made the tour Of the eastern end
of the Orpheum circuit previously.
Miss Kenton's views on stage life
were modestly but convincingly ex-
pressed as the result Of her own eX'
perience.
"Perhaps I have been unusually for
tunate-no, it is not good fortune, but
the realization that the stage is not
playground. The stage must be con-
sidered as seriously as any other em-
ployment. When I first appeared 1t
was impressed upon me that here l
was to make my living, just as other
girls make theirs in office and shop
and hospital. l have always kept that
in mind.
Stanford Whites Everywhere
"Have I never met men of the Stan
ford White class? Well, I think such
men are tvo-sided, and one sees only
the side that is most congenial.
certainly have met men, and there are
such men everywhere, of whom things
are said that might be told of Stan
ford White. But in the five years that
have travelled in Europe and America
I have never been treated with dis
respect.
mo, I am not advising girls to go
on the stage. But 1 do say that il a
girl wishes to go on the stage she
should have a chance. 1 would not ad-
wise a girl to go into any employment
if she is not obliged TO do so. The
girl who has her home and friends is
the only girl I envy. The girl who
can live in the quiet home surround
ings is foolish to leave them.
Miss Kenton's mother travels with
her, and the two are always seen to-
fdantes. While Miss Kenton was eX-
pressing her opinions of the stage as
profession for young women. the
mother was an interested commentator.
Eyes, Dolly is right" she said. ut
depends entirely on the girl. If she Is
serious and not merely looking for
good time she will find the stage no
different from the rest of the world"
Miss Kenton cannot understand why
the wonderful things that are con-
tinually happening to stage people al
ways pass her by.
"In all my travels" she says, "noth
ing has ever happened worth telling
about. My train never ran off the
track, and l never was shipwrecked.
Why. I never was even seasick. The
theater never caught fire while l was
on the stage, and no one ever shot
himself in a proscenium box while
played. ana L never ndu 81 HluSH dS
a hairpin stolen.
Really being on the stage is quite as
commonplace as pounding the type
writer.
"Mash notes? Oh, yes. of course I
get them. Every girl does. But they
are really not very amusing after you
have had a few hundred. That re-
minds me of a girl friend whose type
writer sat near a window. Each time
she looked up she would catch a mas
culine eye regarding her. At first she
was quite amused at the fiirtatious at
tentions of some of the young fellows
who passed regularly. But after she
had been sitting at that window a
few months she became so accustomed
to such attentions, and now she says
she never sees them.
"How did / come to select the banjo
for my instrument?
"Well, 1 just had TO. There were
several older than me in the family
and they all played the banjo. When
was big enough they put one in my
hands and said 'Play'-and played,
"Then 1 got right smart at 1t, as
they said. and began playing at con-
certs. From that 1t was only a short
step TO vaudeville.