Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-06-29
THE FoRDs.
What a New York "Herald'' Dramatic
Critic Says About Their Talent.

What New York "HeraId'' Dramatic
Critic Says About Their Talent.
The following is a private letter, but
as it refers to a subject in which our citi.
zeEe are interested, and emanates from a
gentleman who ''knows whereof he
speaks,' we take the liberty Of making il
public, and commencing the suggestion
that another performance of 'sThe Old,
Old Story" shall be given at an early day
MARSHALL HOUSE, SAVANNAH, June 2S.
Col. d. II. EstiEIs
MY OLD FRIEED-Permit me to warmly
congratulate you on the success achieved bv
the members Of the association, of which you
are President, last night in the production of
"The Old, Old Story"
Having been for several years the dramatic
editor of the New York Herald, experience
gives me the privilege of saying that / never
before witnessed an entertainment by anna
tours that in the exhibition of stage art and
discipline, correct reading, GOODNESS of adj
dress and independence of the prompt box,
surpassed the initial performance of the sum-
mer season of the Ford Dramatic Associa-
ton. Few trained stock companies
could have done as well on a first night, and
there is many metropolitan manager who,
after seeing such compact excellence, would
pany ION the road" Why don't you produce
the play again?
Savannah certainly ought to support such
admirable local talent, for there are few
travelling combinations that will bring into
this city better actors than Mr.. Hanley, Mr.
Readick. and the Aiessrs. Doyle. Naturally
each of these gentlemen has faults that attach
to young aspirants for dramatic honors.
Hanley, for instance, is tempted to be 'spro-
fuse" He has so much manly voice and
vigor about him that, as the saving
goes, he acts "for all he's worth" But how
well, under more subdued conditions he
80. iu1itnfa fba late CbaI4lac Vbnysuo
Mr.. Readick, too, what charming b6ne-
trating voice he possesses. Yet married all
the time by pronunciation that makes one
think he is dissatisfied with the ends of his
cially on the eonsonants; yet he's good ac-
tor.
And so are the Doyles. at first thought
Lawrence would make tGsc0, but he made
a success. There's $lG0 q week ahead of the
lad whenever he takes to the regular stage,
because he is a born comedian. Tell him,
however, to ''slow down" in his speeches.
One OF the elements of good acting is the
nn,;tv to make the audience understand the
story.
The audience appeared to be much pleased
with the young debatdate, Miss Lenore Gordon
Hussey. | saw her a day or two after my arrl-
val in Savannah in some recitatlons IN Masonic
Hall. and said to myself then, shes gong to
be great actress" Her part last night at
fOrded little opportunity for the display OF her
powers, but enough to show that she has been
wonderfully endowed by nature to undertake
strong dramatic roles.
OF the excellent performance of Miss Pierce
or Mr.. ii. S. Dufield it is unnecessary to
speak, because both are professionals, and
their admirable rendltlons were expected: 1t
is due to Mr. Dufield, however, to say that,
while instructing the company and directing
the play. he won double honor by the artistic
manner in which he assumed the character Of
a Partisan, and gave to it the force and pre-
cision that was quickly recognized by the au-
dience.
Now, Colonel, Savannah ought to be prompt
to recognize such superior talent, to be proud
of its presence, and TO give it support. Last
nights entertainment ought to be repeated,
and if those which are announced to follow
are even half as good. your Ford Dramatic
Association will establish itself at the front
among the best of similar organizations in the
United States. Yours truly,
+. g. DE FONTAINE.