The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-04-10
MR.. FLoRENCE's "REMINISCENCES.

Burtons Capt. Cuttle-What Dickens Iolu
Florence When Irving Supported Him.
ssSee here, Florence, why don't you
revive Capt Cuttle?" asked repor-
ter. while seated in the dressing-room
of the Star theatre on Saturday night.
The fine faced comedian hadjust come
from the stage and was seated in an
easy armchair His attendant was
Smoke from fragrant cigar was
curling above his head. 81 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. "My
Young friend" he replied, 'why should
/ change my performances Our
Governor is drawing good houses.
The audiences laugh and applaud from
tn time the curtain rises until the end
of the play. AS far as lam concerned L
like Cutie, Obenreizcr, and Bob Bril-
erlev, much better than Bardwell,
Slote or Gov. Perkins, but we must set
such viands on the dramatic table as
the peculiar appetites of the public
demand. 'Dombey and Son. when
originally brought out at Burton's lit
tie theater in Chambers street, on the
spot now occupied by the American
News company, singularly enough,
xas not a success at the beginning,
and was Withdrawn after IL few nights
performance A week or two later 1T
was substituted for another play. and
then beoan an unprecedented run.
Mr. Burton, as Capt. Cutie, added
another great character to his already
extensive repertoire, while an excel
lent young comedian, Oliver Raymond,
made a great hit as Toots. From the
reputation he achieved in this charac-
s,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
can now recall. And what glorious
portraitures were John Brcugham's
two J. BIS, 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 Nlpper. Charles Dickens
: came to see the play, and compli-
mented us on the fidelity or our rep
resentation."
"But are not Dickens plays always
popular with play-goers?" the reporter
asked.
Dickens stories." Mr.. Florence re-
piled, .are very difficult to dramatize,
Aach novel affording characters enough
for a dozen plays. Hence it is that
the PLAYING editions of Dickens works
seem skctchy 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
Acharacter. 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-
son?"
mo. NY engagement at the Star
is limited to three weeks, and will
close next Saturday night. l have an
engagement in this city commencing
next September, when | may repro
duce our old successes"
1.-The newspapers are announcing
that prominent actors and managers
|. are going to have theaters built for
Tthem. Why are you not in the field?"
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
thereP Begorra, if yes are going to
get up here, be iabers. l am going to
get down. '-NeD York SIM.
RObbIng Il Dead RObDer.