William Gillette's Farewell
William Gillette's Farewell is an article published in The Boston Globe on 24 march 1901.
About the play Sherlock Holmes at the Hollis Street Theatre, Boston, MA, USA.
William Gillette's Farewell
Will Never Appear Before a Theatre Curtain Again in This Country.
William Gillette closed a five weeks' season in "Sherlock Holmes" last night at the Hollis, which has been the largest season in point of receipts for that period at the prices charged in the history of the house.
Except for next week at Providence, this will be Mr Gillette's last appearance in America for some time, as he opens in September at Sir Henry Irving's theatre in London for a run. At the end of the third act the demands for a speech were so emphatic that for the first time since he has been playing this part he appeared out of the character. Mr Gillette said:
"Ladies and Gentlemen — You are very kind, indeed, to express a desire to see me personally for a moment, and thus give me the opportunity of bidding, you farewell. It is not, however, precisely the kind of farewell which you have possibly been led to expect.
"I am quite aware that some allusions have appeared in the papers to a probability that I would soon retire from the stage and go to work on a farm. You will be disappointed to learn that I don't intend to do this-unless the papers insist. The work would be easier, but I prefer to stay where I am.
"One of the special blessings of modern civilization is the manner in which we at least we of the theatres-have our lives personally conducted, at no expense to ourselves, by the enterprising journalism of the day. Please do not understand me as complaining of this — I like it. It saves trouble and anxiety.
"Although I have no intention of abandoning dramatic work at present, this is positively my last appearance, personally, before the curtain of a theatre in this country. While it is delightful to respond to the compliment of a call and to be the recipient of such a compliment, it is a great mistake for an actor to yield to the temptation, and I, for one, am going to discontinue it.
"I feel that, in appearing before the curtain, or outside of the scenes of the play, I am shattering at one blow the Illusion, which not only myself, but the entire company has been faithfully working to establish.
"This illusion or sense of actuality is at the very basis of modern effective drama, and it should not be subjected to so rude and unnecessary a blow.
For that reason, I am bidding you, and through you, if you will allow me, the theatre going public a very affectionate personal farewell, although I most sincerely hope to have the pleasure of again appearing before Boston audiences in the place to which my work assigns me. I thank you for giving me the opportunity of saying this and for listening to a rather uninteresting matter so patiently."
