The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-29
Frank Worthing, the Comedian,
Succumbs to HemOrrhage.
Orchestra Playing and Curtain
Rising at the Time.
HIS SECOND ATTACK.
Two Years Ago an Understudy
Filled Place i'm Detroit.
First Important Engagement
Was With Sarah ThOrne.

Detroit, Mich, Dec. 29.-F'rank
Worthing, leading man for Grace
George, who is playing here this week
in Geraldine Bonner's comedy, Sauce
for the Goose" dropped to the floor as
he stepped on the stage at the Garrick
theater for the opening of the first act,
and was dead in twenty minutes. Hem
orrhage of the lungs was the cause. A
physician was hurriedly summoned.
but could do nothing to relieve Mr..
Worthing. who did not regain con-
seriousness.
The orchestra was playing and the
curtain was just rising. AS soon as it
was known that Mr.. Workings at
tack was serious the audience was dis
missed.
Recently Joined the Company.
Mr.. Worthing had been with the
company only seven weeks, though he
mad been with Grace George in other
plays. He suffered a similar attack
at the Detroit opera house about two
years ago which almost proved fatal.
He was with Grace George then and
tainted in the performance. He was
carried from the stage and revived,
but an understudy took his part
Mr.. Worthing suffered for many
years with consumption and of late
had grown extremely weak. He played
the opening night here, and the strain
told heavily on him. Then he was
urged by Miss George not to try to go
on, but he insisted that he was strong
enough. 1t was the. first appearance
of the company in two weeks.
Grace George Sheds Tears.
For two hours after the tragedy
Miss George and her closest friends
sat upon the stage, amid the scenery
which had been set for the comedy.
talking in subdued tones of the calam-
lty. Miss Georges face was drawn
and tear stained. Mr.. Worthing had
been associated with her in stageland
most of the time for nine years, she
said.
Mr.. Worthing probably has played
principal parts with more prominent
actors on the English stage than any
other player in recent years. He be-
gan his career as an assistant promp-
ter with an obscure stock company in
England. the land of his birth. where
he served long apprenticeship.
Worked Up From Obscurity.
His first important engagement was
in support of Sarah Thorne, in whose
company he rose from the smallest
roles to those of the greatest impor-
lance. He then was engaged with
Mrs. Bandman and played opposite
to her as Romeo, Orlando and Bene-
dick. In 1890 he joined Mrs. Patrick
/
lando in "As You Like It." next TAX
ing the place of the late Charles Cogh-
Ian with Mrs. Langtry, with whom he
played the roles of Orlando, Antony
Claude Melnotte, Charles Surface an6
Lord Clancarty.
An engagement followed with Charles
Wyndhom, after which Mr.. Wothins
came to America with Olga Nethersole
in The Transgressor" and 1.-THE Silent
Battle" 1t was shortly after this that
the late Augustin Daily, seeking some
one to fill the place in his company left
by the departure of John Drew, again
brought him to America as leading
man for Ada Rehan and with her he
played two seasons in New York and
one in London in 1.-The School for
Scandal and Love on Clutches
From that time Mr.. Worthing re-
NAMED on the American stage except
for some short engagements, such as
an appearance with Grace George 1t
the Duke of York's theater in ''Divor.
cons.'' He held the position Of leading
man with Annie Russell in Catherine. ~
with Julia Marlowe in Queen Fla
meta with Amelia Bingham in 1.-THE
Climbers with Blanche Bates i'll
Naughty Anthony, with Margaret
Anglin in 'Zira," with Maxine Elliott
in 1.-The House of Cards. and with
| Margaret Ellington in 1.-THE Wife With
out a Smile