The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-04-24
Nat G. Goodwin.

The engagement OF Mar 4. GOODWIN by
Manager Frye. OF Turn hall. for the night
OF Thursday. May 1, is an event OF more
than ordinary interest to theater-goers
Nat Goodwin Is one of the famous actors Of
America. and there was probably no feat
ure in last years dramatic season in New
York that attracted more surprised COM
ment from the critics, both professional
and amateur, than the change introduced
into Mr.. Goodwin's methods, form and line
OF acting. Up to last spring Mr.. Goodwin
was popularity known as an unrivalied
mimic; . master Of burlesque without q
peer--the laughter maker par excellence of
the stage Of today. People had laughed
SO long. so loud and SO continuously over
Mr. Goodwin's droll impersonations that
the name Goodwin seemed inseparably as
sociated with boisterous laughter and
loudly phrased jollity.
When, shortly before the opening of the
spring. . rumor was waited about that
Mr.. Goodwin was arranging for the pro-
dnction OF certain play in which the COM
edy element would be subordinated 10 the
romantic and the pathetic, the critics
shook their heads incredulously and were
sore perplexed But IL was no joke. For
yNaiS sak- oot1NAt ua1 tbfIsSHcu Mti-
defined ambition. A comedian in the old
time meaning of the word was one who de-
picted all the varying phases of human
emotion: comedian in the modern sense
Is simply one who deiineates merry parts
Goodwin could not overcome the convic-
ton that the artist who portrays only the
laughing side OF life IL after all but half
master of his craft; that he depicts only
one phase. and . subordinate phase at
that. Of character which should really he
presented Is = consistent whole. He
sought to be a comedian in the broader,
old-time significance of the name.
lie proceeded toward the carrying cut of
his intent with slow and careful steps. The
peoples taste had seemed in the past 10
demand from him mimiery and the bois-
ferrous joys of harlesque. and under the in
exosahle laws OF demand and supply he
had given il them. IL remained 10 be
seen how they would accept from him
something Of a more artistic, broader.
higher order. In the pursuance of his
Plans in this direction he first essayed
Mudus, in The Hunchhack. !" GoIightiy
IN Lend Me Five Shiilings." and achieved
gratifying success In each. He next en-
tered upon the portrayal of Gringoire. a
part fun OF subtle dellacation and delicate
shading, which Was originally created by
the eminent NJ. coquelin, and PLAYED for
the first time m this country by Lawrence
Jarrett His daring, original and almos,
weirdly realistic presentation OF the char
se;er OF the starving poet was absolutely
startling and fairly took his audience by
storm.
The ia'eS. surprise offered by Mr.. Good
win was that OF last spring when he as
snu'ed the role OF Sslas X Woolcott in "A
Gold Mine" When. on the opening night
as the play progressed the actor passed
quick IS lightning flash. from humor 10
psihoS, and that deep hush which comes
over an audience profoundly moved fell
eHon the honss. the metropolitan critics
were fairly astounded. What. Gould this
ee the Goodwin of Hobbies" and ''Ska,inc
hiak tau8ei lit is more than versatility. p
Declared oise eminent critic. of more than .
quarter Of n eentuFy's experience as q
thea;er-goeg, at Is gsaiusr'
And vet, the surprise over this new turn
IN Seodwia's form Of acting need not have
f~,Sn - pronounced. the new departur,
wss, after all, nog 50 wide step in q differ
cut airOction. Laughter and tears are very
C.ese allied. aumor and palhes are twins
ne artist had simply h-osdenssi his scope
mad merely given treer range ~ his tAIeas
asSd ~ith the magic touch OF senias had
saeeSed the nerrtment az its height and
made the laugh srd in sob. This i.
tas ara this = read life as II i