The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-11-08

tober 80. 1877. playing the part of Old
Plantation. negro character, In u pla,
called "Woodlelgh." During his first
season. Mr.. Skinner enjoyed the mag
nifcent salary OF SIS weekly. This was
paid when business was good, and when
1t was not Mr.. Skinner had to resort
to many devices in order to be able
to meet his landindy
The following season he became a
member of the Walnut Street stock
Company. In Philadelphia, at double
the salary. and was given important
parts to play. This was tho period
when stars alone Travelled from city
to city. and were supported by the
| local stock companies. And 80 during
Ills second year he played In the sup
port Of Lawrence Barrett, John McCul-
! Tough, Mary Anderson, John L. Ray
mond, Madame JanauSchek and many
other OF the well-known leading play
ers Of the time. This stock work
has been of !nestimable value to MIR.
Skinner. for the round OF parts he
played included everything from roar
| ing farce to Shakespeare.
| From the Walnut Street stock. Mr..
Skinner went to New York City. OBJ
tanning an engagement with the Kiral-
ify Brothers at Niblo's Garden in play
called "Enchantment.'' which was fol-
lowed By Hearts OF Steel Then
( began Mr.. SINNERS long association
l
the kiralfy management he obtained an
engagement with Mr.. Booth, who was
/ then playing at BOOTHS Theatre, at
the corner of Sixth Averuc and Thirty
! third Street. Then Cane an engage
ment with the famous Boston Theatre
I Stock Company, which was followed by
three seasons with Lawrence Barrett
and five years with Augustin Days
Company In New York, during which
time Mr.. Skinner made three trips to
Europe with that famous organiza-
| ton.
| In 1889 Mr.. Skinner made his frs,
stellar appearance in Chicago In a
play called The Red Signal written
I by his brother Charles and himself.
! Then came the Booth Modjeska engage
/ ment; then trip to London for a
special engagement OF eight weeks TO
play Romeo. at the Globe Theatre, to
the Juliet of well-known actress
Mathcr. which were followed by two
years playing opposite parts to
Madame Modjeska
! In 1894 Mr.. Skinner produced under
his own management play by the
late Clyde Fitch called His Grace de
| Grammont." and the same season "The
Kings Jester" by his brother. Charles
Skinner The seasons of 1856. Mr..
| Skinner presented play called vii
lon, the Vagabond" by his brother.
| Charles Skinner, and a Shakespearean
! repertory, including THE Merchant of
| Venice" Richard ILL.," The Tanning
| of the Shrew" (using the Booth version
under the title of katherine and Pc
| truchio"), Romeo and Juliet" and
Hamlet His Hamlet was orally
| regarded as Il splendid scholarly and
! artistic achievement. He also coca
sionally put on Bulwer's THE Lady of
/ Lyons"
/, The following year. at Joseph Jeffer-
sons urgent request Mr.. Skinner, play
{ ed opposite that actor In his round of
old English comedies. Then came
| Rosemary" Francesca da Rimini."
! prince Otto" "Labarre." 1.-THE Harvest
/ err" The Duel" Your Humble Serv-
ant. Sire" The Honor OF the Fam
i lily" and "Kismet," in which romantic
! picture of the Orient he appeared for
| three seasons.
/ 1895 was n most notable year for
| Mr.. Skinner, for II was early in this
! year that he married Miss Maud Dur
| bin. whom he had met during his en-
! gagement with Madame Modjeska. and
in June of that year Tufts College con-
ferred upon him the honorary degree
| of Master of Arts. he being one OF
three players thus honored by Amer
! lean universities.