PLAYING TO AN AUDIENCE OF ONE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 788, 25 May 1877, Page 3

PLAYING TO AN AUDIENCE OF ONE.

Governor Joseph C. Foster, the veteran American manager, actor and another, some years ago organised a theatrical company to play short engagements in various cities and towns of the West. Th< y arrived at Bucyrus, Ohio, a small city on the Sanduskv River, where hills were issued, a hall rented, and properties engaged. During their stay a novel incident occurred. Mr Foster was sitting in the hotel (the Sim’s House), ruminating in all probability upon the full house he was to have, when a stranger entered the room with a bill tor the evening’s performance in his hand. “ Are you manager of the theatre ?” ashed the stranger. “ I am, Sir,” replied Foster. You are to play ‘Richard lII.’ tonight 1” “Yes, Sir.” “I am and always have been extremely fond of theatricals, but never had an opportunity of seeing ‘ Richard HI ’ ” “ Very well, sir, come to night.” “ ITnfortunately I leave town this evening bv the G. 45 train. Now, how much money would induce vonr company to play ‘ Richard ill.’ for me this afternoon 1” Foster, thinking the stranger was joking, replied that he would do it for twenty-fi vc dollars. The stranger looked at the bill again and on quired what would be the extra charge for the ‘Rough Diamond.’ To carry out the joke, Foster replied ten dollars. To his utter surprise, the stranger “ pulled his weasel,” counted out thirty-five dollars, and handing them to him, remarked that he would like to have the play begin no later than 2 o’clock. Foster got the company together and related the circumstance. The idea of Maying ‘ Richard ’ to an audience of one was so excessively ridiculous, and so new in their experience that they one and all consented. Two o’clock came, and the solitary audience assembled. Choosing an eligiblo position, and cocking his feet upon the back of the seat in front of him he waited for the performance to begin. The bell rang, up went the curtain, and the, plav began. Never did actors do better. They all exerted themselves to give their patron entertainment fully worth the price paid for it, and thev succeeded. The stranger applauded vigorously at different points, and at the close of the plav called the Richard, Mr Joseph T. Fannin, before the curtain, who responded in a neat little speech. A dance and a song followed, after which the farce of the ‘ Rough Diamond’ was played. The audience laughed, roared and applauded, and left in time to catch the train.—Era Almanac.