Evening star., 1922-02-12

HOW small and humble were the be-
ginnings Of the famous Irish
Players and the Abbey Theater, Dub
lin. whence they come, are thus set
forth by Arthur Sinclair. leading
comedian and dean of the company.
which will be presented by Charles
Dillingham; at the National In Len
nox Robinson's widely discussed
comedy, '-rhe White Headed Boy:
1T was way back in April Of 1902
that a small group of amateurs, head
ed by w. G. Fay and his brother
Frank. appeared at st. Theresa's Hall.
Clarendon street, Dublin, in the ini-
tial performance Of William Butler
Yeats first play. Kathleen nj Houli-
ham and George Russelrs Deirdre.'
1t was a very little hall. but the au-
as the acting was either good enough
not to be bad or bad enough to be
good. the regulations OF the budding
young drAmatists were not particu-
larly harmed by our interpretations
Of their characters.
1T was the initial gathering Of the
amateurs and there was no great en-
couragement to permanently engage
In the business of acting, but we were
a very enthusiastic and determined
little group. most Of US no more than
boys and girls. and 80 from this nrst
appearance in public grew the pur-
pose which ultimately chrystallized
in the Abbey Theater.
"Our next public appearance was in
Lady Gregory's Twenty -five. which
we performed in Mo1esworth Hall.
Dublin. After that we performed IN
some play or other Of Irish author
ship at sporadic intervals. until we
found ourselves in London and at the
Royalty Theater. Soho. where the
celebrated Miss A. E. Horniman saw
US, became particularly interested IN
the work of the Brothers Fay, OF
whom Yeats has said all credit is due
for the ultimate rise Of the irish
Gregory and Yeats Miss Horniman
bought for US an old playhouse in
Dublin known as the Mechanics
Theater.
"This playhouse at the time Of its
change Of ownership was In great dic-
capitals riffraff I remember distinctly
how the orchestra we'll was inciosed oy
sharp spikes to guard the musicaans-
or generally the musician, AZ . lone
plano player occupied the we'll a. . RUE
from assault by the audience IN their
moments Of displeasure at the selections
rendered. It was courting death ana
destruction to blow . horn or scTape 2
0ddIe in the Mechanics Theater. Why,
more times than one l have known the
manager to step out upon me sta3e
while a performance was going on. al
vance to the foot1ights with murder IN
his eye, but courtesy in :lis speech ana
say: .o +hr.w that
hot+,e he 80 kind as to leave the theater
to avoid funeral expenses?
"At times when there really was
somethine like an orchestra In the olo
Mechanics the conductor was the nus-
hand Of the stock companys ieAonS
Iady.' Their domestic infelicitiee Were
often freely aired In the theater oualns nm
nerforrnancss. Occasionally the con-
duotor would stop the music in order to
hsnd his wife something snappy IN ne
Way Of revilement he had just tnougns
,,n and she, never q whit behind, WouIo
ston the play in order to hand mm
something just as good II not oeteer.
The repartee ended, the music was
sumed and the play went on 10 'ts 'o"-
clusiona -, +,.+
"But Miss Horniman changed an tnat.
Among her improvements she TOOK IN
an old rnorRue, in MARLBOROUGH sHtees'
and made q grand entrance OF ft; ana. ie
to be sure, it was grand, what WIN its -
great fiutter and array OF cosSahes .H. y.
Kings and clowns hung upon the ~is
with its name changed to the
Abbey Theater. the renovated psas-
house was opened on the OF Deeem.
her a., 1904. Our group Of amateurs
were now recognized professionals;
and our frs. bin az such s,s snsssaso :Kats1
duction tHsa On Of = farce BY Lady Gregory.
entitled Spreading the News. va "a,
but q lad Of nineteen, but TO me hs,. ~.
the part Of q drunken old kinS In
the first named play.
"'Have you ever seen q drunken
king, Arthur? Yeats demanded st
one Of our rehearsals; and truth
fully. though perhaps with regret,
answered In the negative.
Then you had better so look Ior
one,' he retorted as one rebuktne
another for failure to make the most
of his opportunities; for in this bust
! ness Of acting 1t 10 Essential to ce
exact and alive to atmosphere Look