The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-09-01
1oun n owrNs-Mr owens un1oubtedlv

John E. OwENs-Mr. Owens undoubtedly
stands at the head of his profession in his par
| ticular line of comedy. In dealing with that
kind of humor which mingles with path0s, as
| in the character of Caleb Plumn1er, he is supe-
| rior to all others who attempt the part He
has not, like Jefferson or Clark, certain man
nerisms or effects that he carries into all his
presentations; he merges his own Individual
ty completely in his part. Last night the man
who played Joshua Butterfly could not be
recognized in the man who played Scion
Single. Not an attitude, tone Of voice. ges-
ture. intonatian or expression of face could be
recognized. Butterfly, In The Victims is one
of Mr. Owens lightest parts. He is the airy,
Tightly old beau with an eye to the main
chance, and a streak of worldly wisdom in his
gay and seemingly careless eccentricities. He
is placed in absurd situations, is snubbed by
the 'sundulating milliner," laughed at by his
friends, and held in abject humility by "that
superior woman" Minerva. His remarks are
a rafting commentary on all that goes ON
around him. always bright and witty in his
repartees, but always the marpiot, laundering
into the affairs of Others with unhappy results.
He was supported in this by Mr.. r. L. Down
ing, as Mr. Merryweather; Mr.. Giles Shine, as
Fitzherl,ert, the poet (who by the way, is the
prototype of the Postlethwaite of Punch's @s-
thetic poetry) Mrs. Franklin Mcclellan, as
Mrs. Merryweather; Miss Blanche Thompson
as Mrs. Fitzherbert and Mrs. Eberle as Min
erva. This play is full Of bright dialogue and
amusing situations, and was received with
great laughter and applause. Mr.. Owens was
greeted with very cordial demonstrations on
his first entrance, and they were protracted
until they became almost embarrassing 1t
was some time before he could go on with the
play, He was also called before the curtain
at the close Of each act
Scion Single is a masterpiece of character
acting, wholly the creation of Mr. Owens, and
will die with him. Take it for all in all, it
stands unrivalled in the naturalness, quaint
ness, humor and accuracy of portraiture, and
is as faultless in finish as the Rip Van Wrinkle
of Mr.. Jefferson. 1t labors under the disad-
vantage of setting in play that is no pro-
per background for such wonderful piece of
art. There is nothing in the play except |
Owens, and when he is not on the stage it is
goody- goody to degree that is not Of this |
world. Fortunately, Scion Single is ION"
nearly all the time, and what is better, great |
part of it on alone. The shrewd, kind hearted, |
inquisitive, gOssiping, absurd old cOuntryman |
is portrayed to the life. 1t is not caricature,
not an exaggeration Of humorous trait or |
eccentricity, but firmly drawn and shaded |
reality, consistent creation that has in every |
little trick and movement the look of study |
from actual life. If this character could be
taken out Of its present setting and put into
play that his romance, wit, sentiment, incident
and dramatic oppositions of character-some-
thing to set off the creation of Scion Single
and bring out its beauties, it would have
charm that would be irresistible. Never did
piece Of dramatic virgin ore stand in greater
need ola good playwright to set its beauties
forth. As it stands, however, it is delightful,
and ceaselessly amusing. This opening OF
Ford's season was highly successful. The
house was crowded and very demonstrative.
AmeaSc0n
Mr.. Owens will arrive in Staunton in
September, Wednesday 18th, and will appear
here under Mr.. Ford's management with the
company IN addition to Mr.. Van
denhoff, the distinguished English light Com
median.