MR. BARRIE’S DOUBLE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2094, 31 May 1907, Page 1

MR. BARRIE’S DOUBLE

Mr. J. Broadstairs writes to an English paper on the subject of doubles: —“May the double of Mr. J. M. Barrie say a few words? The distinction I enjoy lias already caused me so much inconvenience that l have been driven to the disguise of a beard. It was my duty for years to attend “first nights” at the theatres, and often in tho lobbies it was my lot to have to disclaim responsibility for successful plays I had not written. Imagine tho slump in reputation on a Barrie production when people ; slapped me on the back and offered congratulations 1 Many times have 1 sat in the stalls conscious of people pointing to mo as Mr. Barrie, and once —oh, dreadful, , never-to-be-for-gotten night!—some enthusiastic pitites actually cheered me as I passed to my seat. I could not publicly explain their mistake to them, and sq had to pass tfie evening with the guilty knowledge that-1 had appropriated glory that belonged to another. On one occasion a public disclaimer was forced from me. It was at a debating club. The chairman, in the course of a discussion upon some literary subject, looked pointedly at me and said, “I see Mr. J. M. Barrie is present; perhaps he will kindly give us his views.” Every ©ye in the room was turned upon me, and never shall I forget my feelings as I humbly stated that the hqnqr qf being the author of ‘The Little Minister’ was not mine, I have left scene of these trials now, illness having terminated my active journalis- . tic career in London, but even in my present country retreat —and deBpite the heard—l occasionally ex- , perience the inconvenience of being : a double, Should my existence ever • come to the knoVledge of Mr. Barrie ! himself, I feel suro that I shall have his sympathy.”