The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-03

he is the favorite upon whom tho American
people will place the crown Of distinction rs
tho leading actor, but it is upon such man
that it will be bestowed. Idon't mind saying
however, that think his claims for thehonor
are very strong, and not unlikely 20 prove
successful. Though an EaglishmGn by birth,
all his professional success has been achieved
on the American stage, and great portion Of
his youth was spent in the United States. Ho
considers himself an American actor, since
he has been thoroughly identified with the
drama in This couutry for the past ten years.
During his recant visit to England he was
criticised as an American, and in his en-
deayor to mako American art successful in
England mo lost a great many thousands OF
| dollars. He attempted to Guido by an Ameri-
can production of a ShaEes9erean drama all
that had been previously dono in England.
How far he succeeded may be gathered from
| the Judgment Of those who saw the produc-
ton in London, where its perfection was
even greater tnan when seen on the boards OF
| Palmor's Theatre in Now York City. To my
mind, no one man is doing more for the ele-
yation Of American dramatic art in all its
phases than Mr.. Mansfield. Fortunately he
Is meeting with substantial encouragement
from tho public, aad You know nothing in
sp,rol an actor 70 gceaier achievement like
! public recognition Of his worth. 1t has not
always been so with Mr.. Mansfield. Re-
Gently tho tide Of public approval has set in
his favor to marked degree. Whero this
tide will carry him It is, OF course, impossible
to predict, Perhaps it will land him high
and dry in tao place left vacant by Mr.. Booth
in the sense OF being the foremost American
actor"
Daniel Fronman, the woll-knowp manager
smiled when the subject oi Booths successor
was mentioned "Tha question" said he
sis, Of course, one Of tn, greatest interest
and importance, but the luck of tine stag,
makes it difficult one upon which to iora
an opinion, much less make prediction. In
another age, l suppose, it might not hay,
! been SO hard to answer But in these times
the theatrical rae. is not always to the swift
The element OF chance has so much to dc
nowadays In bringing people 80 the front in
any line OF erdeayor dependent upon public
| favor. Tle successor OF M Booth may bl
struggling to-day for a mere pittanco in som,
company whore ne is an undcrstudy ioc an
1 actor OF recognized ability Should he &c: t
, chance through the illness OF the principal c
| play the part he las unIcy5tGdied he may
make hit that Will give him further oppor
Muity to suow his ta,en.a. and after that he
may reach the pinnacle C, fame 1T bound
rlis height once attained anything is pos
sib,e. even so his filing the place left vacant
by Mr. Roooi. sag lnnt the honor may b,
waiting scr such one, but, of course, tht
( chances are greatly against it, In all proba
Z bility, if Mr.. Booth is 20 have SUCCESSOR, h,
will De found among those members Of III,
profession who nave already reached & dis
tinsuished place One thing, however, I re
gard Is certain; the leading American TRACE
dian viii not be chosen by the people frou
J among the group Of trjSaiians whom Mr.
Booth oyegshadowed during his brillian
career. The prize will fall in some othe
quarter, probably to some souns man, who
may be regarded as never having been in tn
field before. Most Of our young actors fgh
shy OF tragedy, though and seek rather t.
make themselves valuable to managers il
those lighter roles which the prevailing pub
lie taste makes most profitable, from III