New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-31
BY Harriett.s Underhill


Nothing more beautiful has been
seen on the stage nor heard. either,
for that matter, than Marguerite Sylvia
in "The Skylark." Whether you care
for the play or not you are certainly
going to get some "eye pleasure" ms
Winnie, our favorite maid, used to say,
when Marguerite walks ON in her
widows weeds in the first act. "BIack
is so becoming, don't you Think" she
says sadly to Charlotte Walker, and
three men sitting in adjacent seats
exclaimed, "I'll say it isl"
We could hardly wait for the cur
tain to go down on the last act be-
fore we rushed UP to Nine. Sylva's
dressing room with the intention of
trying on that black hat. During the
course of the play Nine. Sylvia goes
out of mourning and she wears some
gorgeous, gowns. but none of them are
as. startling as. that first act costume.
1t makes one realize that every cloud
has silver lining.
We have known Nine. Sylvia since
the days when she did not speak such
perfect English as she does now Aunt
Elizabeth, went with US to the opening
Il Ill l. l.. all
with us because she always wanted to
meet Nine. Sylvia. Once upon a
time, before the family approved of
actresses, Aunt Elizabeth's brother,
are niece only by adoption, fell mad
ly in love with Marguerite Sylvia. The
family now approves of actresses,
especially Aunt Elizabeth. con, if he
could only have married her" she said,
as we left the dressing room. isn't
she the most beautiful thing!"
Brussels, Where the
Lace Comes From
Marguerite Sylvia was born in Brus-
sells. We shall not tell you the year,
but she will do it if she meets you.
She is the frankest and most charming
person we ever met. "My first dramatic
Eart!" she exclaimed, Selling us and
kissing Us on either check; land I'm
a success. The critics liked me. Or,
I am so happy! You know all the
years | was in opera L always wanted
TO be dramatic actress, and just once,
previous to this, + had q chance. Il
sang Carmen when L was fourteen. L
used to run away from my lessons
every day to 60 to- the theater, but my
people would not hear Of my being an
actress. However, if l would do opera,
we'll, that was different. SO 7 got a.
chance to sing Carmen and I sang it
in teeny, frightened voice that you
hardly could hear across the footlights
1t just happened that Beerboh~ ree
heard me do that one day and 5tt
unnaturally, thought that out
of my depth in grand opera. 'Ll5 YOU
can act, my child he said, and if you
will learn English you may come to
America with me next season. Now,
Twas all for going to America, but my
father would not hear of it for long
TING. Finally he relented, my contract
was signed and set to learning Eng
hsh.
Marguerite Gees
To Her First Party
81 came to America and Mr. Tree and
were invited to party at the White
House. Mrs. Cleveland made so much
of me and she had me sitting next to
her at dinner, so I decided to show off
my English. had good chance as
the Presidents wife wanted to know
all about how I happened to be an
actress. WE'LL said, 'seeng ard
seeing end Monsieur Tree he leesten
and zen he csy In my companie you
shall act And say Nom and he say
'oap and again say nom and again
he say 'oui' and finally ne seduce me
to sign wiz him contract
"Mr. Tree rose to his feet. Make
that child stop talking he roared, and
Mr.. Cleveland thought it was the fun
ninst thing he ever heard. I didn't
know what they were laughing at, but
! was much fattered, and jabbered
away half in French and half in Eng
fish when the dear President asked me
to sit beside him. When we opened in
Hamlet in Washington Mr.. and Mrs.
Cleveland said they were coming to see
me. Twas cast for the player Queen,
and when heard my cue I was so
frightened that I rushed out on the
stage and delivered my lines in French.
And after all my practice! Occasion
ally I'd slip in sentence in English. I
played it tragically, and the audience
thought it was the best joke of the
season. Mr.. Tree did not agree with
" them. This is the end he said, 'un-
less you learn English 50 / learned
English"
True American
Is Marguerite
And now Nine. Sylvia speaks without
trace Of any accent. She even has an
absolutely, all American sense of
humor. She is American, if you except
her great black eyes, her cream and
peach complexion and her dark hair
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