Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-03-01
THEATRICAL TOPICS
Robert sfantsil IA ~Fhs corsicaa
Erothefs" AZ Powers.
RaEi THIS sEEl As JOSEPHINE
sEaak a Ffasas in tss - ssG~xa asis-
arsalas a. ftssissssssa's ss~si&ttr
Biu - osaaz a. sAs4sA' - tsltalp ss.
"a Forthcoming Aetfsegi1As

Ae4.sl.ti4 b41taef1 AAs EfgI2Ht Gus
D. PARIS, frssa fFom tie pen II
Aisxandsf Dumas SIS. IFs prot act.0sl
Saa received vie favor. aad i had 4
run. The ate Charles tseaseF gas Ia
ths or ginal cast ard 10 finally brought
sac play ~ ths country, ana :. eas
generously received. snich faet shows
taat be Wa sn actor Of strong person
atty. as vel as posse.soE OF maggie
t.sln o. tne persuasive and far reaeh-
M quality. Win the death or Fechtsr.
tie play passed intJ fOrgetfU.ness. or
rather Was sheived ami las received
no attention. from any actor IA recent
years except Mr.. irving. whose fame
and popularity would command at
tentlon 70 4Ay dramatic revival, no
matter how musty. 0r how ineompatl-
Die with the advance IA taste aad
dramatic art.
"Ihe CoFsican Brothers" Is what we
would in modern paFlanee call ono
part play To the modern audience is
legend IS c.assed among the archives
q a supeTst.gi0us thought, aad a
romanciag literature which, vas
created 20 ave and fr.ghten. il s
b4ided upon no actual fact, and there
Is nothing IA Mr.. Mantells revival Of il
that commands respect. unless Il ex-
cites that admiration tempered with
mercy. with waich We view q relic
winch $ the offspring of a deIuded
ancient. II = a sad and supernatural
play. there IS nothing IN il 10 tighten or
relieve the montony OF melancholy.
The five acts are draped 10 a crepe of
suffering and sorrow aud rs language
aud the appre hensiOu of the SIamese
Fabian ana LOUIS has the uiOurnful
sound OF drge. There IL a CRYING
wall Tor the return of the romantic
drama. There IS feast awaiting the
coming OF a production OF the
legitimate drama, which will be com
piete IN all ITS parts and IN which the
star actor snail not subordinate, the
whole plot aud command all of the
effective points as does money king
who mOnopOlizes the stock market.
There IS a yearning for a return 10
custom OF stock DAYS when the humblest
actor shall have the privilege of doing
hls best, and holding his advantage, II
lie make 10, IN the smallest part. That
time does not come within the range
OF prophecy 50 long as we have the
combinations" and stars are so selfish
and grasplng rs 70 sacrifice art for per-
sonsl gam.
liz IS therefore courageous in Mantell
10 give ''Ihe COrslcan Brothers," lie
was justified IN the fact that ms talent
and commanding presence are sufficient
70 mold the interest and cOnfine the
sympathy 10 Louis and Fabian. He IS
admirably qualified for this dual role.
Yet when Mr.. Mantcll presents this
play, there IS reason for the suspicion
that he IS doing II to advance himself
while he delays art. IL is not IN the
elaborate understanding of the term, j
production.
1t IS Mantell.
In doing this he does not grow in his
art. He does not display that careful
ness, nor that devotion with which can
be associated the idea OF love for the
drama, beyond the opportunity and
promise of financial emolument. In
this the managerial head, generally
speaking, is more to blame than the
actor. Last night we hoped for a pro-
ducton. out like farce comedy and
negro MINISTRIES, IL was evident that all
care for correct details, for proper fur
nishings were overlooked. aud the im-
petus that controlled was money get
ting. Thus II u the true artist is pros
ttuted. Thus u IS the gifted painter,
ignorant of his possibilities OF develop
ment, will be content To paint score of
cheap dsubs a day. while year or two
IN the school of art would give nm a
place IN the salon, aud position and
fame where he would reap fortune as
n recognized genius.
Mr.. Mantell has been promoted rap
idly, and has hosts of friends and many
sincere admirers who swear by him.
This laudauon = not uudeseTved, for
there are scarcely two other actors in
America VINO can be- mentioned with
him. when their adaptabllity to roman
tic parts IL in question. His personality
- really charming. and ms magnetism
impresses and entOrces respect and
commands enthusiasm. With such
powers "a these, an actor has thosa
superior qualities which will surely in
sure personal sucCess-even il he dis
tort the pest of plays and throw tradi-
dition 20 the dogs. He has a voice OF
great range. capable of tenderness. OF
violence; IN fact, hrs elocGtion Is 81
good that he can touch and play upon
almost every sense of our emotions
with telling effect. It - this gift. CON
hined with q manly and heroic pres
euce, that has given him the power 10
reign unchallenged ut this day, the
peer Of any actor ~ what Is classified
as the romantic school.
He will never ito e playing one night
stands. Dozens OK better plays. tha4arg
weighted down Win the dust 0f neglect,
can be resurreCted, and there q reason
80 believe that Mr.. Mautell could sue.
ceed. and there Is also reason for the
thought that there Is an intelligent con.
stituencv which VIII gladly pay tribute
90 the reproduction Of those dramas
for which W. remember kean Mac.
ready and Che elder Booth.
To BE- brief TeEarding the play
last night. the attempt as far a.
scenery goes was respectable bot not
gorgeous. The Compsnv did not sp-
pear A. 70 good advantage rs IN Mon.
bars the night previcls, much more
thrilling and interesting play. Marx
Price As VI. Benaud dispiaved his usual
e8rnestness. and Mss BeArpns 4.
Emilie. lacked m sn1O0thnsss. Her ele
si0cunon : weak and shows a want al
firmuess and courage IN utterancr
Wien s1ca expression i requi red
The audience was much larger than
the preceding evening. hat "a already