PLAYING TO AN AUDIENCE OF ONE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 344, 31 May 1877, Page 4

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 River, 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 lie was to have, when a stranger entered the room ■with a bill for the evening's performance in his hand. "Are you the manager of the theatre?" asked the stranger. "I am, sir," replied Foster. " You are to play 'Richard lII.' to-night?" "Yes, sir." " I am and always have been extremely fond of theatricals, but never had an opportunity of seeing ' Richard 111.'" "Very well, sir; come to-night." "Unfortunately, I leave town this evening by the 6.45 train. Now, how much money would induce your company to play 'Richard 1.'1.' for me this afternoon?'' Foster, thinking the stranger was joking, replied that he would do it for 25 dollars. The stranger looked at the bill again, and encpiired what wouhi be the extra charge for the ' Rough Diamond.' To carry out the joke, Foster replied ien dollars. To his utter surprise, tbe stranger " pulled his weasel," counted out 35 dollars, and, handing them to him, remarked that he would like to have the play begin no later than two o'clock. Foster got the company together and related tbe circumstance. The idea of playing ' 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 t!>e solitary audience assembled. Choosing an eligible position, and cocking his feet rnon toe tack of the seat in front of him, lie waited for the performance to begin. The bell rang, up went the curtain, and the play began. Never did actors do better. They a'l exerted themselves to give ilieir patron entertainment fully worth the price paid for it, and they succeeded. The stranger

applauded vigorously at different point?, and at the close of the play called the Richard, Mr. Joseph T. jFannin, 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.