Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-02-15

cent achievement in their line that is
worthy of note. Others using the same
methoGs have made nearly as great
reputallons; but that has been through
their talent for appropriating to their
own use the creations of greater minds.
In the last decade there has been
no disposition to dispute the fact that
Henry Irving stands supreme and alone
as an artist manager. Viewed merely
as an actor he has neyer ranked with
the English Macready Or the American
Forrest and Booth. But no actor of the
first rank has ever possessed lrvings
comprehension of art in it's 1rOadeSt
significance. The art Of the English
master CT the stage is universal. 1t is
the possession of this quality that en-
ables him 10 make productions of class
ic and historical drama, which, before
his al, enL. were beyond the dreams of
the most ambitious stage director. The
scenes of an Irving production are de-
light tn the painters eye; the inciden-
tai music " which accompanies the action
is composed by some master who has
caught from Irving the spirit of the
play; the costumes, faithful in mate
rial and design, win the admiration alike
of the lover of romance and the stu
dent of history.
Surrounding the genius Of the Ly
ceum thea ter, London---in fact, his com
Iades and cordial co-workers-are most
of the men of the English metropolis
whose names are great in painting,
i'll sculpture, i'll music, IN architecture
lin every branch of art that can con-
tribute of q perfect stage representa-
ton of a noble historical subject. 1t
is a popularity of Irving's tempera-
1rent that he is able to inspire and bind
together in his own service all these ele
ments. Probably the secret of his sue
cess is his invariably generous public
others toward his triumph, and the
eeniality of his bearing toward all with
whom he comes in contact. These
characteristics are nowhere else so pro-
nounced as in his relations will, the
members of his acting company.
Those who have been privileged TO wit
ness a rehearsal of one of Irving's ia
nous productions at the Lyceum the
ater have carried away with them two
especially vivid impressions. They
have observed that the suggestions of
even the least important members of
the cast are courteously considered.
a supernumerary may advance his own
theory of how his spear should be car
ried, for example, and Irving, if he
finds this theory wrong, will take the
trouble to courteously explain why it
is so. In this way the best intelligence
lNnr IF tho CT 1c
into action. Although the presiding
genius gives up great deal of his time
to considering the suggestions of those
who are less expert than himself, he
gains hearty cooperation which more
than compensates him. With all his
close attention to the details of his pro-
ductions-a self-imposed task nearly
as exacting as those of his staff af as
sstants on the stage-Irving neglects
none of the social duties which are the
lor of representative men of art and
letters in the English metropolis. In
this regard he is as interchangeable as our
own Chauncey Depew.
This picture has its reverse in our
country, where for nearly 90 years the
name of Augustin Daily has been acsn-
ciated in the minds of play-goe-s with
all that is most refined and truly artis-
tic in the field cf drama. In some in
stances Daly's results have been tie
equal of Irving S. He has the correct
eye and ear, and the temperament. Of
a born artist. and when he has l.ccn
surrounded by capable people whose
powers were proof against the chill
and uninspiring atmosphere OF his dis
cipline, his high ideals have usually
Leen realized. Instead of radiating in
spiratioE. as Irving does. DAILY absorhs
every artistic quality that has lega!
representation on his pay roll filters