Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-12-01
THEATRICAL
GOSSIP

This afternoon at the Palace
Theatre. Manhattan, Nina Barbour
makes her debut as a professional
singer under the management of
Philip Nash, who is the father of the
fairy godmother of Miss Barbour.
The story of this young woman's
stage appearance is as romantic as
any fairy tale ever told.
Born in a western Indiana town,
Miss Barbour, who is the daughter of
PRESBYTERIAN parents of small means,
has always sung in the choir of her
native village until last fall, when
with 5000 In her pocket she came to
New York to "get on" the stage in
a chorus If necessary. But week after
week passed and the money grew less
and less, She visited every booking
office and met the same discouraging
answer: "Choruses all booked up"
In all the weeks she hopelessly pur-
sued work she never as much as had
chance to have her voice heard.
Funds finally gave out and this
plucky girl took In sewing and earned
So. so a week. She was determined not
to let her parents find out the truth
failure. At the suggestion OF the
manufacturer who gave her piece
work, she went into the factory,
where she was soon earning Sc a
week.
While she worked she sang. Her
voice was loved by all the employees
and the manufacturer told her that
she should be earning her living by
her voice and not her hands.
One day about two weeks ago Mary
| Nash, who will appear here next
week at the Shubert as the leading
woman in 1.-THE Lure" went for ride
| in a taxi with some friends. The taxi
broke down in front OF the factory
where Miss Barbour was working
While waiting the voice of Miss Nina
barbour waited out from the upper
window of the building In front OF
which Miss Nash stood. Mary Nash
| is q singer and was for some years
/ in musical production. She inquired
| from the policeman who the singer
might be and he told her about the
| girl who worked in the factory. Miss
Nash acted Enthusiastically. She
entered the factory, sought out the
girl, invited her to come to her house
| that evening, and when Nina Bar
bour kept her promise she met Miss
| Marys father, Philip Nash, who, as
manager, then and there signed q
contract with her.
Those who attend the perform
ances of 1.-THE Squaw Man at the
Shubert Theatre this week will have
an opportunity to see one OF the
strongest acting organizations New
ark has produced in the stock line.
The company is fortunate In obtain
ling the services of so talented an
actress as Miss Jean Murdoch as
leading woman. 1t is also fortunate
in the fact that the leading man,
Walter P. Richardson, has appeared
in the title role of this piece before
and made good" If merit counts
for anything this should be a success
full week at the Shubert.
The formal opening of the New Pay
ton Theatre tonight as the Keeney
Theatre, with high-class vaudeville
at popular prices, will be attended
with informal festivities.
After the performance the city Of
ficials and department employees,
who will be present as guests of the
proprietor of the house, Frank A.
Keeney, will adjourn to Harburger's
restaurant, across the street, where
they will enjoy further hospitality.
It is expected there will be about 100
in the party.
Miss Katherine Eyman's piano re-
cital tomorrow at 8.15 p. M, at Wal
| lace Hall, is looked forward to with
| pleasant anticipation by lovers OF
| music.