Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1885-06-13
Ia. FLORENCE,s RFE1NIsCENCEs
BurtOn's Capt Cuttle-What Dickens Told
Florence When Irving Supported Him.

buECOhs capt CuUGle-What Dickens Told
Florence When Irving Supported Him.
''See here, florence, why don't YOU
revive Capt CuttleP" asked a repor-
ter, while seated in the dressing groom
Of the Star theatre on Saturday night.
The hne-faced comedian had Just come
from the stage and was seated in an
easy armchair. His attendant was
adjusting his Gov. Pinto wig, and
smoke from a fragrant cigar was
curling above his head. II see letters
in the newspapers, - the reporter con
tinued, calling for your appearance
in the round Of your old characters,
Jules Obenreizer among others. Why
don't you crafty them?''
The actor laid aside his cigar. ''AIy
young friend, " he replied, 'Why should
l change my performance? Our
Governor is drawing good houses.
The audiences laugh and applaud from
the time the curtain rises until the end
of the play. As far as lam concerned l
like Cutie, Obenreizer, and Bob Bri-
erley, much better than BardWell,
SlOte or Gov. Perkins, but we must set
such Viands on the dramatic table as
the peculiar appeUites of the public
demand. 'DOmbey and Son, when
originally brought out at Burton's lit
tie theater in Cham bers street, on the
spot now occupied by the American
News company, singularly enough,
was not a success at the beginning,
and was Withdrawn after Il few nights
performance. A week or two later it
was substituted for another play. and
then began an unprecedented run.
MIR Burton, as Capt. Cutie, added
another great character to his already
lyyfansfUa 1saVarFOirnr rryhf1n
lent young comedian, Oliver RAYMOND.
made a great hit as TOOts. From the
reputation he achieved in this charac-
ter he was known as 'TOOts' Raymond
until the day of his death. There are
very few of the original caste now
living. Edwin Marley, Frank Rea,
and James Dunn are the only ones I
can now recall. And what glorious
pOrtraitures were John BrOugham's
two j. B. s, Joe BagstOck and Jack
BunsbY. After BurtOn's death [ acted
Capt. Cutie at BrOugham's Lyceum,
and subsequently, in England, Henry
Irving appearing as Mr.. DOmbeY,
while Mrs. Florence essayed the part
of Susan NIpper. Charles Dickens
came to see the play, and compli-
mented US on the fidelity or our rep
FesentatiOn. -
'But are not Dickens plays always
popular with play-gOersP" the reporter
asked.
Dickens stories, - Mr.. Florence re-
piled, care very difficult to dramatic,
each novel affOrding characters enough
for a dozen plays. Hence it is that
the playing editions of Dickens works
seem sketchy and insufficient. NO
ThOrOughfare' is one of the best of his
dramatized stories, Jules Obenreizer
being in itself strong psychological
study. Dickens gave a great deal of
thought and care in developing this
character. lie told me that he in
tended to make him one of the most
subtle and polished Williams ever pOr-
trayed in fiction"
''Then there will be no opportunity
of seeing you in these plays this sea-
sOnP''
''No. NV engagement at the Star
is limited to three weeks, and will
close next Saturday night. have an
engagement in this city commencing
next September, when 1 may repro
duce our old successes.
The newspapers are announcing
that prominent actors and managers
are going to have theaters built for |
them. Why are you not in the ield?''
81 hope to have a theater OF my own /
in New York. was the reply" as
both Mrs. Florence and myself are
very tired of this wandering life and /
DESTROYS of settling down at home; but |
if were to ventilate this idea it would /
probably interfere with the plans of /
the other managers who project build |
ing theaters, for, as the Irishman said /
who was riding along the highway, /
when the horses foot became en-
tangled in the stirrup, 'Hould on a
mint What are you doing down
there? BegOrra, if yes are going to
get up here, be iabers. 1 am going to
get down. "-NetO York San.