Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 170, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 July 1914 — AT THE BOOKING1 OFFICE OFF-STAGE COMEDIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AT THE BOOKING 1 OFFICE OFF-STAGE COMEDIES

THEY DECIDE TO TRY IT AGAIN Freddie didders (a sketch writer)-*-' Listen! This is a great ideaTHjkV punch. Works right up to ja novelty finish and—Bang! H this act don’t get six curtains, I’ll — \%I. XL J_L_ Marion Meade (heavy woman)—No use talkin’, Freddie, l ainlt on the market for no more acts after that last one. Freddie Bidders—lt wasn’t my act, was it? Didn’t y’ have no friends t’ put you wise that Vance Vkh Bardon’s act Is over people’s heads? Who wants society staff! Edna Flanigan (ingenue)—Vance Van Bardon’s material wasn’t handled right; I seen that myself. I was te the act. Marlon was cast for a society queen—lmagine! I wai supposed to be her daughter Just home from boardin’ school an’'loaded down with table manners and that kind of stuff. That was all right I can play debutantes to_a finish. I had some home trainin’ myself an’ my langwldge Is right there, believe me. It was Marion’s or Algy’s flivver, I think. Algy (late es the ’Alls)—W’at? I queered the act 7* B’y ? I made thb mistake of me young life goin’ out with y\ I’ll tell y who it was—little Percy Davis, sittin’ right 'ere. Dad Wadell (who knew Booth—by sight)—When I saw the act it made me weep—for Art f * Percy 1 Davis (Juvenile)—{You awful London supernumerary, to insinuate that I ruined Marion’s act Have a care, sir! Remember; I played on Broadway. I may have been a ohorus man, bat I outUved it Freddie Sidders-rOld Dad has your number, crowd, when he says it was all to the ash can. I heard it myself. Dad Wadell—She was leaning on a broken reed. , Marion Meade—Tryin’ to say I can’t play society ladies, huh? I was out there holdin’ the crowd by my personality. It’s a wonder; the rest of you lasted a minute without me. Percy Davis —I can’t explain the

downfall of our act. Mr. Van Bardon is such a high-minded gentleman. His writings in the Literary Indigestible are dreams of thought The idea we had was so uplifting. When you think of the psychological message we had to deliver. Edna Flanigan Oh, ; chocolate eclairs! Listen to that man talkin’ slckanlogical stuff. That’s what was the matter with It Percy Davis—M’ dear, don’t you think the object of the theater'is to deliver a message? Algy—No, that’s for the A. D. T. Listen to the spoof when my ’eart is breakin’. Dad Wadell—When you tried to d<* liver your message that night there was nobody home. Edna Flanigan—When Algy threw me his line—what was it? Algy—l said: “You must give me your promise tonight, Agnes. Prince Boris is not the man to wed you, the prond and only daughter of Count Lionel De Jesseps. Your manner* your breeding, you* culture, must revolt at the thought of a nobleman who has naught to offer but ’is disputed title.” Clevah, I s’y. Edni Flanigan—Can’t you fancy me playin’ opposite (that) Dad Wadell—l saw you and I cried in anguish. Percy Davis—lt was just after that Van Bardon don’t have hi* people to mind when he writes the material. Marion Meade—Don’t yod think I can play a lady? Edna y* think I can do a swell doll?' Percy Devt*i —Deah me, sir, don’t yon think I «*an take the part of a perfect gentleman? Algy—l suppose y* think I can’t play a Jolly chap, w’at? Freddie Stoder#—T got ate wrong. * meant that Van Bardon bad a nifty outfit working in his set hot his act wasn’t there Certainly Marion can play a lady. Dad Wadell—l remember In my day a lady waa always a lady. They— Marion Meade —I'll never try it ■gain. After thia it’* me for Dutch or Irish . ', ii*. i.

by Will Brad shaw

f Percy Davis—Why didn't you deride that long ago, my dear? I lost a good position in a show on account of your act Alll bad to do was wave a pennant and say “Rah, rah, rah, fbr Vafr sar.” What fools we mortals to No more and never again? Algy—We decided that for you long ago. No more and never again with us. I'll always think to me dybt’ d’y the eggs that It me was meant tor you. Dad Wadell—l believe so. You wore standing on the spot be Just stepped - from. Freddie Bidders—So they thru y eggs s ehV I thought they only howled and tried to climb over the "foots" to mob you. Edna Flanigan—l wish you was there that night, Freddie. Me tryin’ to look like a young bud an’ throwia’ my lines like a leadin' lady with no support except Algy, Algy—There's a girt known the truth. 'Ear what she said about no support but Algy? Freddie Bidders —No wonder! The actin’ was all right; they was no idea to the act. No finish. Listen to this sketch of mine for five people. New Idea, never been worked. Marion Meade —Please don’t, Freddie. gkjS Freddie Bidders—Act opens full stage; fancy door center; fireplace at right; moon streamin’ in window with balcony backing. _ Old guy—for you. Dad—dozin’ at fireplace. Burgular opens window ijrith a Jimmy; comes in. Is loading silver into bag when butler—Percy's part—comes in to tell the old man his daughter eloped with the strange young man across the street Burgular sees butler and sneaks into closet pulls door shut and locks himself in. A woman in black comes to see the old man—Marion’s part; old man recognizes her as childhood sweetheart; proposes. The daughter and the strange young,man —Edna and Algy—return to ask the old man’s forgiveness and enough to start housekeepin’. Burgular in closet

io suffocatin’ and begs to get out. Algy opens door. Old man recognizes burgular as his long-lost son. Woman refuses to marry burgular'* father. Young" man, who is a newspaper reporter, la going to give the story to Ms paper. Old man gives everybody a million to keep it quiet The burgular reforms. Curtain. Algy—Great! Freddy Bidders—listen! 1 have a man who wUI buy this act and back it if I get tHe right people.' Win you stick? Pay from the start Chorus—We wHI? \ Algy—Who’ll play the burgular, my dear fellow? . ‘1 Freddie Bidders—l'm goto* to get a real burgular—friend of mine. Booking Agent (entering)—Out! It'S closin’ time. (Copyright HU, by W. G. Chapman.)

“You Awful Leaden Supernumerary, to Insinuate That I Ruined Marion's Act. Have a Care, Sir! Remember, I Played on Broadway."