New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-07
MISS ELLINGTON HAPPY
She Likes Her Part in THE
Lie" and Also Broadway.

One has only to talk with Margaret
Ellington for the space of five minutes
susceptible natures may be given
less time, in order to come beneath
her spell Of almost intense sincerity and
her genuine, wholesome enthusiasm
regarding everything. She would APP
near 10 have the quality Of marshall
ing regiment in short order, dis
arming trick of gaining her own ends
with the least effort. and IL she had
not long ago been proclaimed one OF
our leading emotional actresses there
is little doubt that she would have
been a leading spirit in public or civic
affairs Of some sort Essentially femi-
nine, Miss Ellington has only to look
at you with her expressive, appealing
eyes, and half the victory is hers at
the start. Add to this the tender, ap-
pealing note in her voice, and she
could move men and mountains IL she
so wished.
We were conscious OF this within
less than the five minutes referred to
above az we chatted with the star Of
Henry Arthur Jones's latest play, "The
Lie" while seated in her dressingroom
at the Harris Theatre, on Wednesday
evening last. Miss Ellington had just
completed two performances Of one Of
the most difficult, most physically
wearing parts she has ever played, and
our opening question was a natural
one-thc monosyllable. Tired"
A fleeing shadow of fatigue crossed
her features as she answered. Eyes, /
sm a bit worn out tonight. find
that six hours day devoted TO Elinor
Shale IS pretty severe strain, and
after two performances, especially
playing before two such enthusiastic,
sympathetic audiences a. those In front
to-day, audiences which call out the
very best in you, find that Am pretty
thoroughly tired out"
Somewhat irrelevantly, we thought,
Miss Ellington suddenly exclaimed, "Oh,
but there is a tremendous satisfaction
in doing the sort Of work in the world
which one most wishes to do. Though"
enc added, as sort of afterthought,
II don't wish TO convey the impression
that am really satisfied with my work
at the moment. That spirit leads TO
stagnation, the most deadly Of crimes
In the theatre. One must progress and
go forward, or else step out of the
race. I want 70 feel that each season
finds me q better actress, that ! am
constantly growing and developing,
giving out something bigger and more
illuminative all the time, and when
the day comes in which ! know that
have ceased 10 grow, artiStically, then
] hope ] shall have the good sense to
give II all up.
at is a trite observation, many have
said il before me, know and have
probably expressed themselves better
than J." she added. with a humorous
light playing in her eyes-"but the
greatest drawback TO the profession Of
acting is Its lack of introspection. the
form Of determination through which
one may meet truth face 10 face. I'm
like any of the other creative arts,
writing, painting, music. sculpturing
and composition Of any sort, il is i'm
/ possible 70 stand of and regard il in
retrospection, 20 be able 20 destroy or
smash II, If it does not reach the
standard one has set for u. OF course.
one cannot help but know II n thing
Is good or bad, IL you have given II
/ life, breathed vitality into il. But
what chance has the actor 70 recreate
role. so to speak? Yet, one NAV vary
/ II bit from time 20 time, try a new
/ touch here, new point there, but the
result is never the same as in an art
( which one may judge impartially. work
and mould over, retouch and build I'D
until il attains the high mark one has
/ hoped for it. You know, you can't very
well act a part and then stand by and
see yourself doing it, now, can you ?
Yes. possibly the motion picture actor
can-but that is not quite what I
mean! Acting is n passing. transitory
thing, sort Of fash, so 20 speak; that
is both its tragedy and fascination, but
It's pity that IL Is not given US 10 be
able TO personally visualize that which
We are interpreting. II only it could
be so. should be a much better ac-
tress | am sure!
What did you ask" Miss Ellington
Intercepted in reply 10 our parting
question. Glad to be back on Broad
way again? Oh. my good man. have
you ever played Muskogee. Oklahoma ?
No? Well, 7 did. exactly two years
ago. upon the fifteenth Of this Feb
ruary. That, SIR, is the ansVerl'