Gleanings from on and Off the Stage (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1892. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER m. AT THE STRAND THEATRE. My acceptance of Miss Swanborough's offer was an important step in my early London career, as from its commencement until I became a manager I was chiefly associated with the Strand Theatre, and, for a long time, with a line of characters--" burlesque boys "--which, in the words of the immortal Mr. Eccles, "was none o' my choosing." My circumstances, however, would not permit me to pick and choose, and I was thankful for occupation which gave me the means towards supporting our home. Miss Swanborough, who had held a leading comedy position at the H aymarket, was a charming woman, and never failed in her endeavours to make the members of her company happy: to her reign of management I always look back with bright recollections. When I received the part of Pippo in the Maid and the Magpie, I was disappointed at its being another boy, and wrote to ask if any change could be made in the cast. Miss Swanborough kindly arranged for me to meet her as well as Mr. Byron, whose acquaintance I thus made for the first time. He said he had written the part of Pippo expressly for me, and that he was distressed I did not like it. I explained that I did not wish to play burlesque boys, and that I objected to the part on that account. Mr. Byron remarked that he was a young author, and my not acting Pippo would mean a serious loss to him, that there was no one else in the theatre to whom he could entrust it, and that he could "see me in every line of it." He added, "I am only a beginner, you know, and this burlesque may make or mar me." This appeal decided me; I could hold out no longer, so promised to play Pippo. The original cast of this burlesque included Miss Maria Ternan (a very refined actress, who, a few years later, married and left...