Evening star., 1921-07-10


back in the sos. has passed from
The last appearance of the Barrett
Dramatic Club was at Lincoln nan.
The Rambler has not the date. but II
could not have been later than 1889
for in that year the old hall was re-
modelled and renamed Herzog ,s, 5
Museum. The last play of the CLUB
was Among the Breakers, ana IN Ihe
historian of the Barretts says: me me
, performance went with aash az
smoothness. and the members were
called before the curtain several
times. Miss Annie Lewis played on
the banjo and responded seVeTai
| times; her sister, Miss Lille, also
scored success with her songs Wnite
Mr.. Tim Murphy and Mr.. r. ra.r ~ With With
by kept she audience In a roar Wt.h
tion."
IN the sketch of the Barrett Club
written twenty three years ago by
Talbot Pulizi, 1t is interesting TO
quote some of the observations which
he makes about the players. Here Is
one:
Little did Mr.. Barrett think that from this
club he would some day have young ',,or ae,or
| in his company that would surprise the critics
and the dramatic profession. IT was so. ana
f, Mr. Charles Hanford wns that gentleman: In
the fail of 1888. at the opening or the drana q
played Mare Antony e Mr.. Booths Brutus
and Mr.. Bnrrett's Cassius. and the p'rss DE-
voted a great deal of space TO tnls gfabd
production and highly praised Mr. Hanford's 3 :
achievement for so young a man. "nte Vim
the Booth and Barrett combination Mr. Han
ford sn 1r"nE parts in
sio in .Othello," Dell Aqula in THE Fool,s
Revenge" Count de Baradas In 'Richelieu, :
Grntiano in THE Merchant Of Venice. and and
! since starred throughout the country and been
star and manager with Mr.. Thomas keene;
| His rendition of The Star spangted Banner
is well known all over the United states
when he begins The Star spangled
| Banner" with "oh! (prolonged) say
/ (also prolonged) can you see! the
| audience just naturally comes to at
| tention and lends him its ears.
i Here is another observation out OF
that old story which will recall mem-
ories of a fine man whom nearly all
| of us knew:
! Mr. Clarence B. Rheern now with B. H.
/ Warner 4 Co. was an tndefhtigable worker
in the club. and his performance OF Brntus to
! Mr. Hanfords Cassius was a finished piece OF
| acting as was his Bassanio in ''The Merchant
| Of Venice" His brother Ned. as he was Ia
mliarly called was prompter at all the per.
! f0rmaCcfS, II
Caesar" and The Merchant of Venice and
! IL person omitted a word he was sure to
| call attention to it, He became physician;
but death has called him to the undiscovered
country from whose bourne no traveller re-
I turns"
| Here is another extract from that
| article of 1898 in connection with the
I presentation of The Merchant of
Venice" at the National Theater. June
9, 1884:
! Mr.. Frank Soyes. who always PLAYED
Launceiot Gobbo and waa considered by the
press as the best I.auncelot on the stage. was
| called out west. and on two days notice Mr.
| John Benedck assumed the character. The
| performance said: Mr. Benedick who played
the part OF IAuncelot Gobbo on two days
| notice showed apparently no lack whatever OF
! Q thorough familiarity with his lines ana met
\ with quite n reception
| Here is a triplet Of paragraphs
| about Wilton Lackaye. James Ma
honey and Tim Murphy:
| Mr.. Wilton IAckeye was a hard and con-
| scientious worker while he was A member.
| His acting in David Garrick" is well re-
! membered hv all who had the pleasure OF see
| ing him. He also played Marc Antony with
| great success. The world knows the name
| that he has carved out for himself since he
left the club. and his wonderful performance
in ''Trilby" is still echoed from coast to
| coast.
| Mr.. james Mahoney. possessed Of 4 grand.
| deep voice. appeared as Caesar In most dig
| mined manner and was later with Lolita. and
hs. nlayed leading ,hesyies with some OF the
! best companies on the road.
| Mr. Tim Murphy, who Is <sll known for
his representations of prominent actors and
i Steer got his first training in the club. H.
| was always a welcome visitor. as the boy.
| loved TO hear him relate funny story as
| only Tim could.
| Throughout this history Of the
! Barretts are familiar names. 1t is
, written that ''Mr. E. B. Hay was 9
most valuable member Of the club and
had he followed the stage. Mr.. Lackaye
said. Mr. Hay would have ranked at the
! played in operas. comedies. lectured
| recited and sung for hundreds OF
! charitable entertainments, and his
| services have always been gratis. Mr.
Hay still delights in doing good for
| his fellow men,"
TT Is written that mfr. David c.
Bangs. who played shylock and
other strong parts. was always in de-
mand and was kept very busy acting
| fessional stage, playing important
narts with Robert Downing and other
leading stars OF Tim Frawley 1t is
written: HE has made fame and for
time for himself with his refined stock
J company on the Pacific coast" and He
! also took an active interest in the
club" This was written of William
r. Murdoch: "Efis delicate, polish ed
acting made friends for him whenever
he appeared. and he was of great help
| to the club and the newspapers always
spoke in the highest terms of hie
| ability. He became a very successful
patent attorney. but lately death hat
claimed him." Praise is also handed
out to George Erdman. who was "a
gentleman Of rare literary abilities
and q member Of the Shakespeare
| Club and was an active worker in the
Barrett Club. His performance of Ro.
given at Albaugh's in March, 1Ss. was
an artistic and finished piece Of act
ing"
It IL said Of Julia Wheeler that "she
was a very handsome girl who looked
a great deal like Mary Anderson
She Joined the company of Rhea. mar
ried and retired from the stage. Anita
Hendrie became a professional actress
! And there was Annie Ia. .Gz Little
None could sing the song: MY Sweet
heart Is the Man in the Moon" bet
| ter than Annie, and her dancing wal
| enhancing. On June 18. 1894. the Ma.
tional Fencibles had a benefit at the
Academy Of Music and the play was
a comedietta by willard Holcomb
called Browns Baby" Annie Lewis
played the leading role. A great many
people In Washington had feeling
young. A great many readers OF these
lines are saying: Eyes, yes, how well
remember little Annie Lewis!"