The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-11-14
SANG FOR CHARITY
How Zoe Barnett Found Her
Way to the Stage.
Attracted Attention of Manager
of BOstOnians.
NEVER IN THE CHORUS
Sang Role of Annabel in Robin
Hood.
First Seen in Topeka in Revival
Of King DOdO.

The girl sang well that night, unus-
uauy we'll. even for her, and she was
considered an exceptionally good sing
en- Perhaps it was the song, THE
Flower song" or perhaps it was the
occasion 1t was at a concert given
in Los Angeles for the benefit Of the
San Francisco earthquake sufferers
shortly after the diSaSt one night in
sympathy for the victims of the calam-
ity swelling from the California girls
heart found al its expression in her
trained voice.
AT any rate, after the concert, Thos.
earle, then tenor of the Bostonian OPP
era company in Los Angeles told the
girl that she had a career before her
and asked her to talk it over with
him the next day. She consented.
Little sleep for her that night-but
waking dreams in which ambition and
love of an art to which a person feels
called, pictured her a great future
The next morning just before noon
the girl trembling with the excitement
of great hopes told her parents that she
had signed a contract to sing with an
opera company. A stormy scene fol-
consent. But her mother, with the SYM
pathetic understanding that mothers
invariably have given their children
since the world began, would not stand
in her way.
A week or two later. with very lit
tie preparation, found the girl singing
the role of Anna BEL in Robin Hood.
Such was the start of the career of
Miss Zoe Barnett, who starred as LOlOa
in John c. Fishers Red Rose" at the
Grand last night.
Sang Here in 'I1ing DodO."
And Topeka people may remember
that the same girl sang here as An
nette in John COrt's revival of King
also sang the role of Myrtle in THE
Sweetest Girl in Paris" when Alice
Yorke, now starring with The Choco-
late Soldier was one OF the pr1ncl-
pals, but the company she was with
did not come to Topeka. A report de-
MED by Miss Barnett and her mana
ger was circulated that she had been
here with d stock company. However,
Miss Barnett clearly recalls her first
appearance in Topeka.
Just like today, on my second ar
rival, it was blowing a perfect dust
storm when L came here with the King
Dodo' company 4 few years ago" said
Miss Barnett last evening. mo, l was
never here before except that one time,
as far as I can recall. Then had the
part Of Annette. Later 1 played Myr-
tie in The Sweetest Girl N Paris
However, our company did not
come here that year. In The Red
Rose | feel that 1 have great part
love to dance-OtherWiSe it would be
a great strain on me-
Il have always had ambition to go
on the stage, but none of my people
were ever so inclined
mo, 1 did run away from home,
but went without my fathers consent
However when I came home two years
after went on the stage, father found
that [ had not changed SO very much,
didn't kick over the table or anything
like that. and he gradually became
recOnciled.
NV start on the stage? Thomas
earle made me an offer and although
I was getting more singing at concerts
at my home town, / signed contract
to go with the opera company for con-
siderable less I was tickled to death
to get the chance and so glad that
did not have to start in the chorus.
And when I play in Los Angeles
IN December. / mean to spend Christ
mas at home 1t will be the first
Christmas I have spent at home for
five years.