Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-02-15
THE DRAMA.
John 8. Clarke In the :. Ticketof-Leave-
Man."

John 8. Clarke In tho 'TicketofLeave-
Man."
Mr.. Clarke's Bob Briefly is thoroughly
artistic production, not wanting in any of
the delicate touches aud bits of dramatic
coloriog that go to constitute the finished
picture. Persons who have seen this actor
only in the more pronounced comedy roles
OF his repertoire, wherein his re-
markable facial expression is brought
actively and continuously into play,
and where his ready grasp upon the
humOr of the situation in which he is
ordinarily placed is used so effectually to
make his auditors laugh, eau have but Al
inadequate idea Of the degree Of pathos
with which he imbues this part of the
honest hearted Lancashire lad, led by
wicked companions into trouble that
lands him in a prison cell. Frequently
throughout his last nights performance
at the opera house there were moist eyes
in the audience, and that even in the
broad diapasOn Of humor like Clarke's
his Characterization Of the Ticket-of-
LeavelMan furnishes a most convincing
illustration. Criticism is disarmed in ex-
amining such y careful and in
telligent impersonation as this, and
then too it is one that appeals SO
directly to the heart rather than
to the sense by which We arc accustomed
to view dramatic creations that there is
small inclination left to apply the regula-
tiOn plumb and square rs the test of accu-
-racy. The effect is produced, the sensi-
bilities of the spectator touched, his sympa-
thies awakened and never allowed to flag.
With fine, artistic judgment Mr.. Clarke
maintains al even balance in his represen.
tatiOn, ncvs. overstepping the bounds of
decOrum or exceeding the limits Of good
taste or good sense even in the passages
calling for th: largest display Of feeling.
The touches of humOr which fringe the
part in his s'c,pltle hands fall gratefully
upon the aut'i ur's sense and are altogether
natural, gOim.; to show that the inherent
buOyaucy OF the country boys spirits has
not been entirely destroyed, though in
deed misfortune and disgrace have left
their sad imprint on q spirit naturally
mirtbful and .!,,'!.
The support; WIS in all respects admir-
able. AS Hay Wllough6y, Miss Blanche
Thompson gave evidence of dramatic
ability that surprised and gratified her ad
mirers here, " hO hitherto have seen her only
in light opctatic parts. There was per-
vading her characterization Of B0b's faith
full friend, his good angel amid all tho
misfortune and peril through which he
passed, feeling and fervor that were none
the less effective because always quiet and
subdued, and the part was invested with
q charm that quickly and successfully
challenged the sympathy Of the audience.
The remainder of the cast was of evenly
balanced merit, notably worthy of mention
being Mr.. ROwe's Dalton, Mr.. Chapman's
Moss, Mrs. Kowe's Mrs. WIlough6y and
Miss Lizzie Harold's Sam, all spirited and
satisfactory cbaracterizatiOns.
The mounting of the piece was on the
whole inferior. To say nothing of the
palpable cutting to which it was subject
ed, there was considerable difficulty in
getting the scenic effects to work properly.
They made a tremendous amount of noise
behind the scenes during the progress of
the play, getting things into shape
SO much, indeed, that frequently
it was hard to distinguish tho
words of the players. During the first act
two of the row Of Chinese lanterns strung
under tho flies caught fire. Attention
was called IT, them from the audience, and
they were cztinguished without excite
ment by the actors. Considerable amuse-
ment was caused by one of the supers, who
picked w "a riece OF the burning material
lying near the fOOtligh hts and put it out by
vigorously splitting on it in full view Of the
audience.