Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 128, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1909 — Amateur Actor Decides That He Wants No Footlight Plaudits. [ARTICLE]

Amateur Actor Decides That He Wants No Footlight Plaudits.

Back to Niles, Mich., for Attorney Arthur J. Hillman. He came here Tuesday with the Wintergreen Farm company to play the part of an old man, having learned the part when the play was produced at his home town by amateurs a few weeks ago. The Tuesday night performance was anything but a success, and Mr. Hillman was one of the first to recognize its shortcomings. Bruce Chesterman, the playwright, is also the manager of the show and he asked Hillman to start out with the company and see how he liked it. One night was enough to convfhce the young attorney that he wants nothing to do with a traveling show troupe When he saw half of the small audience leave at the end of the second act his histrionic ambitions took flight and he thought of the pleasures of a Niles fireside and decided to return there without delay. Accordingly when the balance of the show troupe started for Fowler, where they are to show this Wednesday night, he went north to resume his legal practice. Mr. Hillman is apparently a fine young man and spoke freely of his theatrical effort. .‘‘lt’s back to Niles and Blackstone for me,” he said as he climbed aboard the train. There was something, yes many somethings, the matter with “Wintergreen Farm.” The ambitious manager and playwright was very anxious to learn what the shortcomings were but no one could tell him except that the whole thing needed to be rewritten and a better lot of actors chosen throughout. The deluded Thespians are up against a bad proposition, we fear, and Mr. Hillman is lucky to have been discerning enough to have learned this at the very outset. See the line of bargain shoes, boots, rubbers and overshoes at the Home Grocery. Ask your neighbor about that good coal he got of Maines & Hamilton.