Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-09-02
Holds That Part of I'll TrOya-.
tore Best of the Whole
Opera.
FIRST WOMAN in TWENTY
YEARS TO PLAY "DIAVOLO"
SheLoyes Stage and Its People;
Says Daughter May Fol-
low Her Course.
BY ADELINE STANLEY cARRIcK.

1t is the law OF contrast that reigns
supreme in the theatrical world. He
who struts valiantly across the boards
in velvet and ermine, causing humble
minions whatever they are) to quail
at his glance. may in private life be
henpecked unto death. The gay come
dian is as apt as not, during /"of'
hours, to dream ..essimisticalfy-be-
cause he feels sure they'd never let
him do it-of stalking through the COLES
OF Hamlet and Macbeth. And the giddy
little soubrette of the fluffy skirts and
the dancing eyes is like as not saving
up her pennies in order to buy q
chicken farm.
All of this went through my head
like a flash when Miss Edith Bradford
opened the door in response to my
ring the other day. The night before
she had been brave in big boots, velvet
coat and the toupee n high hat OF
a marquis robber. Every action and
expression showed a studied mascul-
unity that seemed really masculine, and
consisted of far more than heavy stride
and prodigious frown.
Today, from the top of her prettily-
dressed head to the toe of her white
| canvas shoes, she was thoroughly, ab-
solutely feminine. Her petticoats had
the starchy crackle that IS music to a
wcman's ear, and on her fingers were
gay little rings that would look mar
velously out of place on a masculine
hand.
81 despise masculine women, off the
stage or on it," said Miss Bradford,
who was still flushed from her triumph
as Diavolo, in which opera she Is ap-
pearing at the Olympic Park theatre
this week, for the first time, but l DO
think when one is given a mans part
to play that she should study 1t INTEL
ligently and try to make it as convinc-
ing as possible.
Some women seem to think their
duty is done in that line If they can
toss their heads and walk across the
stage in tights. That's why the press
has so much to say about women who
play mems parts. Why, after my part
was assigned to me I just thought 1T
all day long and dreamed it at night,
and I only had a weeks notice at
that"
weren't you scared when Mr.. Aborn
gave YOU the Part so suddenly" 1
asked.
Miss Bradford smiled.
Went Ahead and Studied.
IT never consider it safe to think
whether a part is going to scare me
or not" she declared. "If l did I'd lie
lost. When I was given the lines OF
Diavolo I Just went ahead and STUDIED
and tried hard not to think OF Wnelnef
I could do it or not. but Monday night
I was worried to death for Tear IT
wouldn't go. The first applause went
straight to my heart.
First nights are unpleasant aren't
they?"
"rhey're nightmares" said my nos
tess, with conviction.
"What sort of part do you like pest!
l aueried, thinking of the infinite Varl-
ETY. of her repertoire.
MY ~favorite part is that OF the ola
bag in II T~rovatore.' I simply love IT,
it's so full of dramatic intensity me
n aker's eyes grew dark with feeling
as she added, there's a part worth
while" ,
you, to play an old, wrinkied
woman!" I cried in establishment,
always thought young women hateo 10
play old, homely parts"
But that isn't an old, homely part
Miss bradford c~ontradicted, ITS the
hest role in the whole opera"
which was decidedly a matter OF
onipion 7 changed the subject, at
which she smiled mischievously'
"you,re as fond of the Aborns as
ever, I SUPPOSE PAD
'I ought to be-" declared MISS orao,
ed "tbav rave me my first start, ana
were mighty fine to me- lnoeeu.
they're just as glad as am 'na'