PLAYING TO AN AUDIENCE OF ONE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2625, 7 June 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. They arrived at Bucyrus, Ohio, a small city on the Sandusky Kiver, where bills 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 for tho evening's performance in his hand. " Are you manager of the theatre ?" asked the stranger. " I am, Sir," replied Foster. "You are to play 'Eiohard lII.' tonight?" '• Yes, sir." "lam and always have been extremely fond of theatricals, but never had an opportunity of seeing ' Kichard lII.' " " Very well sir, come to-night." " Unfortunaiely I leave town this evening by the 6.45 train. Now-, how much money would induce your company to play " Itichard III," for me this afternoon ? " Foster, thinking the stranger was joking, replied that he would do it for twenty-five dollars. The stranger looked at the bill again and inquired what would be the extra charge for the "Bough Diamond." To carry out the joke, Foster replied ten dollaca. To his utter surprise, the stranger "pulled his weasel," counted out thirtyfive dollars, and handing them to him, remarked that he would like to have the I play begin no later than two o'clock. Foster got the company together and related the circumstance. The idea of playing " Bichard " 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 eligible 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 certain, and the play began. Never did actors do better. They all exerted themselves to give their patron entertainment fully worth the price paid for it, and they succeeded. The stranger applauded vigorously at different poiuts, and at the close of the play called the Bichard, 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 "Bough Diamond" was played. The audience laughed, roared and applauded, and left in time to catch the train.^—"Era Almanac."