Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-31

for the week I'm there to rehearse
with me-"
He Haunted Shakespears.-Lawren
Grossmith was once a Shakespearean
actor, in support of Sir Herbert Beer
6ohm Tree. In the same company was
Gerald du Maurier, son Of the author
of 'Trilby" and now one of London's
leading actor managers. Quite recent
ly Mr.. Grossmith told a hitherto I'M
published story concerning his associa-
tions with these two famous players.
1T was in the days long before Tree
was knighted," said Mr.. Grossmith. II
had just gone on the stage, and in the
same company was Gerald du Maurier,
who was great pal of mine. We were
youngsters. ready for a lark at any
time, and Tree had us in the company
with him largely because of family In
fuences.
AT the time Tree was playing roper
toire on the road and whenever Julius
Caesar was on the bill ii was necessary
for du Maurier and l to play the roles
of citizens in the mob scene. My es-
pecial duty was to climb up a pillar
and shake my fist at Tree in his speech
to the mob. Meanwhile, du Maurier
was down stage leading the citizens
One night du Maurier and l decided
TO change lines and places He ascend
ed the pillar, while took his place as
leader of the mob on the stage. Tree
knew nothing of the change. When the
time came for the interruption, du
Maurier. tall and thin. suddenly
emerged from behind the pillar, made
up exactly as the late Sir Henry Irv-
ing. He had wig of long white hair,
and, pointing his finger toward Tree
he delivered his lines in the thin, trem-
bling raucous voice of Irving, giving a
perfect imitation OF that celebrated
actor.
Tree paused in amazement, stopped
the performance and went up in his
lines, while the audience howled. In a
few minutes Tree descended from the
rostrum and walked over to where
stood He had in his hand the long
roll which served as Caesars will It
was roll of cloth fastened to two
sticks of wood. When he came to the
line. And here Is Caesars WILL he
opened wide his arms, swinging the
left arm with the will SO that 1t struck
me full upon the forehead. / staggered
backward as though he had blinded me
and made by way off stage as though
IL were part of the mob scene
Hastily rushing to the dressing room
| secured large piece of putty, the
Kind actors use TO build up their noses,
and plastered II over my eye. SO that 1t
looked like great welt. Then / went
back to the stage, pushed my way
through the mob and took a position
near 1Ft6- " men ne saw my dis
colored face and the great welt, he
went up in his lines again
After that act, both du Maurier and
/ expected to be fred. but we were
tickled beyond words in our youthful
enthusiasm over upsetting the dignity
of such a serious actor. Right in the
midst of our fun messenger sum-
moned us to visit Mr.. Tree on our way
out of the theater. Du Maurier went
In first and through the open door /
heard what was said.
"A very good imitation Of Sir Henry
Irving began Tree. but hardly the
time or the place. my boy. After all.
you must remember Shakespeare, yo,,
know? SHAKESPEARE, That is all And :
hesitating, if you must initiate some
one hereafter. don't initiate Irving
"Du Maurier retired and I took his
place.
I'm am very sorry, Lawrence said
FIR. Tree. I hit you an awful rap on
the head. but. after all. you deserved
IT. Remember, II was Shakespeare nv
boy-Shakespeare, and you Haunted
him. I am sorry. however
Then he came over and touched the
putty welt, which came off instantly in
his hand. and he could not refrain
from laughter.
From that time Tree and were
good friends. and this friendship still