New-York tribune., 1910-12-18
Al Worlds Stage" Literally to Many Rowing Troupe
E1oo,Io6
and Tents, Outdoor Ikafing
Ks. Exen BeenTb
Some Knotvn

1-,-rre Fellow. with his plan- just an
-o,Inced. of touring the world IN 1ioat-
ing theatre, proves 10 a delighted people
.,o+ The imagination and pluck and ro-
,nauca of the older days of the stage
lave not Yet passed away On August
,,ox- he expects TO leave London on a
g ooo-ton vessel, on board which VIII be
.n-o theatrical companies. one for mu-
-, comedy and one for drama. Sup
,,1e5 with provisions and necessaries.
,bev Will set sail for unknown-or very
,i++1o knoWn-lands, wherever enough
,,,,e7ish is spoken TO warrant stop.
No doubt many of us have read how
-ro1iAra used TO gather material for his
,lavs by watching the strolling actors
.u Paris. who gave scraps OF entertain
-,7ents around the street corners beneath
She oyerhanging balconies, or on open
.o11ares beside the fountain, or on the
o1a Ponr Nel1f And we have envied the
,,olor and the tinge Of personal interest
.l,s- street life in the older cities had
end still have. But we have whole
series Of strange sorts of theatricals
throughout the United States that per-
hans few Of US know about. and odd in
cidents have happened TO some or the
host known actors where they and the
audience have had to adapt themselves
g. novel circumstances and surround
.uEs-
The picture of Sarah Bernhardt on
.our through the Southwest with tent
show. or more accurately. giving classic
end standard dramas under a frail can
vas cover. is 4. strange one, Yet in 1Hoo
.his really happened. On her opening
.igilt ont in the fields near the city oil
s.allas. Texas. where her tent was
stitched. there was such a rain and wind
storm that the tent. the stage. the au-
6ience the scenery and even La DIVINE
herself were moist. But If the enthu-
siasn that has been passed from mourn
70 mouth ever since that night Is cor
rect, she Of the golden voice never acted
better in the Comedie Francaise than
rnder her Texas canvas. The tent WAS
later on sent. with Bernhardt's love and
Aast wishes. 10 san Francisco to do Its
share toward housing the homeless after
.he earthquake and fire.
Lillian Russell was TO appear in Tine
r2t,tterf7v-' in Houston. Texas several
wears ago While she was dressing for
Ser part the theatre took fire and burned
eavlv to the ground. A few seats were
-escued and carried to the skating rink.
Miss Russell was invited to follow. All
of Houston lent its kitchen chairs, tfe
audience assembled. and without stage,
scenerv. footlights or properties the flaE
vas given and received with cheers.
I takes not only tolerance or enthu-
sfaen7 or good nature on the part Of the
eudierre 10 make a feat like this pcs
fible. II requires a generous supply OF
.arve and adaptab bility on the part of the
r,erfarraaers. And imagination After
eU the actor-genius Will always tell You
shat while he acts a part he lives II, he
6 the character. II must he true. and l.
.7eyer more apparent than when all liiu-
sion is lacking. all symbols gone, moth
srg bUt imagination to Clothe bare tents
tr hare boards with romance
Mrs. Leslie Carter and Amelia Bng-
ham both were obliged to play outdoors
4 The Gardens" of st Louis ahc
cleveland At one tine when theatres
we're scarce. These places are copied
pfter the German outdoor cafe. and like
Olympic Park. near Newark, usually Of
fer light opera on rough stage. The
audience sits about under the trees III
,b. dim glow of colored lights that swing
or th., branches overhead and enjoy
,raf,, beer 10 the rollicking song Of the
sureador.
But not to count the numerous ODD
.o1.peuings that have oCcurTed-are al
~ays occUrring-to the ROAD corit'a iiie7
end the stars on tour. there are specia
Kinds uf theatricals in the west aho