Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1912-10-21

anu Iodu6 eIIeCLlNe as u SloTy, pue
would we know Hamlet or Lady Mac
beth rs we know them now? In mod
ern realistic plays o find many ad-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. personages. but the
portraits nearly all are only sketches,
and you flnd few with the really UNI
fathomable depths of soul of the
Shskespearean characters.
And in Mr.. MantelI's support is u
other prodigy. not a little Eva. but a
Juliet at fourteen. No, she isn't four
teen now, but one never ventures to
inquire of a lady.
Don't Query About Prodigy Days"
How many years ago did you say
4, that vase" for a lady never says.
But Miss Florence Rockwell asked
me not to dwell on those prodigy days
when she was written of and spoken
of as the wonderful child Shake
spearean actress.
MY mother was a physician and
when she announced her determine
ton to put me on the stage all her
fellow physicians objected strenuous
ly' she said. ''She told them that
she probably knew more about What
was best for her own child than they
did, so I came to New York and got
my first engagement when I was
twelve.
IT have had a wonderful experience
In Shakespearean roles. What leading
woman in modern dramas has an OPP
portunity to play such characters as
+ Lady Macbeth. Juliet. Rosalind and
all the other wonderful herolnes? A
leading woman generally considers
herself fortunate If she has M big
scene. Just think of the opportunity
for big scenes in this repertoire.
Shakespeare is wonderful training.
In a modern play you can often get
along without making yourself under
stood. The audience will often say,
We'll, doesn't she look sweet even IL
1t has no idea what the actress is
/ trying to say. In Shakespeare's plays
each line must tell If the whole is to
be appreciated
Miss Rockwell believes that luck
} is a great factor in success on the
stage.
"Of course one must start out with
talent and then work hard, but even
If one has a combination of these two
factors there must be a third, a GER
tain turn of circumstances, to bring
success. / have heen lucky and am
thankful for 1T. Whatever success I
have gained / 10 not lay at the door
of wor', alone. for, although I have
worked hard and have devoted much
time TO study. | would not occupy
my present position if circumstances
had not favored me.
Exciaim, "Oh. That's Easy"
People do not realize what prepa-
ration precedes the playing of any
roe. They would never think they
could paint a beautiful picture they
see in an art gallery or render the
difficult selection of some noted
pianist. but when they see a play
nine out If ten exclaim, perhaps only
TO themselves. oh, I know ! could do
that and generally the easier 1t
seem the more work 1t represents"
During Miss Rockwelrs stage career
she has missed but two performances.
and one of those wes a Saturday
matinee when she was appearing
here in "The Barrier"
1T almost broke my heart when
my physician ordered me not to play
hat matinee, and during this visit to
Newark / mean to make up for what
] lost last time
Married. Miss ROCKWELL" was my
second attempt to be original.
mot yet"
"prospecis?" l inquired, becoming
interested.
"Well. yes. but I don't think it's
wise TO discuss prospects, for you
know what sometimes happens 10
them"
And o think an actress can
marry without making her career
suffer-
YES, that is, of course. IL she mar
rles a man who understands the
stage. Then, on the other hand, il
she marries an actor there's ap to
be trouble, and If he isn't an actor
he won't understand. It's six of one
and half a dozen of the other, but
then one must marry. I suppose"
But it's really too big a problem
for one lady to solve while she is
playing Shakespearean repertoire.
Her ambition-for everyone has an
dlHDlllUu even IL she mas reached Int
heights of Juliet, Rosalind, Portia
and Lady Macbeth-is to play some
fine. big role in which there Is a pan
tomimic dance that develops the
story.
Il love dancing. | practice regu-
larly now, both for the enjoyment and
for the exercise. There isn't any
thing better for keeping the body In
health. OF course, even IL I find the
part ] have In mind / shall always
play Shakespeare, too"
We hope so, for we know both the
bard and the public would regret the
loss of this heroine.