Belasco, David, 1853-1931; Theater -- United States
Seven Ages “As You Like It.”
Soliloquy on Death “Hamlet.”
_Hubert_ and _Arthur_ “King John.”
Churchyard Scene “Hamlet.”
“The Bridge of Sighs” Hood.
“The Bells” Poe.
“The Vulgar Boy” Ingoldsby.
“The Bruce” John Brougham.
(Written expressly for Mr. Montgomery.)
“Charge of the Light Brigade” Tennyson.
On the second night he gave:
_Polonius_ to his Son “Hamlet.”
_Wolsey’s_ Farewell “King Henry VIII.”
Dream of _Clarence_ “King Richard III.”
_Benedick’s_ Conversion “Much Ado About Nothing.”
_Brutus’_ Oration “Julius Cæsar.”
_Antony’s_ Oration “Julius Cæsar.”
“The Raven” Poe.
“Ben Battle” Hood.
“The Bloomsbury Christening” Dickens.
As soon as possible after seeing Montgomery’s remarkable display of
talent and versatility Belasco began to give public recitals, arranged
in general upon the model of Montgomery’s, though varied to suit his own
requirements. Chief among his selections were “The Vagabonds,” “The
Maniac,” “Curfew Must Not Ring To-night,” “Bernardo del Carpio,”
_Hubert’s_ scene with _Prince Arthur_, from “King John”; _Marc Antony’s_
Oration, and _Hamlet’s_ Soliloquy on Death. He also gave imitations of
various actors well known to the California public.
A ROMANTIC COURTSHIP.--MARRIAGE.
In the latter part of 1870 or early in 1871, while giving recitations at
Platt’s Hall and elsewhere in San Francisco, his attention was attracted
by an exceptionally handsome girl,--whom he has described as one “all
compact of sweetness,”--who occupied a front seat on every occasion of
his appearance. This young lady (she was little more than a child, being
then only fifteen years old) was Miss Cecilia Loverich. After some time
he was fortunate enough to obtain an introduction to her, at a private
house where he had been engaged to give some recitations, and the
acquaintance thus formed, and earnestly pursued by the romantic youth,
soon ripened into a serious attachment. “I was nobody,” said Belasco to
me, “and she was a beauty, of wealthy family, and,--young as she
was,--already much followed. I did not have much hope at first; but I
didn’t despair altogether, either. If I was only a struggling
[Illustration: CECILIA LOVERICH. MRS. DAVID BELASCO
From a photograph.
Belasco’s Collection.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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