Julia's Reviews

Photo courtesy of Dionysus Theatre Complex, New York, New York
http://www.dionysustheatrecomplex.com/marlowe.html

January 6, 1889 - The Atlanta Constitution - Max Welton

Miss Julia Marlowe is undoubtedly the sensation of the year.  She has that touch of genius, or nature, or a talent, or whatever else it may be, which is just as rare in actors as genius is among musicians, or people in any other walk of life.

She won't be interviewed.  Whether this is due to her own good sense or to the judgment of her manager, Ariel Barney, I do not pretend to say; but she has sense enough to keep her mouth shut--to use a very expressive but not very elegant phrase--and that alone is sufficient to win her recognition in these days, when every chorus girl and every ballet woman rushed headlong into print.

The Iowa Recorder, March 20, 1907:

If Julia Marlowe ever gets next to the dramatic critic who says she "looks like a can of potted ham" when she dons the Joan of Arc armor, there will surely be something doing in the pickled tongue business.

The Washington Post, Tuesday, May 14, 1907:

London, May 13: 

Julia Marlowe and E. H. Sothern had their baptism of fire tonight when they were called before the curtain of the theater, where they are playing, and were hooted and "booed."

London audiences frequently treat their greatest favorites in this manner when they are displeased with the play or the players, but usually they are more considerate toward visitors.

The Washington Post, Tuesday, May 21, 1907:

London, May 20 -

Edward H. Sothern and Julia Marlowe will close their London season May 31, a night earlier then they intended, to permit the majority of the company to sail for New York on the Minnehaha June 1.  The purpose to take the cast to Elsinore was abandoned, but the stars will give readings at that place subsequently going to Italy and the Holy Land before returning to America in August.

That the venture was a losing one financially is admitted.  "Some estimated place the loss as high as $30,000.  Press Agent Worm said today:  "If we had played to packed houses ever since we came to London, the venture would have been a financial failure."

"Mr. Sothern and Miss Marlowe never expected to make money on this trip.  They desired solely to establish themselves in London as the leading player of America.  This they have triumphantly done."

From a prominent member of the company, it is learned that affairs have gone unhappily during the engagement.  "In fact," said this player, "we have had a dickens of a time.  The press agent was tactless and queered us with the newspapers.  Then we changed the bill nearly every night, whereas London cannot wake up to any show until it has been running about a week.  Some of the critics handed the stars a few homely truths, to which they were not used, and the result was that they rehearsed us almost to death.  Business was bad, and everybody, espeically Miss Marlowe, got fearfully tired and nervous.

Finally, Sunday night about 8 o'clock the orchestra sudeently bucked and wanted to go home and get some food. Mr. Sothern vainly begged the men to stay.  Then Miss Marlowe, naturally fatiged and ill composed, advanced to the footlights and protested, a bit tragically, against the purposed walkout.  Some of the musicionas smiled, and one giggled aloud.  Mr. Worm, who was sitting by the orchestra rail, struck at the offender, but the blow missed and landed on the bass fiddler, who is about seven feet high.  This giant jmped over the rail and closed with Mr. Worm.  Mr. Sothern hurried down in costume and tried to separate the combatants.

"Actors stage hand, electricians and musicians engaged in a mixup among the staff and along the aisles.  Fianlly Mr. Worm and the bass fiddler were parted and peace was restored."

"Yes I believe the best critics label our stars and us a workmanlike outfit, but we have lost a lot of money and have had our troubles."