A THEATRICAL ROW BEHIND , THE SCENES.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2505, 16 January 1877, Page 2

A THEATRICAL ROW BEHIND THE SCENES.

The San Francisco correspondent of a New York paper gives the following account of an assault committed upon Miss Eleanor Carey, the favorite Australian actress, by a stage manger:—" Although quiet reigned in the lobbies, the week has not been without its theatrical sensation. Excitement prevailed in the greenrooms and indignation filled the public heart at the unmanly attack of James A. Herne, who happens to be clothed in the authority of stage manager at Baldwin's Academy of Music, upon the interesting young actress Miss Eleanor Carey. It took place last Sunday night behind the scenes, while the performance was going on for Maguire's benefit. The disasters of the season, it appears, had prevented the regular payment of salaries, and Miss Carey herself had claims upon the treasury to the amount of 9400. She was promised a settlement if she would volunteer for the night, but, fearing the 'promise would not be kept, she struck i just before the performances began. The act may be called unprofessional. After parleying, $100 was given to her and she then agreed to go on the stage. When Bishop, the comedian of the California', Theatre appeared, he received 4 warmer reception from the audience than Miss Carey; whereupon Herne, it is stated, turned to the mother of the. young actress, and with a sneer, said she was a nice person to strike for salary—she was popular —she was a pretty one to come from Australia to lead the business—at the same time uttering oaths and obscene expressions, vilhfying both mother and daughter. Miss Carey -coming off the stage, lie reBewed his taunts, until, maddened by the abuse levelled at her. mother, she seized him. by the throat, and, had strength permitted, would have inflicted personal chastisement on him. To disengage himself from the iudignant woman, ho clenched his fist' and struck her, the blow, fortunately, being a glancing one,, inflicted little injury. The papers have crucified Herne, and in their merciless punishment of him have exaggerated particulars by stating that Miss Carey's face was cut and disfigured. He was under the influence of liquor at the time. Smarting under the attacks of the press,* he had a lame apology published, in which he expressed regret that the matter had reached the public, and hoped it would be dropped from notice. But Herne was then announced to take a benefit, which comes oft' to-night, and the papers would not be silent, and called upon the actors not to play for him, and the public not to assist him by their presence. C. B. Bishop, A. I). Billings, M. A. Kennedy, T. W.

Keene, Eleanor Carey,.and'Helen Marble, who had volunteered to appear, notified Mr Herne that their services were withdrawn. It is iot necessary to make comments upon this affair, for Herne is already down and without excuse for his unmanliness. He will endeavour to give a performance to-night, however, and has announced himself to play Kip Van Winkle. A demonstration is feared."