Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-09-24
FLASHES FROM "STARSn

A. F. MacColin who plays the genial and
delightful stage driver, jeremiah Cobb, I'M
Kate Douglas wiggin and Charlotte Thomp-g
sons comedy, "Rebecca of sunnybrook Farm"
at the Walnut street Theatre, is one of the
Oldest living actors. Mr.. MacCollin was one
of the organizers Of the wheatley Dramatic
Association in Philadelphia in 1866 which en-
rolled such names as John Mccullough, e. HE
Hearn and D. w. Farrell He was a member
Of the famous Ford Company, producers OF
standard operas, and originated the part OF
Ralph Rakestraw, the leading tenor role in
Gilbert and Sullivans opera, "Pinafore," in this
country After several years with this organ
iaation he Joined D'oyley Carte at the Fifth
Avenue Theatre in New York for the produce
tion Of the Pirates of Penzance," and playedA
the principal comedy role When "The Mikadop I
was produced. the part Of Koko assigned
to the late Roland Reed who opened but afterR
two performances was compelled to give It u,, \
on account of illness. Mr.. MacCollin succeeded /
him, and was accredited as the originator oh
this role. For five years he was a member OF 4
the Stetson Company, playing repertoire OF !
the light operas. In the last few years Mr..
MacCollin has been identified with the Savage.
Frohman and shubert forces. playing princi-
pay dramatic comedy roles. He is now sue !
ceedng the late Archie Boyd in the part OF
Jeremiah Cobb in "Rebecca of sunnybrook
Farm most congenial role.
Helen Ware star Of "The Revolt" the cur
rent attraction at the Adelphi Theatre, says
she once owned pet Egyptian scarab, an in
sect resembling the cricket. above all things
else" said Miss Ware, "the scarab is noted for B
its longevity. often living as long as 800 years
My scarab died year ago in its infancy-it 4
was only 100 years old. I had II for only three
years of its life. It was the most unique pet
Il
1t lived in little cage. and I fed it on sugar.
water. Once I gave it sugar diluted in cham
payne, and you should have seen that beetle
it got quite tipsy. It's antics were terribly fun
ny. Sometimes 1 wore the scarab attached to
a thin gold chain called it Amenoteph.' The
Egyptians used to worship the scarab, you
know. I adored my pet, and wept at its demise.
I'd thought of having a little tombstone made
tiny urn; but lost the dead pet in trav-
cling. On the tombstone I would have had
Here lies Amenoteph. who died in his infancy
he only a hundred" "
Alas" sighed Miss Ware "if only the youth I
of plays were less brief!'
In Lawrence Eyres play THE Things That
Count" presented last season at William A. (
Bradys New York Playhouse, one OF the per- |!
sonal successes was made by Violet de Biccari, /
a child of 12. George T. Brennan managing d-
rector Of pilates Daughter" to open at the
Chestnut Street Opera House next week. was
one OF the thousands who admired the work
Of the child. When it came time for organizing
the cast of pilates Daughter" Mr.. Brennan
sought Miss de Biccari, and, fortunately, was
able to place her under contract for the pro-
iuction She will play the leading role in the
first act of the play. Violet is proud OF the fact
hat she has the famous prima donna. Marcella
Sembrich, godmother and that Caruso,
'cotti and Andreas Dippel are among her
rlends Violet's father is n boyhood friend OF
'aruso and fellow countryman. Like other
alented children of the stage. Miss de Biccari
las made success in posing in motion pic
ures and she has also a number OF stage sue
esses to her credit. She played in The Top OF
he Morning" and Hop o. My Thumb" Her
m6ition is to become great singer.