The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-07
IaOSH COGHLAN.

LaOSH COGHLAN.
wave Of success, while others of storing
merit have boon plunged into tho trough
of disaster
Tho success or failure of play Is often
question OF environment A drama
which would be gr0otod with salvos OF ap-
piause In England, France, Germany,
Italy or Austria, for instance might meet
with n cool reception over hero in America
Panywrights OF difforont nntionalities have
their synorasios-espooially Ia thu way
OF dialogue and dramatic climaxes--whioh
meet with various measures of approval or
reprobatiOn. a genius like Shakespeare
or Sardou or Schiller, Of course, can oon-
Quer success in any and every country
wherein cultured people reside. They are
exceptions, however, and exceptions, VIC
all know, only prove rules.
Next, and ohiof Of all, comes the person
alitg of tho artist. Rachel and Ristori
did and Bsrnhardt and Duso oan make
successes Of plays whore all others would
fail. The same will apply to Garriok,
Macrcady Forrest and Booth. The late
Edwin Booth, for instance, was not re-
garded by many competent critics to be
ono whit better actor than his famous
compecrs Edgar Davenport and Lawrence
Barrett, yet Mother OF these distinguished
men could invest "a play with tho interest
or command the success that Booth did
The same rule will apply to less brilliant
luminaries In the dramatic horizon, men
and women who possess q similar mag
netio power, though in minor degree,
to the great stars 1 havo mentioned
No one before the public now that 1 know
of, for example, cnn win tho popular heart
in their inimitablo personatlon of tho parts
nf Eir,bt
rs Joseph Jefferson and Mrs John Drew.
Neither could any other twain as acccptn-
bly, perform tho two Dromios as did Rob-
son and Crane when they were together.
And so, too with Maurice Barrymore. Ho
made the part OF Captain Swift, in tho
drama of TINT name, and other actors lust
rs competent as he failed ignominiously
when they cssayed 1t. 1 might thus go on
indefinitely by way of illustration but
these examples will suffice.
Another point which is given great con-
sidcration in these days is what the critics
call realism" with its accompanying
scenic and mechanical effects. Sarah
Bcrnhardt dospisos 1t and does not hesitate
to exploit her sentiments upon the subject
ut all times and under all circumstances.
Tho great French tragedionno believes that
the art of tho star should alono DO able to
thrill the audience and hold its attention
throughout She thoroughly abhors any
adjunct to art.
On tho other hand, so eminent an actor
as Henry Irving believes implicitly in ev-
cry possible aid to art. The scenic and
mechanical effects In all his plays arc truly
magnificent. In this regard he spares
neither time nor expons0. Ho Is grand
stage manager AS vol as splendid actor
Between two such eminent authorities
upon this widely discussed question will
leave my friends tho public to judge which
is correct in tho positions they have taken.
They can best decide tho point at issue.
1t is understood, assume, that when
epeak of tho drama L do not consider those
crude vehicles OF amusement known as
burlesques or farces as within its grand
domain. Comedy is all right Refined
comedy can and should be classed with
tragedy. 1t is It's happy concomitant, tho
silver lining to the cloud. In almost ev-
cry strong mclodrama wo have plensing
blending of tho two.
DO not mean to cast any ridicuie upon
these exhilnrating bits OF levity 1 have
mentioned. l merely maintain that they
DO not como within tho province OF tho
drama, which really Is q history OF our own
and other times, while these mirthful out
bursts arc but exaggerated and fecting
1anoies OF the hour. They are perfectly
proper in their way, cheerfully admit.
Hhey hghtcn, temporarily at least, onc's
burden of care or sorrow, but in tho sori-
sus business of life, whore man or WON
an wishes to 30 instructed as we'll ns enter
tanned, the legitimate drama ought reailv
only to be considered
1 know, indeed, that many of these
lighter creations are moro sucocssful In r.
financial way than plays of genuine merit.
1 know thnt many people would rather
witness the antics OF tho "Tin Soldier
than study the conflicting emotions of
Jim tho Pcnman." know poor GEORGE
knights heart was broken whom his reollv
fine, pathetic dramn, Baron Rudolph.
proved failure and IN airy little conooit.
'sOver the Garden Wall" saved his ex-
chequor. In tho main, however, believe
that the play of sterling mcgit--tho gront
play " will triumph over all obstacles,
Jorge or small, which stand in it's path.
When people wish to actually be instruct
ed, they will seek the fountain of knowl-
edge They will abandon lcvities. What
burlesque or farce, musical or otherwise.
could for o moment win such triumph
as ''Magda," La Tosca, - Fedora" or