The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-08
EVA TANcuAY
ON THE STAGE
Since 9TH YEAR

l found her In her dressing room. put
ting q last touch TO her makeup. just
before her matinee performance. There's
only ono Eva Tanguay and II was decId-
sdly lucky Of me TO have an opportunity
little comedienne. who is the talk OF the
whole town. In spite OF her cyclonic &C.
centricity and tomboyishness, she IL real
ly," with n childishness that Is just as
a soft purry manner and a Arm. though
velvety handclssp that makes you like
her from the start.
"A story about me7" she said, when
explained my errand "Oh. isn't that love-
ly." with childishness that just as
much "A part OF her as her eccentricities
and just as II all the papers all over the
country were not always dying to print
stories about her and use her pictures.
There isn't anything TO tell you that
you probably don't already know she
said thoughtfully. ''or rather there is so
much to tell that ] don't know where Ia
begin. I've been on the stage since / was
nine years old and during that time I've
had experience I'm musical comedy, dra-
matte shows, vaudeville circus and every
branch of the theatrical profession ex-
cept grand opera. There isn't thing
that I haven't done except grand opera.
and I never took a dancing lesson or o
singing lesson In my life.
What did you do in circus" / said
inquistively.
II was the 'haif-lady'" she explained.
with a chuckle. There was wooden
hals-hgure OF a woman and used TO lie
down fat with my head sticking through.
You know. You've seen them at circuses.
Ii was great fun 10 listen TO the COM
ments of the people who came into the
tents TO see me-more fun even than IT,
is to hear what the audience say about
me now in vaudeville. Goodness, she
ratified on. II bet they said things about
me Monday afternoon. l was simply wild,
Just because the musical director struck
a blue note in playing one of my songs
but l was awfully sorry afterwards that
/ had gone into such a tantrum. l al
ways am sorry afterwards. And they
had been so dear TO me too. When l ar
rived at the theatre on Monday ! found
my dressing room just filled with roses =
She had been rafting on. without
pause for me to interrupt. all the time
nervously touching UP her long lashes-
She stoppedS for breath once and l man
aged TO interpolate. "To return to your
experiences. what. OF all the things you
have done, do you like best!
vaudeville. vaudeville. most decided
ly.' she said. IF you make good, az
we say In stage parlancc, you are In de-
mand and being in demand means draw
ing big salaries and being treated nicely
by everybody And there are no chorus
girls to rumple ones temper. That's
big item"
aDid you ever have grand opera aspira-
tions. Miss Tanguay, ] asked.
with my voice? Mercy, no! That the
funniest thing I've ever been asked! And
she went off into peals of laughter. mo,
vaudeville is good enough for me. I've
only been in vaudeville about ten weeks
hut like 1t immensely"
you've made things hum in those ten
weeks" / murmured.
"Do YOU think vaudeville success Is the
result of Individuality" / asked.
individuality is the keynote OF success
in anything in the world. sne repneo 81
saeely. but don't like to be thought SO
yery different from other people as l am
tboupht What is IL that makes me so
different can you tell me?' she asked,
with frown. A..
confessed my inability TO analyze the
Tanruayisms, but replied, Il should
think you'd be glad you're different be
ing like other people would De peihg co'h-
monplace and ordinary. ,.,.
shrug. And as long as II gets me en-.
gagements and big salary. Il Don
Care" ,.,.,,
That reminds me OF her songs, which
are so admirably suited to her that many
people are commenting about IT, SO
asked. You have your songs especiaily
written for your"
.yes I think up the idea and some
times write the words, and then have
them set to music. I control them ano
You'll never hear them sung. with my
nermission. except by one OF the y peo-
ple who give limitations of me with my
permission" 80
lust then we were interrupted by ire
mendous round OF applause from the au'
dience We listened to hear VINO was VI
tha stape II was the audience clamorinR
sor Miss Tanguay. the minute the card
announcing her turn was shown GOOD
ness that's for me- she said, rushins
off. with hurried goodbye: ,
'"' POLLY PRIM.