The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-22
EAST SIDE KEEN FOR ART?
JUST ASK JEAN WEBSTER
She's Lectured There and Faced the Fire of Questions
From the Girls at the Jacob Riis Settlement So She
Knows-New Authority on American Cocktails

Miss ,and Playwright Jean Webster OF
Nassar and Broadway says that she often
has wondered how much exaggeration,
overenthusiasm, at least. there was In
the assertion OF her Vassar settlement
working friends that tho East side man
and women, boys and girls, are Chron-
ically athirst for knowledge on all sub
jects. especially knowledge OF the arts
These friends few days ago asked
Miss Webster to talk TO an audience of
working girls az the Jacob Rils Settle
ment about her own play, Daddy Long
Legs or about playwrighting or any
other subject connected with the drama.
once Miss Webster had finished her talk
to the working girls. however, and her
audience had begun to heckle her she
says she lost all doubts about the East
Sides Interest i'm art
Despite the attention she received dur
ing her talk Miss Webster stil retained
the doubts during The lecture proper BY
supreme mental effort Miss Webster re-
Trained from dwelling to any extent upon
her Daddy Long-1.egs' She paid a trio
ute to the star OF the piece. Miss Ruth
Chat,ertOu. but never once did she add,
Now playing at the Gaiety Theatre. Tel
ephone Bryant two-one-oh. matinees
Wednesdays and Saturdays"
Instead, Miss Webster spoke on the
playwrlghts technique. Then at the first
word OF her announce mcnt that she would
he glad to hear from any girl present who
had any questions TO ask about the phase
Of the drama under discussion there was
nutter OF excitement, and four girls
tried TO get the floor privilege simultane-
ouslv
As she saw how deadly In earnest they
we're about firing questions from AN over
the assembly room. Misc Webster saws
she was tremendously impressed and
pleased with the all pervddiug thirst TOR
art knowledge with smiling eNpoatula-
lions Miss Webster finally got a semhanCe
Of order and recognized" an insistent
young person who had been trying to
drown out all others
Now. one at a time. please!' cried
Miss Webster. Because OF the great IN
terest in the drama YOU are showing
shall gladly stay here AL night II ueces-
sdry to answer you and shall draw upon
whatever knowledge ! may. or may not.
have about the theatre for your benefit.
Now, young lady in the third row, what is
not yet clear to you2
Does" began the girl. gasping win
excitement. does Miss Chatterton wear
her own hair''
That's my question cried two other
girls at the rear 81 the room WitheInRly
81 asked IL first, snapped the girl In the
! third row. 81 1870
"Onc minute, one minute, please go said
Miss Webster commaudiugly.
Yes, she assured the questiouer. Miss
, Chattertou wears her own hair. ou and
OF. When the ripple OF excited discussion
that followed the settling OF this question
had died down a bit Miss Webster "recog-
nized' other hccklers in turn. Oracng
herself and expecting TO be noorcd az any
{ minute by some quest for Information
bout the dramatic unities or other an-
pay lot Of attention TO- but which. on
( the word OF Miss Websters settlement
| working friends. the East Side is posi-
J lively ravenous about.
as Miss Chatterton's hair dyed came
| next
| certainly not" answered Miss Webster
/ a bit severely Miss Chatterton innerits
/ tnat snaac OF nair from iet mothr,."
What's Miss ChattertOns real name go
Her fathers real name is Mr.. Chatter
! ton. her mothers Mrs. Chatterton," an
| swercd VI ~ Webster. and therefore I
/ gather that Miss Chattertons real name II
/ Miss Cnattetton.'
\ tall high browed young woman arose
and peered intently through thick lenSed
, spectaCles al Miss Webster to ask the
lap question. Now, felt the playwright
. it's coming no frNolity here Aud she
1 had guessed right
81 desire to know" began the spec
/ tacled young woman .mpressEe.y. Just
/ one thing about the stage. am EN-
/ ployed In u Well known Flrh avenue
| dressmaking establishment. DO on
happen to know whether OF not Miss
| Chatterton bought the pink Charmeus'
gown she wears in your play with the