The herald., 1896-07-05
IA

blunder, one of those mistakes anti, de-
spite every precaution, will happen at
times, even in print shop. is RESPONSE
BILE for the omission. The writer mas
known Mr. John Drew from in front or
the footlights for the past twenty years,
and to have known him thus was TO
admire him and the company with which
he was invariebly surrounded. The in
advertent error, for such it was is Pc
cun1iarly unfortunate, for it is well
within reason to say that no greater
exemplars of the theatrical art than Mr.
Drew and Miss Adams and the com
pany Of players which support them
have been seen in this city. This brief
but honest explanation OF a mlseraple
omission is rendered to Mr. John Drew
and Miss Maud Adams, players Mr.. sam
Meyers, their acting manager, and Mr..
H. c. Wyatt, themanager of the Los
Angeles theater. Following is the crit
icism referred to:
Some plays are like ,,-o edged edge,
dn the hands of tyros The
disastrous in the hands of tyros. The
comedy, Squire of Danes, is of that ilk,
and If its exploitation were entrusted
to players of lower caliber than the
Drew's company it would be hazard
Gus experiment, for it is work in which
the lights and shadows of the human
soul play f1tfully in forensic flashes, the
sum and essence of comedy that is pune
tuated by tears. But the serious pur-
pose, the smiling play of humor are so
nicely poised, so delicately accentuated,
as to call for the consummate epiphany
of mastery stage art There is more
depth and purpose between the lines of
A Squire of Danes than will be found
in most plays, and the moral is so craft
fly woven in clever ratiocinations that
while seemingly as delicate as the re-
straints of gossamer web in impressing
ones fancy, yet when the curtain falls
they have all the strength of iron bands
in holding the audience captive to the
purpose of the play and players.
Another strong unit of value in the
play is in the admirable differentiation
of the characters involved; as pre-
sented by Mr.. Drew and his company,
they are all as rounded and clean cut as
a series of intaglios from the hand of
. Benvenuto Cellini. Mr., John Drew as the
Squire of Danes pictured a delightful
type of young man-chivalrc. earnest,
insouciant, withal cynical to a degree.
the best of men, and the true friend of
woman in distress. The picture was
most admirably well sustained; the
actor was merged in the grace of the
gentleman, and the grace of the gentle
man gave the actor the superb force
of courtly realism. The true depths
of Mr.. Drew's wholesome comedy finds
most adequate expression in this mper-
that may be said even by optimists of
Mr.. Drew's rising prominence and great
ness as master of comedy.
Maud Adams as Mrs. Dennant, a wom-
an just caught in the outer circles of the
maelstrom of emotion and passion, gave
a wondrous womanly revelation of a
most difficult and eXacting role and the
test of her plastic powers as a comedi-
enne seriously taken was crucial and
convincing. Miss Adams proved her
art. Miss Barrymore as Miss Nugget
son, the brusque true hearted million
airess, was surprisingly good: in fact,
she played the part with a finish and
nicely of shading that made a most
fascinating impression. There was
something in her manner and carriage
last night that most strangely suggest
ed her mother the gifted George Drew
now with the angels Truly the daugh-
ter showed herself a Drew-most potent
commentator. Harry Harwood played
Professor Dowle with fine purpose. He
made the role stand out with forceful
individuality, strongly suggesting the
thought that this gentleman could follow
the late Frank Mayo in his last char
acterization. Mr. Frank Lamb as Lord
Chetland likewise gave a strongly in
dividualized presentment, luminous with
fine vein of comedy. Mr.. Baker and
Mr.. Byron were notably good, and An
ME Irish, with a most beautiful stage
presence, was queenly and captivating
as Mrs. Dowle. Miss Gladys Wallis as
the sentimental young Miss Elsie, was
overpoweringly funny and true to the
line. Taken all in all it was a very
mastery performance.
Angelenos showed their appreciation
of John Drew and his clever company
last week by filling the Los Angeles the
ater to the doors every evening during
the engagement. Strange to say. there
was not one dissentient voice as t. the
merit of either the star his leading lady
the cleverness of the plays or the eX-
cellence of the company Society turn
ed out in force, and the many beautfu
women in their gay gowns against the
white and gold background of the house
made an alluring spectacle. Various
were the motives that caused the as.
sembling together of those audiences
Many there were who went because
John Drew has been recognized as so.
ciety favorite for many moons. anC
they felt that to be in the swim they
must go and see him or else feel left ou
In the cold at the next society function
where his name would be sure to be {
topic of conversation. Even that clas.
of persons who regulates it!
smile or frown in accordance with tina
displayed upon the countenance of Nine
Richie, who holds the thread of society
destinies in her hand like the Parcae o
old, this class of persons was openl.
amused And why not? Was not Nine
Richie herself convulsed with laughter
And when the queen smiles may no
her loyal subjects make merry?
Many there were also who went to SCI
Mr.. Drew, because of his reputation o
being the glass of fashion and the molC
of form" to those to whom the distinc
tion of being we'll dressed is ali import
ant. They went to get pointers in max
ing themselves irresistible. Let us hop,
they succeeded. If they only impibeC
the truth set plainly before them, tha
in order to get the proper results from
the best work of a tailor you must pu
gentleman inside of it, then there i
some hope that Mr.. Drew has not live
up to his reputation of being the bes
dressed man in New York for nothing
Others there were among the audience
d-timers," those who have bee
amused and delighted for many year
by that wonderful comedienne, MI
Drews mother and they came to Sc
the mothers talent showing forth agai
in the son. Contrary to the general OF
der of things, they were not disappont
ed "It does seem wonderful said on
old gentleman, that so much hume
should be centered in one family. And
with a savage glance at a society you'll
intrenched behind high collar to who's
inanities he had been subjected betwee
the acts, "there is such a great lack
humor in the world, tool" Evidently h
thought with Kipling's Mrs. Hanksbe
that a well educated sense of hume