The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-05-04
BUILDING A CHARACTER
How B. A. Sothern Developed Dun
dreary--Stage Notes.

u1C1f --blagC HutCos
The story Of the genesis of Sothern's
great part. Lord Dundreary, which is
very curious one, is thus told by Mr.
Pemberton:-
ION May IL, 1858, was produced for the
first time the piece known as Our Amer
lean Cousin, by Tom Taylor. Much to
his disgust. Sothern was cast for the sub
ordinate character Of Lord Dundreary,
who was intended to be an old man, and
who had only forty-seven lines to speak.
AT first he declined to play the part. but
subsequently,, on the condition that he
should be permitted to rewrite 1t on lines
of his own, undertook it. Then he COM
menced putting into it everything he had
seen that had struck him as wildly alb
surd.
There was not, he used afterward to de-
clare, a single look, word or act in Lord
Dundreary that had not been suggested
to him by people whom he had known
since early boyhood. On the first night
the part was by no means successful
deed, 1t was some two or three weeks
before the public began to understand
what an actor whose name had hitherto
been identified with character of seri-
Gus or even pathetic type meant by this
comprehended, Lord Dundreary's popu-
larity was q thing assured, and very soon
he made not very interesting or bril-
liant play one of the greatest attractions
that the American stage had ever known.
Every thing about the part-the famous
makeup, the wig, the whiskers and the
eye-glass, the eccentric yet faultless cos
TUNES, the lisp and the stutter the IN
genious distortion of old aphorisms-
were the outcome OF Sothern's own orig
inal thought. Only one thing connected
with the impersonation-the quaint little
hop Chat odd impeachment in the gait,
which became as much part and parcel
of his lordship as the impeachment in his
speech) was the result of accident.
At rehearsal one cold day, Sothern, who
was ever of restless disposition, was en-
deavoring to keep himself warm by hop
ping about at the back OF the stage, when
Miss Keene sarcastically inquired If he
was going to introduce that in Dun
dreary Among the Outstanding actors
and actresses this created q laugh. and
Sothern, who was at the time out of tenn
per with his part, replied in his gravest
manner:--''Yes, Miss Keene, that's my
view of the character Having so far
committed himself, he felt bound to go on
with it, and finding as the rehearsal pro-
crossed that the whole company, includ-
ing the scene shutters, were conyulsed
With laughter, he at night made capital
out of a modified hop.
ga Rag Baby" at Jacobs
Charles ii. Hoyt's great success, ga
Rag Baby" will be at Jacobs Hoboken
Theatre, May 5, G. 7 and Wednesday
matinee. Mr.. Hoyt has surrounded his
work with clever people, added new ma-
sic, and bright and catchy songs. The
latest topical song, Let me grasp the
hand that shook the hand of Sullivan,
is nightly received with great applause.
OF all Mr.. Hoyt's successes. "A Tin Sol
dier, IA Brass Monkey" "A Hole in
the Ground" and "a Midnight Bell.'
none have received such public favor as
this. 1t is nearly three hours continual
laugh. "Old Sports" funny sayings,
Venus" with her bright songs and neat
dances, win the audience from the start.
The three ''Tramps,'' the pretty school
Girls" and last, but not least, the hand
soonest dog alive, with Flanagan" the
policeman, help to make it lively. The
plot will come to the Opera House. and
If anybody can find it Just grab it quick.
ker head the list of very strong com
pany.
"a Texas steer'' at the Academy.
A sterling cast has been called together
to play Hoyt's new political satire, "A
Texas Steer" Mr.. Tim Murphy assumes
the role of the Texas Congressman,
especially written for him; Mr.. George f.
Marion, the great JONAH of "A Brass
Monkey" will create the role of Christie
pher Columbus Jr. Fishback, the colored
statesman; w. S. Harkins has been es-
pecially engaged for the leading juvenile
role, Otis Harlan and j. G. Miron Of the
famous s'Razzle Dazzle'' trio have con-
genial character roles, and George A.
Beane, Jr., Julian Mitchell and Barry
Maxwell are cast for important work.
Flora Walsh is always a hit and will be
seen at her best as the heroine, Bossy, the
wild Texas girl who becomes leader Of
Washington Society. The Texas Steer"
will be seen at the Academy all next week.
s.Thc Grand Duchess Seyenty-fifth
Birthday.
The arrival of 1.-THE Grand Duchess at
the seyenty-fifth performance in the
Casino tomorrow, Monday evening, will
be celebrated in fitting manner The
entire auditorium will be adorned with
bright flowers of all kinds; the lobbies
filed with handsome plants, and SOU
yenirs will be given to everyone present
The souvenir is unlike anything ever be-
fore presented and will 60 far to perpetu-
ate the occasion. 1t is a collection OF
and her associate artists, done on cork
paper. Depending from the lower right
hand corner is strip Of white satin RIB
bon, upon which Is affixed large red
seal. and the whole resembles u military
warrant The cast is printed upon the
reserve side. Mr. Rudolph Arouson an
nounces that the roof garden wlll be
opened to the public very shortly and
that concerts will be given every evening
1,xz the Rival II i1nuar{an Rand The col