New Britain herald., 1917-12-27

the highest principles of the theater, the best attention. Watch him. Any player who has an opportunity to be cast with Mrs. F'iske can be happy. The Playgoer says that he has i'm pressed the actress-that will suffice for his success.
 The Playgoer's story:
 'When a perfectly healthy actor at tempts to play successfully a part which requires the appearance and characteristics of an invalid his trou- bles begin, according to Alfred Cross, who portrays the role of Chopin in Madame Sand" at the Criterion The ater. Those familiar with the biogra- phies of. Chopn know that at the time of his meeting with the fascinating George Sand the great composer was a victim of the malady which eventu- ally caused his death; therefore in or der to present the character faithfully it was essential that the actor who played the part should convey the idea of failing health. :"
 During the rehearsals of the play MT. Cross impressed Mrs. F1ske and the author, Philip Moeller, as being very we'll suited in appearance to the character, and all were confident that with the aid of skilfu1 makeup the ideal stage Chopin would be realized. When the first performance of the play was given out of town Cross de- picted the required symptoms of ill- ness so we'll that the reviewers made special mention of the fact, which nat urally was pleasing to the actor and all concerned.
 However, after couple of weeks Cross discovered that he was taking on flesh with rapidity which threat ened to end all chance of his~appear- ing in the part on Broadway. The faint contour of a double chin def1ed the art of making up and an increas- ing waistline caused growing anxiety. To make matters worse the keen eyes of Mrs. Fiske noted the diminishing look of illness in the face and form of Chopin. Something had to be done to preserve the fidelity of the charac- ter and without delay.
 "In desperation Cross rushed of to physical culture institute, where he was presented to a husky individual who solemnly guaranteed. to reduce the actors weight five pounds in a week. Overjoyed at the / prospect Cross arose each morning at o'clock
 
 an indoor track until on the verge of collapse. Then he was. stretched on a table and his body vigorously kneaded and pounded by the heavy handed in- structor, who appeared to take spe- cial delight in his work. This was fol- lowed by steaming process and a final cold plunge, the net result being an appetite that would do credit to a longshoreman, with the difference that Cross was restricted. to the small est quantity of food.
 . "At the end. of the week the actor found that despite the exercising and self-denial he had gained several pounds. the only visible loss being the considerable sum he had paid in advance for the course.
 Heartily discouraged and with faith gone Cross proceeded to eat his first regular meal in week. In a quandary and with indignation in his soul he returned to the physical cul- ture expert and demanded to know why he had not lost in weight. The expert informed him that his was a tough case' and also explained that frequently person who seeks to re- duce will gain flesh at first With this slight ray of hope Cross persevered and by the time the play opened at the Criterion had succeeded in talk ing off several pounds.
 ''The fight is still on, however, and those who witness his excellent work