New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-08
SEEKS VARIED TYPES
Florence Reed Does Not Believe
in Specialized Acting.

Florence Reed. who IL PLAYING the
leading feminine roic Of Bcttina I'm THE
Master OF tho House az the 29th Street
Theatre. is an enthusiastic young actress
whose ambition is to play many different
parts OF many different types. ana to
play them all with tho utmost sincerity.
whether the theme IS comic or tragic
Though Miss Reed has originated leading
roles IN only three Broadway produc-
tions-"Seven DAYS The Typhoon' and
The Master Of the House''-she has won
positive recognition in the extremes Of
work represented by these pieces.
When a part Is written hdcously true
Il should be PLAYED hideousiy true says
Miss Reed explaining the manner In
which she interprcts tho role OF Bettina
without any bid whatsoever for the
sympathy Of the audience. 1T takes
considerable moral and artistic courage
10 work out such a characterization hon
estly, but n is the only Kind OF acting
for such a part that genuinely merits
praise The greatest compliment ! have
ever received was from a playwright VINO
recently wrote me that he wanted me 10
appear IN a certain rather disagreeable
bur very strong role because he con
sidered me 20 be the only actress in
America with the artistic courage TO play
the part up TO the hllt'
THE desire to be sympathetic is a
great temptation. especially for the
woman artist who understands that the
public Is likely to confuse personalities
and parts and who breads 10 be put
before audiences in an unlikable manner.
Even the most experienced male agusts
win yield 10 this temptation, and have
difficulty I'm restraining themselves from
so altering the characterization by clever
manipulation Of details az TO spoil the
entire balance and lesson Of the piece.
"Of course, like sympathetic roles
hut / also like role like this OF Bettlna'
because OF its direct consistent force
IN ,o,o or three occasions while we were
doing the piece IN Chicago last year /
was Missed. and that pleased me- because
I knew / must surely have presented
loathsome character
"uowever II doesn't do for a young
actress. who IL still known only 10
norton Of the theatregoers, to play 100
many dIsagreeable paris IN succession.
While I was playing in The Typhooh
Henry Arthur Jones came to see me
q half dozen times and told Lee Shunerl
that was the only woman in New YORK
who could play the leading feminine roie
I'm The Sword Of Gideon his new piece
He read the part to me. ano u was
planned TO star me in the play. o"l !
finally declined. because ! felt that t"e
first actual starring vehicle for YOUNG
wonnan should provide her with All APP
healing character. I think that the pal'
Is greater than the title roles OF po'i
Mrs Danes Defence and The DancihK
Girl. both Of which | have done many
times I'm stock, but it n too horrloie
role. felt that what ! wanted TOT tno
beginning of my career as star WIS
something sweet. human and woineu'S
don't want plsygoers to get inc I'M
preston that Florence Reed makes II
her business in life TO go about wreck"
Ink homes
"As have said before. | think that 'hn
greatest weakness with American actors
and actresses Is the extreme 10 "hlch
they carry specialization. But inc rea'
fault should be fastened upon the man
ayers who keep engaging them tor ,ne
same sort Of roles. After seven Da!S