Show l IRVING mV AND BOOTH Great Actors J Who Sought Soucht to Elevate the Drama England's f tribute to Henry Irving was worthy of his great powers ant and andus Jis us great performances it was recalled recalled recalled re re- re- re called too with appropriate feelings that he had made great sacrifices for his high Ideals He lie spent large sums n an effort to keep his London theater thea thea- ter teJ up to a lofty standard but the times times' would not sustain him and In his old age he e was forced to take to c ds e a t. t a I SIR HE HENRY TRY IRVING the he road again and even een to present plays lays of only medium merit unworthy unworthy thy thy- of his gifts to keep his head above water M Music hall ball jingle and horse play cheap but stirring stirring stirring-meio- melo melodrama melodrama drama and problem plays foul with smut had overthrown In his own capital cap cap- Ital tal the first actor of his day Our own Edwin Yin Booth we should all remember trod this same hard road After he had reached the top with us and was rich he established and s sought to maintain a temple where the drama in its best estate could be enjoyed by all who held the playhouse In veneration and affection The structure was the finest of Its kind in New York Y-prk and beautifully furnished He lie opened it himself with witha a supporting company of unusual ex ex- I For Tor or a a. time time time-a a time all too he brief rief he prospered His till tm was filled c every cry night and praise praise- of his enter enter- enterprise prise pIse and ands devotion to art was general and generous Buthe But Dut he could not hoT hold the public to toils his ils hiss splendid endeavor Taste underwent underwent underwent under under- went a change What has since come cometo cometo to o be known as the commercialization of the theatre set in and In time Booths Booth's venture ventures failed The shows triumphed and the temple devoted to toi i rea real dramatic art was razed to make room for a business block Stripped of his fortune Booth as more recent- recent lie Ue prospered of course course but but never n's ns as l i his ais S belIeved recovered reco-ered from this hIo P to his professional hopes bopes The su Is much discussed and some ar are sai said on either sile But however the public may feel tee it is to the glory of these two great grent actors that they resisted with all their means and Influence what they conceived to be the decay r f r yF 2 r y l t r Ii i iw w a 3 IRVING'S IRVINGS LAST RESTING PLA PLACE E IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY The remains of the great actor rest fEst beside the grave of Garrick and close to that of Charles Dickens of taste in the line of their endeavor and stood up to the end for the best and presented it with undiscouraged zeal and strength |