THE STAGE-STRUCK GIRL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 279, 18 August 1908, Page 3

THE STAGE-STRUCK GIRL.

Many of the girls who' are so anxious to go upon the stage dp not realise, what lies before them—the hard work, disappointments, and trials that havo to bo faced before success can be attained. Out of so many who go in for the life, few riso to eminence: Miss Margaret Anglin has been one of thoso who ■ have succeeded, and had an almost meteoric rise in her profession, and her views on the subject of the stagestruck girl wore recently published- in a Sydney paper. . "Some of those who look tho , least promising," said Miss Anglin, "aro tho ones who develop magnificently, acquiring' strong per-' sonality, great talents, aiicl wonderful powers of magnetism and compelling forces; At any ratoy'it isn't for any one of lis to subject the girl' to ridicule. ' If sho chances to' He mistaken in her estimato of her talents, that is but human frailty" and error ■of •judgment that are far from' criminal, and certainly not-a' fit subject for mirth. Mon' make mistakes every day in believing-them-selves capablo of great business achievements. Tho little girl's failure is no worsti than theirs. ' Of courso, there aro a lot of frivolous, empty-headed girls who think that they , will be great actresses. It would be a calamity to them and to the public if they wero to appear on tho stage. But their own lack of talent -would soon open their eyes, and show them their unfitness for a lifo that is really filled with earnest work.

; "It is, my belief that no sinborc-minded girl need be ashamed of being stage-struck —a word that is so often used in a contemptuous and pitying tone. - Any strong enthusiasm in any endeavour usually predicts success in, that particular lino. It is the. girl who has the very worst case of stage mania'' who wins-the highest thespian laurels and honours. ■ ,■> • ~ •'

"The girl who would become a credit to tho stage, must beware'of personal vanity," she continued. "Sho must not go into tho work with a hazy desiro to enjoy a life that on tho outside appears to be all glamour and' roses. If she has an abnormal craving for public admiration and adulation it will destroy the genuine delight in tho work itself and smother a real .interest in a career that tends towards high, ideals. Tho stage does not want the silly, empty-headed young woman who fancies that she can float about like a bird of paradise in a glittering Bohemia. "The stage does want the ambitious, energetic, high-minded woman, who, is willing and happy to' devote days of hard study ana tojl, and who will Bear months and years of disappointment, if necessary. Sho is worthy of being encouraged in her aspiration. I do not say that 'it is tho most ennobling work for a woman. There are self-sacrificing acts in life higher even than the following of an art, but 1 do believe that the right girl will find the stage as clean and compensating a' field for a life career as • any other that can be opened to her. " The stago itself is the best teacher of dramatic art. There is always tho dramatic school, but most men and women of the stage have taken small roles in stock companies in tho smaller cities. It is my opinion, that just as a university education and much reading will often spoil a writer's style and originality, so will too much training in a school Tuin the style of an actress.. The stage itself is tho real school for the player. "No girl who wishes to adopt the stage as a life career should fail to prepare herself as fully as possible. For one detail, she should talco splondid caro of her health. There is a cortain oxcitement about the life that draws on one's vitality. A good deal of reading i 3 of great help. She should read all the plays of Ibsen, Pin'ero, and 'Shakespeare. Many of the modern plays should bo studied carefully. During her roading hours she should endeavour to understand characters and all that sort of thing. She must make tho most of her good looks, for her appcarance will havo much to do with her success. It is a good idea for her to tako up physical culture, which will teach her how to walk, how to sit, and how to stand. Sho should know a littlo about dancing, too, and if sho has a good voice and can learn to sing, that will also bo of benefit.

"You will see by this that a rather varied education is nccessary. If possible tho girl should preparo herself for tho highest ideals of intelligence, grace, and charm beforo attempting tho practical difficulties and hardships of the stage. In Paris the work of tho conservatoire has been incalculable for good in its development of tho actresses of tho French stage. Tho fiery, panthor-like graco and natural genius of; Rachel was not hurt by its academic teaching. Tho individuality of Sarah Bernhardt was strengthened by it." ■ •