The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-04
CLEAN HUMAN PLAYS USUALLY A SUCCESS Mrs. Ellington Claims
 Motherhood of Stage ACTED FOR 70 YEARS Players Had to Be Cleverer Then Than Now When Science Helps to
 Make Scenes Realistic-The
 Stage Manager Asleep
BY JAMES GRANT ruuRsroN

| o - D NNLe OhANI New York February s.--(special)-I
 wonder how much the great success of
 "Bunty Pulls the Strings had to do with
 the dramatization of Louisa M. Alcott $
 famous book. Little Women
 1 The simple little Scotch play has denl-
 onstrated that there are great chances
 for success in clean, human plays and
 if the full possibilities of Little Wom-
 en" have been brought out-I have not
 seen the play yet-in the dramatization,
 there is every reason to look for sue
 cess for it. There are few better known
 characters in American fiction than Meg
 Joe Beth March. Laurie Lawrence and
 the others.
 They have that same honey appeal
 which makes so strong for the success of "Bunty" and I miss my guess If, when Little Women" strikes Broadway if they do not make us a Ions visit.
 I saw a long story the other day about Miss Lotta Crabtree which brought up some mighty pleasant memories.
 It's good many years ago now when
 Lotta and Maggie Mitchell were names
 to conjure with in the theatrical world.
 t has not been so very long ago that
 the old country looking home of Maggie Mitchell in Harlem gave way to a row
 of tall apartment houses.
 Lotta's dancing 30 years ago was worth going a long way to see. It had nothing of the Bunny Hug or turkey trot about it and perhaps would appear tame to the sophisticated taste of today, but I'd like to see a bit of 1t just the same. haipbt n I,ptfa she was known by no other name hav- ing made all the money she needed, re- tired from the stage and is now living ar active, busy life in Boston, looking after her property.
 'I think I can claim to be the mother of the stage" proudly re- marked Mrs. Ellington. the famous actress of the Victorian era, on enter ing upon sher SSth year the other day Although unknown to the vast ma iority of modern playgoers, Mrs Bill lington is remembered by many peo- pie and her best friends today are the leading members of the profession which she adorned for the long period of 70 years. Mrs. Ellington, despite her great age. is still a bright, active lady, and recalls clearly her associa- tions with Macready, Jefferson, Ben
 iamin Webster. Paul Bedford, ]. l.. Toole and many others. Her sitting room is adorned with a painting of Toole, and one of her late husbands autographed photos of famous actresses and actors of the past, and several old play bills. including some relating to productions which she and her hus- band took part in before Queen Vic toria at Windsor Castle. She has also many interesting articles and letters in her possession, including letters ad- dressed to her by Queen Victoria and
 King Edward She is still a play goer, although no longer a play actor. Her last engagement on the stage was at the Comedy theatre in 1899, when at the request of the late Sir Will liam s. Gilbert, she took part in Miss Janette Steers production of "Pygmal- ion and Galatea."
 There was little of what is called realism in the productions of long ago." remarked the aged actress The whole effect depended upon the acting and actors were wonderfully clever in those days. Nowadays science is add ed to the work of the author and actor and stage effects are used to mirror life before an audience. What contrast, too, there is in the salaries which were very poor in my earlier times. l was at the Adeplhi for Is years, and for the first six years got 30 shillings week, but MT. Bill lington received more. In those days the leading actors. with the exception Of Mr. Toole and one or two others never received more than Ef2 a week Enga gements. however, were longer than they are today Mr. Webster would never accept an engagement for less than three years Queen Victoria used to be frequent visitor 10 the Adelphi. It was, in fact, her favorite playhouse l have reason to remem- Der one of my performances at the Adelphi, because it brought me a great compliment from Charles Dickens. I was playing the part of the unknown lady in No Thoroughfare." which Dickens wrote for the stage in con junction with Will<ie Collins. on Dick ems return from America he made straight for the Adelphi to see the play and The manager afterward told me that the great author said to him: T never thought 1 would have cried or shed a tear a my own work as II have been made to do by Mrs. Billing tons fperforinance.H
 An interruption which may or may not have been on, the programme occurred at the Globe theatre during the cabaret scene of "over the River" Just as Lil- Han Lorraine and the chorus sang the first verse of a song d slender young man with light moustache sitting in the sixth row. sprang 10 his feet, started down the main aisle and cried "Fasteri faster"
 Ushers went to the stranger and ris- covered that it was Frank Rainger, the stage manager. He had been rehearslng the f.On1nanV all day fouV and tatf ap a