The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-04
STREAK OF LIGHT
IS STANLEY DARK
Lanky Comedian of the Giffen
Company Is Witty and Wise, as
Well as Wealthy.

Company Is Witty and Wise, as
Well as Wealthy.
Stanley Dark, comedian of the Gift
ten Company, who. II he never scores
another hit, VIII be remembered BY
patrons of the Academy OF Music for
the cleverness he displayed in the role
OF Mr.. Blk in The Three of U.s." is
the university bred son of wealthy
New York Stockbroker and Is conf
iortably wel-to-do himself, having In
his own right fortune of about $780,
900. His associates in the theatrical
company say Mr.. Dark is in the .busi.
ness for the fun of It; the comedian
evidence in the case Is convincing
evidence in the case in convincing
enough that both are right.
Prefers Comedy.
Chatting with reporter in his dress
Ing room on Saturday night. the talI
slender "Mr. Blk of THE Three Of
U.s. said:
thought I would like 1t when
decided four years ago that the comedy
stage was. calling to me. ] answered
the call, and you may perceive that
am still here. My first engagement
was with company owned and man
aged by Charlie Taking. I stuck the
first season out. and although the
snow was not winner. / received my
salary every week. Naturally, / now
believe in Clifton and Taking.
one thing that holds me to the
recession ~ pursued the long comedian,
is the generous impulses of the people
nave come in contact with in my
prief, but--may ! say Unsuccessful
career. You may have observed tbc
spirlt OF camaraderie and good-fellow-
ship that exists in this company 7
nave found 1t SO always. Actors are
iorSiving; yoii see they are always
making up which may have something
10 DO with 1t. Being of a iubilant dis.
position. | chose comedy in preference
to tragedy for mine. Tragedy is like
narcotic-each has a 'quictus' in it.
Hitting for the Ton.
Some day expect to be recognized
fby the critics as the first comedian of
the American stage. That's natural,
| too. amt it? You see. the only time
an actor is satisfied to take the last
place instead of the first is in fll-
neral procession. Good dogs are for
bones. horses for corn. and the actor
for the top place on the three-she
There are some queer things about
actors. however. The sound actor. for
| SNaihpie, IIldheS Tie ledSL noise. Inc
'seedy. actor is not necessarily veg
! etarian. The fat actor is rarely cast
| for the heavy part. The actor who
never settles his muzzle in ncsebag
OF ideas Is likely to hear demand for
Improvement that will go against the
grain. When an actress laughs and
grows fat, the laugh is on her. / mean
that last one for joke. Do you fol-
low me?
al e. mr. er1-o ia, to,r to, %t,r,
| first law of nature, but what strikes
me more forcibly is that self-possesson
is the first law Of acting.
Good, But Late.
You ask me what / think of the adj
vice the critic gives, the actor | will
tell YOU. The advice is good. 1t is
we'll intended. But In most cases it
is like administering medicine after
death. There's nothing wrong with
the medicine.
I; The critic often helps the play He
rarely helps the actor A poor play
| is like cigar. 1t won't go without
plenty of pulling.
Some critics treat an actor as If he
We're salt herring. They are per-
lpetually soaking him.
Then there's the author When the
public fails to applaud the play the
author aver complains that the ac-
tors killed It. The actor is always
the goat
Sometimes 1t is the actor who is in
bad The actor who keeps his eyes
steadily fixed on the three stars OF
the brandy bottle will eventually be-
come convinced that ne Is one of them.
Yes, the actor who depends upon the
cafe mirror for reflection will fail
to make good as surely as water
freezes with the slippery side up.
Most actors are satisfied with their
lot. Any old lot Is better than a lot
| in the cemetery. But. permit me TO
say right here that because flowers
arc showered on an actor it is no sign
| that he is a dead one.
Not In Elevator Business.
did L ever aspire to elevate the
stage? Nay, nay. brother The stage
has wings and flies. II is adequately
Ieouippcd 10 perform that service for
litseff.
But, seriously, the actor truly
enamored of his own person is not
Ilikely to sink it and impersonate ono
conjurcd out Of the mind of the dra-
matist.
I'VE, all of us, have our crosses to
bear. but some of us get double
crosses Now, am no member OF the
lanvil chorus, but | do know some ac~
itOrS VINO are Weuleu W tISii GU civ
for arts sake they ought to get d.
rorces.
Il am glad Mr., Giren is not put
ting on any Of those symbolic plays.
The symbolic play often needs the
carbolic spray before it is tit for q
polite audience.
"plays are odd things. anyway, ]
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