New-York tribune., 1890-06-05
BEAU BRUMMELL7 And MR. MANSF7ELD

Mr.. Mansfield has carried his play. "Beau
Brummen," which produced at the Madison
square Theatre May 10, has been acted sixteen
times, and each time in the presence Of many
persons as could be crowded into the theatre This
result conspcuously illustrates the power Of ane
actor 10 vitalize a nimsy play; and Furthermore 10
defines and accentuates the answer 10 those who
affirm that actor is mere medium of transmission
and contributes nothing. Mr. Mansfield has cor-
tributed everything without him this piece wouIt
show for what it really is-a tissue Of trivial in.
cidents interviewer with fatuOus prattle Never,
indeed was more conspicuous illustration afforded
Of the spoliation of good subject by an mex
perienced writer. Yet, animated by Mr. Mans
fields sincerity Of spirit graced by his charm OF
personality, and displayed by his professional skill.
the piece is invested with authority and is made
,ful
One reason for this actors triumphant pro
dominance is that it he who chose the subject
and guided and directed the composition-and know
Ing what he wished TO accomplish. he was q
course, the better able ." achieve II. Beau Brun-
NELL as a theme for a comedy has been In NJ.
Mansfelds mind for more than three or four yean.
and he has also had hand during all that tlne.
the grouud-plan Of the cOmedy;he plan. that is. Il
making Beau Brummel what he certainly was not q
magnaniaous lover who sacrifices himself IL ordr
to secure the union and happiness Of Two young
hearts, and who then subsidies out Of his nasnn
iceul opulence into a stale Of tarnished splendoi
and melancholy, pathetic and tragic decay. 1hIs
subject and this scheme were recently put by Mr.
Mansfield into the hands OF the young gentleman
from Boston, Mr. Clyde Fitch, who figures as
the author Of Beau Bummell.7 and who has nkened
himself TO 10 less person than John Keats, merely
because the weak dialogue that ne provided for Mr.
Mansfeld's use has here and there been mentioned
as Inadequate. such most assuredy. 1t is, and
Mr. clyde Fitch, although ii promising youth and
possibly IA good dramatist, has not Yet proved his
right to be accepted dramatic author except IN
a limited sense. For whatever he has done ne
should have credit, but the real creator Of Beau
Brlmmell Is Mr.. Mansfield; and seldom has such an
instructive example been provided OF the scope and
puissance OF the art of acting.
The person represented by Mr.. Mansfield Is not
indeed Beau Bmmme in actual personality. inc
dresses and the external attributes may be, ana
probably are, historically correct, but the mdviduai
IS distinctly somebody else, and as well misht 10
called Beau Jones' or Beau smith. as Beau I'rum'
nell A discrepancy at this point, however. Is hot
material Mr. Mansfield wished TO emoody the ex'
oui,t, fine gentleman of artificial period OF
manners, and the story of Beau Brummeu attracted
him because contained the pathetic incident OF tho
phanionl banquet which makes his Closing act' ana
bocau,e IL was environcd with the glltterns adJacis
of fashionable life In the time of the Regency he
knew however-being himself an expert dramatlSt' as
We'll as an experienced actor-Ihat, IN a play, mo
historical fact Is tdg less important IMAM t'c s1,.
ar.ct with which L is used. lie would, douotlcss'
have enacted the dandy IL precisely me same man,
ner had lie chosen 10 revive Douglas J,Ftou "''p;
of " Bcau Nash"-whch at one ume vas Il. n.'
ntlnd--au old piece which, IN Polht 81 VII - t''n
mn to The standard OF sheridan ana III NhlOn 10
could have embodied most picturesque pcTNOH"-D
There wa, more dramatic erect, however 10 10
got ont of the contrast OF eftulgence ana oI st1o
In a p,rsouation of Beau Brummen NOT 10 sPenh ~
tho element of novelty I'm the cnterprl,e, ana, tn
fore II wa, Brummell that he chose Inc tnil7 '"
ho h.. donc is an achievement IN the pure Nim ~
Imagination having its basis on "a reilo.0 a,
>ey,rl of the atcnuated wltuclsuIs tl,. ~" - ,Sr,
trbuicd TO Bulmme in Captain Jesse nc & y hsara ana
are incorporated into the part EVtSuv"s n .,iHn1
ma story Of Wales. ring the bell t~ltl,i .rntb
and NJ Who i, your fst friend Whi,h ~ d eS, ,he,
10Th az those emerge and these ana Others I'M ~
arn ,.,oclated with numerous c!ahor@'o SUI pr,
n,u inner, incuce. There the Likeness 10 P, Pun
| r,II erds The lmper~onatlon gwen oN 81, 80,
ncd presents a high minded and warm o so'.v
nm mmorou, and amusing IN his ltlltst' iopp,,'
INF right and ano in hiS conduct al supreme "o % %
and Therefore an object Of sympathy aW oSst T.,
| ,errtiouote good will. As an ideal. MI mnsnou
nrrformnucc /, original romantic ana 'l"i a SaanJ
niece Of acting il is strong. sNmmetrl'N an" , =,
",iiy sni,Hrd II redeenls the mass oi nus Ian VI
which IL is embedded. And for ms su'teSs ~, ~
Mansdeld is upder no obligation To anEoou ~. ~ nor
| seW He will probably keep " Beau hrunnen ths
! The star, throughout his present season a' -
| Madison SQUARE Theatre