The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-04-24
PRAISES CHILDUEN'S THEATRE
MARK TWAIN TELLS or THE
GOOD 1T HAS DONE,

Says the children OF the Fast Side Know
More OF Shakespeare Than Any One
Else In TOWn-Amateur ACtlng Does
Not Start Them 10 be Professionals.
Mark Twain wasn't the author Of either
one Of the plays which we're presented
last night in the Children's Theatre in the
Education Alliance Building, but he got a
chance TO talk just the same, and he got
slathers Of applause,
His evening clothes we're black, just
like those Of any ordinary citizen, and so
serious was his discourse that he made the
audience laugh only twice. The first time
was when ne said that Sarah Hlrschman,
the little girl who played the title role in
"Editha's Burglar could reclaim any
burglar.
why he added, she could reclaim
even me-"
The second time was when, in order to
illustrate his conception Of the enthusiasm
Of the neighborhood children over their
playhouse, he declared that they were will
ing to give up the necessities Of life to save
money for the price Of admission-were
glad to surrender even chewing gum.
The house simply rose to him, however,
when he asserted with marked emphasis
that the child Of the lower East Side knew
his Shakespeare better than any one else in
Greater New York.
He had much to cay about the wonderful
work the theatre was doing in the way OF
imparting a knowledge Of good American
English to the races Of southern and eastern
Europe, and he eNpatiated at some length
upon the lofty ideals e]ngendered by a study
Of good plays.
ANY old school can train the intellect
he said. but this theatre school trains the
heart the emotions the impulses
As for the idea that amateur acting leads
20 a desire to tread the real boards, Mark
Twain sid he hadn't the slightest patience
with IL. y
why, in the FIVE years that this theatre
has been running, he said triumphantly
only three Of those who took part in the
PLAYS have even tried TO adopt the stage
as a career The vast majority are peace
fully pursuing their original occupations.
The Children's Theatre Is going 10 be-
come an independent institution next sum
mer,' he said. and | have been made hon
orary president Of the board Of directors
OF course they knew that | wouldn't do for
a real president Of anything,
The burglar in the first play was truly hor-
rible, and coarse and rude, but he didn't
phase Edihd one bit. Almost immedl-
atelv he became as wax in her hands, As
for Edthd's mother, she really didn't deserve
such a magnificent little girl. Anyone could
900 chat tho pninttta aha rama IN the sfnpp.
The cast was:
Janet .......... Rebecca Bcrgcl
Mrs WbItmore Miriam GeTSUn
Mr. Whitmore ......... William SlngeTman
EdithA .............. Sarah HlrsClnlah
The BurRlar ..... ...... Solomon Neuw lrth
Sergeant Collins tOutdde, ...... Louis LeNin'kN
The orchestra, composed Of members of
the theatre school, played The Magic
Flute" in a manner that aroused the wlldlsh
enthusiasm. The applause continued for
several minutes, but Mr., Frankie, who vas
conducting. would not allow an encore.
The chief feature OF the evening. how
ever, was Anne S~chroeder's portrayal OF
Amanda A1iick. the friendless little laundry
maid in -'Op-O'- Me Thumb
In her scene with Mr.. Horace Greersmbh
she held the audience s%pellbound. Several
persons said that Miss Adams will have 10
look to her ~laurels, especially at the point
where Amanda makes the transition from
her attitude Of humble alteration 20 one OF
contemptuous amusement. No one stirred
for nearly a minute after Mr. Horace closed
the door behind him and Amanda threw
herself In a pitiful little heap on the floor.
The cast in "'0p-O-Me-Thumb was:
amanda ATIck Anne ScnrOe0er
Madame Jeanne Marie Napoleon DE Gallfet
Ddier ...... Sylvia ElSenberE
Ross Jordan ........ LILLIAN bernstein
Celeste ........... Leah HirsChmAn
C1sm Mrs Galloway .Mllllcent Shamforon
Iiorace Greensmith Solomon Altschulet