The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-05
AMUSEME NTS.
Nat Goodwin in "a Gold Mine"

Nat Goodwin in "a Gold Mime"
"a Gold Mine" commands some attention be-
cause il Is another ard one of the latest at
tempts of American playwrights to create an
American drama. Though the scene il in Lon
don the principal parsonage is an American, the
color and spirit of the piece are altogether Amer
lean, and the performers in this production of
the work are Americans. 1t 10 thus properly
classed as an addition to the repertory which
embraces rip Van Winkle," "The Almighty
Dollar. "The Gilded Age,'' shenandoah" and
alabama" AS such it must be considered,
and Mr.. Goodwin, who plays the leading part
must take rank by tho side of such comedians as
jefferson. Florence, Robson and Crane, and
John I. Raymond. The crowning merit of "a
Gold Nine consists III Its presentation of a
typical American. who is real flesh and blood
who neither wears pair OF trousers made out
of an American flag nor goes roaring about that
he will whip creation; who speaks his mother
tongue without twang and with decent regard
for Lndley Murray; who does not call
young ladies "old gall nor ask strangers
to liquor up; who does not wear his hat in
drawing-rooms nor his heels on dining tables:
who, in word in every situation in life be-
HAYES himself as quiet, well-bred gentleman
not, in this respect, to be distinguished from a
gentleman who is English or French, or Italian
or Russian. That kind OF an American is not
often met with on the stage. AS the summer
traveller on the Rhine or the boulevards wonders
to those CHASTITY men in long black coats and
satin waistcoats, and those grim females in
dresses which have evidently served as holsters
at home, who are pointed out as travelling
Americans, so the theater goer is lost in amaze
ment when an American appears in a modern
comedy, and he cannot for the life of him
imagine where the playwright foundlhis model
A notion is gaining ground that everyday
American life may afford as good themes for
high comedy as the vicissitudes of Life in
Paris or London. 1t is the opinion of many
whose views are entitled to respect that a proper
cultivation OF the art of paywriting in this
country would enable Americans to win tri
umphs in that branch of letters not inferior to
those which they have achieved in his
tory, biography, science, poetry and
travels That hope is encouraged when
ever play like "a Gold Nine" is
produced and played by an actor of power and
taste ike Nat Goodwin. national drama cam
not spring up all at once, as Minerva sprang
from the head of Jove. 1t is the slow growth of
time. There were many dull English play
wrights before Shakespeare. Publishers in this
country produced lots of doggerel before Long
fellow. But had il not been for the duh plays
OF Marlowe we might have had no Shakespeare,
and, but for Joel Barlow, Longfellow's appear
ance might have been delayed Tor a long time.
Every piece like Shenandoah" "Alabama'' and
"a Gold 81 inc" draws nearer to the produc-
ton oil the great American drama OF the future.
Meanwhile il is but fair to say that "a Gold
Mine" is lively, sparkling piece, fun of senti-
ment aud humor, and tina, it is exceedingly
well done by Mr. Nat Goodwin. The appear
Ance of Mr. Goodwin tonight at the Seattle OPP
era house is already an assured success Seats
are on sale At HanSen's