Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-03-08
Uncle Josh WhitcOmb"

Uncle Josh Whitcomb"
The bridgeport Comm Daily Standard
speaks in the following highly complimentary
terms of Denman Thompsons "Uncle Josh
Whitcomb," which will be brought out here
on Wednesday evening:
Denman Thompson stands head and Shout
ders above every other actor in the country
in his line of business. He is unique. He
is unapproachable. He is absolutely with
out a rival. There are others who have
made money and fame by happy hit, but
none of them can equal Mr.. Tbompson's
"Uncle Josh Whitcomb.' The character
stands out above all others because it is a
type of a broad whole. John Ovens $50
Ion Single" appeals to narrow circle. He
is not an every day man, but an isolated
specimen. Joseph Jefferson's ''Rip Van
Wrinkle is an impossible absurtity. Frank
Mayo's ssDavy Crockett" is man we read
about but never meet. All these characters
are finely drawn and perfectly played,
heart like honest ''uncle Josh"
We meet him every day. He drives his
loads of produce through our streets, shows
up at every country fair and may be found in
great profusion on town meeting days. He
is as sweet as his native clover breezes, as
fresh as the dew on his own meadows, as
honest as the meek-eyed steers he prides
himself upon, as kind as The New England
sun that has bronzed his rugged cheek, and
AS hearty as one of his own New Hampshire
winters. He is revelation to theatre-goers.
H, represents something never before seen
upon the stage in such absolute perfection
Every line and every movement recalls some
thing association has made dear to these OF
us who had the good fortune to be born amid
the hills and meadows and outside the shadow
of brick and mortar. He knows nothing OF
conventional WAYS, and the polish of fashiona-
HE society would as i'll befit him as the garb
that fashion has decreed its votaries shall wear
| bnt he replaces the one with a frank, open.
honest. kindly manIiness and generosity that is
as natural to him as the homespun that serves
HE s;mple tastes in lieu of the other. He is as
natural as a child and as pure. He knows
| little of evil for his nature repels it. He Is
unused TO the WAYS and tricks of the world,
and would be easily duped were it not for the
native shrewdness that stands him in good
stead in place of the experiences he lacks.
Constant association with nature and men OF
| HE own character has moulded him into a
form that attrition with the larger world be-
voud can not change or mar. He may De
| laughed at but will always be respected and
loved for his straight forward manlness ana
sincerity. He speaks plainly because he
knows no reason for concealment- lie has
never been taught that language was gwen
us TO disguise our thoughts, and therefore Is
"a omen as a book. Any man may read him
,hronyh and through and will find him fresh,
unspoiled and wholesome to the last leaf.
| He Is a practical everyday christian, who
can nut his finger on his prayer long enough
| ~ stop and throw ruffian ont OF the window
and then 60 on from where he LEFT on He Is
.s tender as he is strong and can whip bully
inc loafer in the street and then reversntiy
bend above . dying bed and soothe the pas
| .agc of 4 soul to eternity With kind words
and practical deeds that are better than
lords. All this is Denman Thompson
..IYncle Josh. and As such he will live as he
deserves 10 live. He will be remembered moi
f,r the individual but for the class he typ
fes. Mr.. Thompson has made the character
the success it is without aid from the play
s;nce II amounts to nothing in a dramatic
sacsc. II il mere thread on which tn.
amusing and pathetic incidents Glide oaci
and forth at will. Mr.. Thompson's acting i
perfection because he does not seem to ACT
Eli. He simply goes upon the stage and iise'
the part. He absorbs the character ana
n tnrn absorbed BY it. He never forge'
h;mself and never becomes self conscious
Ne hss NO tricks Of manner that indicate M
Il -.co1mition Of his audience. So fAr - ne
Icoocerned there might not Be person WIN