The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1885-12-10
A Dearth of Good Actors.

list of really competent dramatic art
lists is a very small one; and to this
may be added the equally significant
fact that there is little room 60 hope
for the early C oming of fit successors
to those who have in the past adorned
and dignitied the American stage.
There is nobody left, it is conceded,
who is worthy to yes poor McCul-
lough's mantle in the Interpretation
of any of the characters with which
his name is so closely and splendidiy
associated. 1t is doubtful, indeed, if
we have o. than three or four actors
who are able to play any of the old
heroic parts in a fairly creditable way;
while as for actresses, there is perhaps
not n who can represent a Shak-
spearean heroine with distinct force
and skill. Booth is incompatible
within certain limits, and Barrett is
entitled to highest praise with a SINH
lar qualification; and when these are
named, where are we to look for an
other who car truly be called first
class in any respect? There are as
pirants enough, of both sexes, but
they all come short OF definite and
conclusive excellence, and are at best
merely passable.
In all the other professions there is
a steady supply OF good material, and
the average compares favorably with
that of any former period; but in the
line of acting, deterioration is the rule,
and the development of really SUBJ
stantial talent seems to have practi-
cally come to a stop. We do not lack
for competent lawyers. physicians,
clergymen and the like to take the
places of those who pass away; but
when a superior actor goes hence he
leaves a gap that we must despair of
filling. In the nature of things this
should moi be the case. The incen-
tives to ambit on and exertiOn in the
theatrical domain are at least as great
as car be found elsewhere, and the
price of success is very much the
same in hat as in all other pursuits.
An actor who succeeds is certain both
of fame and fortune, the measure of
each depending entirely upon his own
capacity and lidel.t y. The opportun-
ity is always waiting for him; the
public is just as eager on its account
to have him succeed as he a possibly
be to earn its approval and support
and the popular favor once secured,
the task of holding it is only II ques-
ton of devotion to duty. of honest and
faithful personal service.
1t appears, however, that the pres
n race of actors is either fundament-
ally incapable OF doing the best kind
of work under anv conditions, or is
unwilling to submit to the decipiine
which is Indispensable in any profess
sion if one would achieve Il triumph
worth having. There is no good rea-
son why the example of an actor like
Mccullough should fail to inspire and
instruct other and younger actors in
such n manner rs to perpetuate his
methods and keep alive his under
standing OF given plays and characters.
In former times that was the effect,
and great actors, though dead, con-
tinued to be seen in the persons of
those who had attent vely studied
them. and thus mastered the phil
Osophy of their art. Mccullough
modelled his acting after that of For
rest in 4 considerable decree; and all
other eminent actors have prof;ted in
like measure from past patterns of
excellence. But the present tendency
seems to be against that form oflearn-
ing how to become proficient in stage
work. 1t is taken for granted, one is
constrained to believe. that it is not
absolutely necessary to learn how to
be an actor at all any more; but that
success is to be gained in some easier
and specdier way.
The result is that, instead of having
actors of q conscientious sort, STRIVING
continually to improve themselves,
and to rise gradually on their merits,
as men GET forward in other profess
sions, we have only amateurs and pre-
tenders, who substitute assurance for
ability and insist upon trying to shine
as stars when they should be taking
lessons in the very rudiments of their
business. 1t Is NO answer to say that
people go to see these imposters and
kindly smile upon and applaud them.
The people have to put up with what
is to be had, or abandon the theater
entirely. That they are patient IN the
presence of mediocrity and do their
best to make believe they are enjoying
it counts for nothing except as going
to show how much human nature can
oIoho ith'u oPCh lCDCIiiOH, anu HOW
determined it is to be amused even
under the most difficult conditions.
There is IL fixed popular craving for
the drama, and if it can not have what
is sound and deserving, it will take
what it a tiLd and make the most of
it; but it knows all the time that it is
being deceived and triiled with, and it
quickly seizes al occasion to get some
thing better, even at double the price.
The fault does not lie with the pub
lie, nor can the public furnish q
remedy. There will be good actors in
the United States when more are will
ing to undergo a proper urse of
training and waiting IL that connec-
ton, and there will be none any soon
er. Mccullough did not leap to the
front at 4 S ngle effort. He won his
fame step by step, and through severe
and unremitting application. No
great actor las ever been made in any
other way. Ii all the list of noted
men and wOnen who have from time
to time redeemed the stage to high
and noble uses, not a single case of
sudden success is to be found. They
all had TO shine dimiy at first, gaining
in brightness as they learned by study
and experience to exert their powers