Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-18
AMATEUR ACTORS OF LONG AGO


CONTINUED from Third PaeeN
among the many magnificent floral
tributes a large star of immortelIes.
with the word "Thalian" in rosebuds.
from the club she had helped to or
game, and in which she had won her
way to professional life.
Another popular member was Hub
bard 7. Smith. whose poetical and mu-
| steal talent was made evident In his
widely popular songs. Listen to My
Tale or VICE., Swinging in the Grape
vine Swing and IF You Love Me, Oar
ling, Tell Me With Your Eyes" He
was a personal friend OF John Hay, the
great secretary of State. and later con-
| nected with the consular service.
Miss Minnie Frye played numerous
leading roles with the Italians, and
after receiving many flattering offers
or professional engagements, one from
DION Boucicault, made her debut at
DAYS Theater, New York, September
II. 1879. under the stage name of Mar
saret Lanner. as Grace in Divorce"
! The following season she was leading
woman at the Boston Theater. Her sis
ter. MISS Katie Frye. was also local
favorite in soubrette roles.
Israel Kimball. jr., prince of good
fellows. made big hits in ours" as
Prince Petrovsky. and as Eccles in
Robertson's Caste" After seeing him
in the latter role, W. H. Crane. then
adopt the stage as profession and
offered him a position In his own COM
pany.
Some of the Old Favorites.
Another favorite was John Tweedale,
now Colonel. retired, United States
Army. for years popular elocutionist.
John 3. Randolph's enthusiasm and
ability also did much for the substan-
tial aid and success of the club BY
many he was favorably compared with
Harry Montague, the then great mat
NEE Idol in professional theatricals
sun others prominent in the several
CLUBS were Messrs. S. w. Keen, James
r Joyce. j. r. Gisburne, Dr. Warren,
Walter L. Dennis. Ralph Jefferson, w.
Z. Murdoch, Herndon Morsen, Thad.
Sailer, Howard S. Nyman, Edison B.
Olds, Charlie Mallard, Rudolph Kaur-
mann. Prof. Lucien Colliere, Misses
Katie Frye. Hattie D. Mcconnell. Carrie
| Wilmington, Carrie Bloss, Mae Cooner
Lott1e swallow. Agnes Kennedy. Ida
Iuilock. Mrs. Jennie True and Mrs. Nc
Cornell. o. 1'Ao-
Among the contributing members of
the ITALIAN Club were: President Car
| held, Gems. W. T. Sherman. J. n Ketch.
| UNI, H. L. Pelouze and Green r Raum.
Senator Lot NJ. Morrill,, Henry d
Cooke, Postmaster Pc General D. NJ Key,
Samuel Shallenberger. o. H. Irish, ]. NJ
Wilson. A. D. Hazen. H E. Paine. II.
a. Willard, NJ. G. Emery, George G.
Gorham. ]. x. Luttrell, Marquis de
Chambrun. r. B. Mohun, A. S. Solo
mons, simon Wolf, b. H. Warner and
perhaps hundred others of promi-
hence.
| The performances by the club were
always OF the highest order and scru-
pulous attention was marked in their
every detail. The rehearsals were fire.
tings were elaborate, and not infre-
quently new or special scenery and
correct costumes were procured from
leading professional costumers of New
music, under the direction Of a compe-
tent leader, was always a feature.
The exceptional success of the club
was largely attributed to the splendid
stage direction of Mr.. Sailer, who had
been previously connected with the
| Wheatly Dramatic Club of Philadel-
phia, and to the adaptability and I'M
firing energy of John r. Gisbourne in
! business management Mr. Gisbourne
was also quite popular as a comedian
cause OF charity prompted the big
complimentary benefit rendered him at
Ford's Opera House in 1879.
Others who were listed in the active
| membership u tAe AdihouS diHaeeoi VI
CARNATIONS include James E. Bangs,
Charles H. Babbitt. A. B. Briggs. c. E.
Bailey. s. G. Elliott, Charles L. Hughes
L. F. Harbaugh, H. c. hewitt, c. II
Story, F. H. Smell, Charles A. Snow. E
n. Taber, Mrs. c. C. Adams, Fannie
Sennett. Mrs. j. NJ. Babbitt. Alice Bur-
nett. Mrs. w. L. Bramhall, Mrs. Kate
bruce. Lolita Church. Nina Dovilliers
Mrs. Dora Dufour, Belle Elliott. Kate
joodall. Mrs. Hart. Eva Henderson
sophie Jackson, Agnes Kennedy, Mi
randa Lucas. Helen McIlhenny. Ada
Moxon. Mrs. NJ. E. Norris. Mrs. A. Ruth
erford, Amy Philip, Sallie Townley
/ Hattie E. Townley, Ida Tulloch, lola
Williams, Carrie Wilmington, Mamie
Wilson and India Woltz.
Lawrence Barrett Club.
But there is yet more to be said Of
the famous Lawrence Barrett Club
other productions have never been sur.
passed in the world of amateur theat.
ricals. and of the amateur opera com.
I panies of the earlier days, one of which
under the direction of that splendid
musician. Prof. Harry C. Sherman, pre-.
: scented Gilbert and Sullivan's opera
> 'Pinafore," for the first time in Wash.
ington and for the third time in the
United States. at Fords Opera House
January %. 1879.
I Ask for TOlman Laundry Family Wash
price list. Main observation-disclosures
! Kept Their Marriage Secret.