The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-14
xAssFfELD RoAsTs ATLANTA.
Ina short speech Before the Curtain He
Complains bitterly or tnappreciaton'

Ina short speech Before the Curtain He
Complains Bitterly OF rnsppreciation'
The Atlanta Journal OF last Friday has
the following:
Mr.. Richard Mansfield, who appeared
at the Lyceum last night in a Partisan
Romance. took occasion after the fourth
act. In response to most appre ,iatNe APP
nlause from his audience. TO say some
Yer, harp things about the people OF Al
lanta
IL was after the fourth act OF the ho-
nance. Mr. Mansfield. as Baron Chevria'
had lust died in that wonderful olhihs
scene. the trcmulous hands had SHOOK as
in palsy and ompued the contents OF 'ht
Champagne glass In the trembling myers
over the board. the Chcvrial mad iaileh
dead: when Mr. Mansfield was called pc
fore the curtain and made the speech
which created decided sensation.
Round after roInd Of applause followed
The death scene OF Chevrial. Mr.. Mans
field bowed I'VE times before the audience
but the people called him back again
Il fully appreciate your kindness IN
apDiauding me so much said Mr.
Mansfield. while an actor Is devoted 10
his art. he is. nevertheless. very apprecia-
tive OF applause. ..
will read that Mr. Mansfield has INSURED
the people OF Atlanta. However. you VINO
are here will know what i said.
1T is evident that yOu-ah, the people
Il Atlanta, DO not appreciate the afus-l5
PLAYS which have taken so much care 10
produce. Last night ] produced pay
which / studied during my recent COW -
lcsccnce with great care so mat X shouiu
DC properly presented before the puphc'
I.f "a %
here AT Atlanta, but the total receipts
from my three performances would not
compensate the raising of the curtain III
81 the FIRST play.
Il understand that my frieno, hehIg
Irving. will shortly come TO Atlanta, ana
presume that he Will carry away great
deal Of your money. do not know Wheh
j shall come 10 Atlanta again, II come
al all IL Is evident that you, the people
Of Atlanta. do not appreciate the plays
which / have gone TO 50 much expense
and trouble TO present 10 you. | don't
know that 7 shall come back 10 Atlanta
again
II aid not intend. when you 80 kindly
called me before the curtain, TO make
much OF a speech died In the last act
and my wife will die In the next think
she is in a hurry to get through with IL.
After this remarkable speech a flutter
some laughter and considerable applause
The speech was delivered with the drawl
that Mr. Mansfield affects off the stage,
and with every gesture of depreciation.
Mr.. Mansfield and his company left At
Ianta early this morning 70 hll an engage
ment az Selma, Alabama.
The journal comments edltorially an
the Incidents as follows:
II may not have been in good taste for
pf IN
audience last night his wrath at the lack
Of popular appreciation Of his efforts on
the stage. but II must be admitted that
there is much justice I'm his structures
Mr.. Mansfield is an artist and he knows
IL. He has a high appreciation OF his own
genius and accomplishments, but ii is not
higher than that of intelligent and dis
eliminating persons who have seen his adj
Tnirable representations.
Mr. Mansfield Is unique figure on the
American stage. We have no actor who
IS his equal either in versatility or nnish.
Whatever he does comes very near to the
mark of perfection, and II is a reflection
upon the popular taste and a regretable
fact that cheap actors appear in Atlanta
and other ciSes and play TO standing
room only" houses while such an actor az
Mr. Mansfield as "Rodion. the Student,
"Beau Brummel" and Baron Chovr@,'
looks upon a chilling array Of empty
chairs II we do not put a premium on
good acting we shall have even less of II
than we get now. and. I'm the name of
mercy. we have now little enough or
course the public has a right 10 approve
and patronize Just the kind OF actors IT
likes. but some OF the popular stage favor
ties make the intelligent spectator very
tired
1t is sad TO think what the stage would
he when It could present no bet
te~ OF tragedy than Tom Kecne,
no comedian OF higher order than Ro-
land Reed and no romantic 60 actor
superior TO Jimmy O'Neil.
May we long be spared such terrible
experience, There was much sense and
Justice I'm what Mr.. Mansfield said last
night.