Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-03-26
NASHVILLE TENN. FRIDAY, MARCH 96. 1876.
CROCKETT ON THE STAGE.
How the Famous Tennesseean Is Rep
resented by Popular Actor.
New York Tribune, March 2


Mr.. Frank Mayo appeared at the Park
Theater last night, and acted Dayy Crock
ett-witb which part his name has been for
some time identified. He was seen by a
numerous assemblsge of delighted specta-
tors, that greeted him with cordial vel
come and applauded his acting in an e.
ceedingly earnest and ferYent manner. M
Mavo's personatiOn of Davy Crockett is not
unknown to play-gCers in this community
1t was first exhibited here some time ago
at Woods Museum, and last year II the
month Of March Nj. Mayo presented 1t 81
Niblo's Garden, where it was ne
ceiVed with emphatic favor. II
has not obtained, however, in as ample
measure as it deserves, the admiration
of this public. The fact that 1t is not
piece Of rough-and-ready melodramas but
one Of the few picturesque, delicate, genie
and wholesome dramatic works that grace
and dignity the American stage, has not
Teen largely understood. Circumstances
at present though greatly favor 1t; aud
there is reason 10 think that it viii not
only long maintain its place in popularity
at the Park Theater, but also will take us
full rank in intellectual appreciation. II
is brought forward by theatrical manager
who seems to estimate it at its proper
worth, since he has presented it amid suis-
able surrounding and in dignihed and
tasteful way. 1t eInerges at theater w1
is Thought to be devoted tOthe iuterpretatioa
of American drama, and the illustration
without admixturs of shoddy and vice-of
American mind and manners. Il comes
here after Colonel Sellers and is offered as
a companion pictrre TO that distinetively
national creation. That was domestic and
comical. This is domestic and serious. II
is fortunate in prestige and fortunate, like
wise, in association; and in itself it is more
fortunate yet-fo1 il is a deeper, stronger,
sweeter, and more brilliant embodiment
than il was when seen before; which fact
shows il to possess that wholesome vitality
and earnest spirit which are the elements
of growth as we'll as the foundations Of
individual character.
The ideal which Mr.. Mayo aims 10 en-
body-and which, to a great extent, be
succeeds in livine-is that Of simple, ten
der, generous, brave and honorable man
hood, made pict lresque by condition and
ennobled by herDism; and this IS an ideal
which wholesome minds and good hearts
will always accept with sympathy and
affection. It is, moreover, an ideal which
no actor can successfully present, who does
not within himself possess the attributes Of
strength and sweetness. He cannot here
Like a tin pan in the sunshine-Tefect the
light from his surface. His spirits must
shine through hiIn--Or they will shine In
vain. The chief source of Dir. MayO's sue
cess in Davy Crockett, accordingly, is
without doubt, his temperament. The
quality of his impersOnatiOn is felt TO
be noble, gentle and winning and to
be sincere. But the coDqUering charm Is
not temperament alone. To the pow
er of condition the artist has added
the power and The manifold facilities Of
action; and, though some Of his action is
initiative and some OF it is defective, these
auxiliar forces add greatly to the beauty Of
his embodiment and show that be possess IS
dramatic instinct Of the finest description.
There is rOughnsss, crudeneSs, and prOliXity
IN certain of his methods Of displaying tie
action of mixed motives and feelings. His
assumptions of humorous seriousness, with
the child, and Of drOll sheepishne-s, with
the woman, are tinged with artihce, for the
possible reason that originally they were
Initiative, and they have not yet acquired
spontaneity. Els walk and bearing, be-
sides, are not entirely those Of the hunter,
to whom trees are dear companions and the
wilderness is home, and unto whom no
trace Of town manner adheTeS. Bat
these are incidental matters ia which
the art of the actor can attain
completeness; and, meanwhile, to {
spirit of simple goodness and more thsn
wOmanly Observation-Disclosures by bright
intelligence and expressed in a buOyant,
gallant manner-he adds agracefal, ductiie,
various and impulsiyely passionate action,
in scenes that are fraught-bec2Hse 10
makes them so-With the tenderness and !
romance of true love, and with the excite
ment and tension and glory Of true hero
ism. This is TO accomplish much. It is
because of Whit Mr., Mayo suggests, as %
his mental and spiritual direction, IS we'd
as of what he accomplishes, however, thai
we believe in him as one Of the leading
actors Of the next epoch of American
dramatic history. The direction in which
he may be expected to develop is that
of the ideal. He is full Of the magnet
ism Of kindly seDsibility and of dTOll hu-
NOR. He has mounted upward from q
humble place through the discipline Of
hard experience and earnest work. He does
not sufficiently display the working Of emo
ton in his face; and in tiueness Of facial
play and the uses Of repOse, as well as the
kindling forc3 of natural speed, he has
room for technical improvement. But be
seems very distinctly to have learned that
acting should not stop at imitation, but IN
the copying If nature should interpret its
meaning. He does not in Davy Crockett
present the figure of a hulking backwOOds,
man, with dirty boots and greasy leather
Jacket; but, while he makes that figure suf-
liciently real to suggest actual life at rs
best, he makes it poetic enough to satisfy
the imaginative ideal which It arouses IN
the spectators mind. This is the supreme
touch in romantic acting, and whenever
this is perceptible the future Of the actOEis
Of