Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-15


other woman one lends itself to comedy,
the other to tragedy; take your choice
Elocuton is good for purposes of enunciation, pro-
nunciaton, and conservation of the voice. l re-
greet to say that good reading and pronunciation
and more neglected in the theater, not recev-
ing anything like the that should be given to
them. | would suggest that highly educated clergy
who the conversational rather than the de-
clamatory method of speaking excellent models
of elegance of speech, accuracy of pronunciation
and cearness of enuncaton, and much may be
learned from their handling of the voice.
good example of silent expression afforded
by sketch l recently witnessed. In it cat was
sent on the stage for certain purpose AS the ami
NAL advanced toward the center suspected that
its motive sinister. Its manner contributed to
this conviction. Syly it on, step by step
pausing every and then and peerng about
if to get its bearings, like about to commit
crime The slightest noise instantly put it on the
alert. Then again, the little beast seemed to be
Stimulating nonchaance by pausing and glancing
with Indifferent inquisitiveness up into the flies
Just you have a somnolent pussy look up
into tree. Its poise was perfect. Every move
ment held the breathess attention of the audience
there not litter. But if at that moment the
cat had meowed the absolute discord would have
convused the house; for incongruity is the basis of
comedy. That of the best lessons in stage
business / have ever seen. 1t is hard to convince
the novice fresh from the hands of the elocutonist
that words must be servants not masters, expert
alone effecting a remedy.
The Secret of Grace
THAT elegance of department is essential goes
without saying. Nor should the girl of humble
origin be discouraged by this, since many lady
walks out of tenement house. The secret of grace
fulness pose, and the of poise quietness
One should remember that the great factor of the
drama is contrast: tragedy actress should be able
to smile beautifully to give light, even If 1t be
somber, to her tragic moods, just as sunshine
and showers make perfect weather. so the comedl-
enne should be able to be serious thus giving a
higher light to her comedy
All physical and mental accomplishments are di-
rectly or indirectly of value to the actress Dane
ing and fencing tend to improve woman physically
mentally, and temperamentally. The playing of
musical instruments. singing, and the like are good
These only add to confidence and poise, but fire.
quently fit for niche in play that would
otherwise be void of opportunity
Much has been said against the dramatic school
This institution affords great advantage stage
struck young women who enter can act to
their hearts content,-can fence, dance, sing, rave,
cry, fall in fit in short, simulate the whole gamut
of emotions which obviously they would have no
opportunity to do in the ordinary theater Thus they
become more pliabe the discipline of the theater.
Beauty Not Essential
A l said before, beauty is not essen
ta1. The flexible emotional face IS the
thing. Expressive eyes are of vast import
ance. A woman with too serene face has
little heart, little emotional nature is not
capable of being stirred Ihave seen woman
betray by smile a vast power of feeling. l
can by talking with such one, watching her
face and listening to her voice, tell the emo
tons that are dormant. These signs indicate
- much 1t is quite easy to discern the ex-
preston of self satisfaction that comes OF a
- pampered life man used to rage or lust
~ any other unbrided passion shows the