London at the End of the Century:A Book of Gossip
a Beckett, Arthur William
1900
THE PROFESSION AT THE CLOSE OF THE CENTURY.
In conclusion, the earnings have improved all round. The author gets heavier fees, and the proprietor finds no difficulty in working at a profit. Less than fifty years ago theatrical property spelt want if not bankruptcy. Webster, Buckstone and Vining died in poor circumstances. Then Sir Squire Bancroft and his clever wife, who will always be remembered by old play-goers as Marie Wilton, seemed to break the spell. The Bancrofts were succeeded by the Kendals and John Hare. Then Sir Augustus Harris did very well. Of late years nearly all theatres have been open and thriving. Whether the actor's calling is always to be desired is subject to debate. Not long ago I met an old friend who | |
37 | before adopting the stage as a profession had served in the army. He had been a good-looking fellow with the manners of a gentleman. With these recommendations to back him he had been engaged over and over again for |
I asked. | |
And the speaker was a man who held a foremost place in the ranks of the profession. | |
