New-York tribune., 1918-12-15
Bv Harriette Underhill

1as. night, in Florence Reeds dress
..n roor at the Republic Theatre. we
talked over old times and the theory
.sronced in her new play "Roads Of
n.st;nv" And she told us why she
;,st had to be an actress and we told
Aer why We had to be q newspaper
norson when we wanted TO be an act
ress
The first time VIC saw Florence Reed
che was on the stage of the old Fifth
Avenue Proctor's and we were sitting
in the front row of the gallery. Then
snd there we resolved to be an actress.
We told Miss Reed Of this last night,
and Of our mad Worship and our dream
of some day being able to speak to her.
eAnd do you remember the lovely
clothes you used to wear?" We asked.
4Do remember?" said Miss Reed,
musingly. DO I remember? Yes,
do remember l was receiving the
magnificent sum of $50 q week Mrs.
Osborne was designing my gowns, and
at the end Of strenuous season
Sound myself minus my small inheri-
tsnce, with ten trunks full of gorgeous
sowns and another trunk full of bills.
That was all
But did 7 care? Not in the least.
The only thing that ever mattered was
the theatre 1t is the only big thing in
NY life. And after all these years it has
me still in its thrall The glamour
never has worn off, the fascination
never diminished. Every part that I
create seems like my first part. Every
performance that 1 give seems like an
opening night. never could live away
from the theatre
so that is Why you are different
from other people, is it? That is why
we love to watch your performance =?
Because you love to give it,
Say that again. It is music to my
ears. If any one approves Of me it
makes me SO happy!"
We didn't ike 10 tell Miss Reed just
how strongly we approved of her for
lear she wouldn't believe US. She has
radiant personality which nothing
can dim and We never have seen her
DO anything that we didn't like. This
much we did tell her, however, and
she answered quickly; Il wish every
one could say that! No, I don't either,
for then perhaDs l never should i'm
prove Do you know that my per
formances are usually made all over
alter the first night? I read what all
the critics say about my performance
and then Try to remould it nearer to
their hearts desire
Then you are not one Of those ar
lists who snap their fingers at critics
and criticism? You know, some of
our very best actors have q supreme
contempt for newspaper people and
their warped views"
Now, We cannot be sure. but we
think Miss Reed said "Bunk!" Per
haps she said "Bosh." or "Nonsense!' =
But We hone she said Bunk" because
I. Is more reassuring. At any rate
she did say, "Posers. That's what they
are. Why do you suppose we sit VI
all night after the opening perform
ance to grab the papers if we done
care what YOU people say? Of course
we care.
And, by the way. my favorite critic
said thai I overplayed one act ane
I'm dying to know which act it is. Il
can't be tile first one, because he ap
proved Of me strongly as Rose lie Claire
and it doesn't seem as though it car
De the second. But do ask him and le-
Inc know so can tone it down if In
wrong Now, could anything be NOR,
aelightful than this in star?
Il think it must be in the last act.
continued Miss Reed. "And the troubl,
mad with that last actl You know
'nere are certain people who are al
ways going to laugh at nut IT,
al right; l don't say | wouldn't do i