Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-17

W. A'A0hTa Twin SE BFoSEaf: @SSsa;i Co.
Curiosities, etc.
The above are the theatrical attractions for
this week.
That Messrs. Robson and Crane will never
be seen together upon the same stage is a
matter of great regret. "The Henrietta" will
be seen here again no doubt, with Stuart Rob-
son as BERTHE the lamb, but there will be no
Mr. Craneto make Old Nick of Wall street
such truthful picture of an American type.
The loss will not be to the public alone. 1t is
very unlikely that Mr.. Robson will be able to
| NIL Mr.. Cranes place, and there will be gap
in "The Henrietta" which will be painfully
apparent
1t would be much easier, to my thinking, for
Mr.. Crane to obtain substitute for Mr.. Rob
| son, clever as that actor is.
=x#
'The Henrietta, however, in anything like
competent hands will be popular and artistic
success for a very long while to come. 1t is the
best work of the best dramatist America
boasts. The rare union in it of witty modern
dialogue, with an intelIigible and sharply
dramatic plot, equipped with unforced yet for
chile situations is the source of 1.-THE Henri,
| etta's'' strength. There have been immense
audiences in the Grand Opera House at every
| One of the reports concerning the Abbott
| company, which will be at the Bijou this week,
| is that 1t will shortly be Joined by young
| tenor, who comes from Southern Kentucky
| and has already astonished everybody who has
heard him sing with the beauty and power Of
| his voice. 9
So enthusiastic are his friends that one of
| them has written to Mr.. Pratt, manager of EN-
| ma Abbott, asking that the youth be heard
and given trial of his powers. Mr.. Pratt has
\ replied, saying to send the youTh at once to
Philadelphia and he will pay all expenses and
| have trial by the most proficient masters to
be found in that city and New York, Emma
| Abbott to be one of the examiners. The Phil
\ adelphia correspondent of THE DISPATCH
found Mr.. Pratt at the Continental Hotel on
/ Thursday last and asked to be put IN posses
| sion of the facts. The latter was 10th to say
much about the matter, but finally admitted
| that such an examination was to take place If
| the young man arrives in time. otherwise in
| Cincinnati.
There really is such person, thenT' the
correspondent asked.
"Yes," replied Mr. Pratt, ''but know moth
| ing of his wonderful voice further than what
| has been written to me. II all is true as has
| been written to me, tenor OF the first mag
| nftude may have been found, but until his
voice has been thoroughly tested, tried and re-
tried and We know exactly what it is, its COM
pass, quality, strength and range, L do not care
| to give an opinion"
IF his voice is found to be as represented,
what then?'
! why, shall most assuredly engage him for
a term of years, send him abroad for study and
| in due time possibly introduce the great Amer
lean tenor that the critics have been clamoring
| for so long,"
"Wfl you give his nameq'
| Not until after the trial. 1t would be hardly
| fair to him, and would be distasteful to me-"
Possibly the great American tenor has been
| born at last
Referring to the clamor which has been
1
Jr the Dramatic Mirror asks: "And in the
name of all that is sound, and sensible. upon
what basis of promise or of performance has
shea pretty, but utterly untried. unframed
and inexperienced person-found herself
sought and secured as star" by a manager
| to whom we have been taught TO looK as 3
sturdy maintainer of the dignity of the stage
and supporter of the worthier professional ele
! ment?
Upon a basis neither weaker nor stronger
than that upon which Mrs. Langtry or Mrs
| Potter obtained backing The basis is usually
I called notoriety.
1t is phase Of human nature to underesti
| mate the real worth of familiar things and per
sons. "a prophet is not without honor save in
| his own country" The schoolmate of an early
| day can scarcely credit the rumored eminence
| of some former companion, and people are apt
TO accept as matter of course the excellence
OF a pQOnc entertainment OF q IaVOr1Cc neWSpa
per without giving proper credit to the ability
| and effort of those who provide the enjoyment
William ]. Florence is one of the many who
have suffered from this bane of familiarity.
| He is popular, everybody likes him, but he il
known as Billy and has been for many year:
lone of u.s." The result is that his eminent
merits as an actor do not commonly receive the
recognition to which they are fairly entitled
| In the range of characters which Mr.. Florence
has essayed during his career and the lndivid
ual strength he has given to each type, he is to
day, and has been for many years, comedian
| of whom the American people may be as proud
/ as the English are of Toole, and as the Frencl
are of Coquelin.
50
Some years ago the Florences were among
the principal theatrical attractions in theil
! specialities-Mr. Florence IN the portraiture Of
the Irish character and Mrs. Florence as the
| Yankee girl. Since then Mr.. Florence has ruI
the entire gamut of character and comedy
acting. Obenreiser, in Dickens mo Thorough
fare" was conceded to be one of the stronges
| impersonations of its time. Bob BTieTly, il
| 'The Ticket of Leave Man." enabled him tc
| show his capacity for romantic character
Bdrdl0eU Stote, in The Mighty Dollar" is al
j original creation, giving dramatic form to 6
| type of American character which is as dis
| tincJ as the old-time Yankee. His Captain
Cutie is a picture, and he invests 1t with
! heartiness and humor that is simply irresisti
| ble There is not space to recall all his sue
| cesses. but enough has been written to sugges
/ that Mr.. Florence has probably covered 9
wider range of comedy character than an,
other American actor. HEPBURN JOHNS.