The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-14
The First Vaudeville Sketch MT. Harry
 Beresford Ever Played Was Written Bv
 Mr. Bozen1dn Buleer Former Birninohoy1 Man
By DOLLY DALRYMPLE

|
 English actor whose charming little
 sketch round at the Lyric this week
 entitled sTwenty Odd Years" is at
 tracting so much favorable comment
 told me yesterday just after the mati-
 nee when 1 had the pleasure of chat ting with him for a few minutes that the first vaudeville sketch that he ever played was written by former Bir- mingham man, MT. Bozeman Bulger now of New York but for many years valued member of The Age-Herald staff.
 You sec Mir. Beresford said, T had never dreamed of going into vaudeville. Always I had played the legitimate, and about three years ago l was sitting in the Lambs club in New York one day when MT. Bozeman Bulger suggested that do a sketch which he had written. I accepted and within very short time the sketch was staged and had it's premiere on Broadway. MT. Bulger wrote the most exquisite little story; some one described it as cameo, it was so dainty and so refined, and while if made something of hit 1t was really too refined and too dainty to be popular"
 "In the meantime" Mr. Beresford continued another young chap--anews- paper man whom l had never known until he introduced himself-said to me one day: I've been watching you from the peanut gallery for years; I've always wanted to write something for Tt dau while Of course, as we all do jumped at the chance of a clever sketch and told the youngster that I would ac- cept it. provided I was in possession Of the manuscript by 3 o'clock the next day I thought that would scare the young fellow off, but instead he sat up all night writing the p1aylet and handed it to me the next day at the hour named. l was delighted with the sketch and used 1t for two seasons, and that's really how I got my start in vaudeville"
 And have you always played old men rolls?" I asked curiously, as l closely noted the tremendous differ ence between the handsome, youthful looking star "on" and "of' the stage
 Tall, erect, with a dandy physique. flashing, brown eyes and shock of hair that would make you label him an 'artist'--a Paderewski a Mischa Es man or somebody equally as artistic looking-Mr. Beresford impresses the casual observer as most charming and unusual man.
 In answer to my question he said:
 "Yes, it's odd that I should have drifted-because that's what l really did--into old men roles. Few young ac fn oox fha of s{x things of that sort. Most of them want to be matinee idols and wear good looking clothes and pose. When I first went on the stage many, many years ago with Maude Adams--so many years ago that l am afraid it would be un- fair to the fair star to say how many I played an old man character sketch I seemed soon to become identified with that work and once an actor essays a certain type or character, it is very diff hcult for him to get away from it. At the Gayety theatre in London again played the part of an old man which was success, and from that time on l have done nothing else-not even in vaudeville"
 The makeup and the walk-an of the old man characteristics you seem to have mastered" I suggested.
 Always l am being asked MT. Beres- ford said quickly, about the art of play ing the role of old men on the stage and always have to reply that there really is no art or if there is. I don't know 1t. Then the question comes promptly: But how then do you play your old men parts? And again am forced to respond. I do not know; just play them. That's all. l am sorry to disappoint people who ask me, but I tell them the truth
 But you have made a special study surely of old men in real life. haven't you?" I questioned. You've watched them and made notes of their little pecu- liaritles which distinguish old age from youth?"
 Again, I'm afraid I ain very disappoint- ing,' was the reply, because I cannot plead guilty to any of those things. | suppose it would sound more natural for me to tell you that for years l worked and worked, getting hold of my idea of just what an old man should be, and that each of my old men is an exact character copied from life, down to the smallest de- tail. If such had been the case, am afraid the characters I present would show distinct signs that they had been built up on mechanical methods and that they would be suited and unreal when as a matter of fact no acting should be ever like that. It should all appear natural, however hard the actor may have worried and worked over mere details.''
 Ts it difficult to play old men roles more so, do you think, that juveniles?" asked.
 T never played but one juvenile role in all my life," said MT. Beresford, ESQ i 1 can answer with immunity, that old men roles come more naturally to me than the other kind. You see, I've been doing old men parts ever since I was young, and that makes it almost second nature with me now. wouldn't exactly say that play