The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-11
A Great Character Actor.

The leading comedy role in "The Gay
Parisiansn is assumed by W. j. Fergu-
son, who is probably recognized as the
best delineator OF character roles, IN
which a distinct type of man is present.
ed. He has not been seen in this city
since the first year OF Mansield's sue
cess in "Beau Brummel," when be APP
peared as Mortimer, the valet Throughout
Mr.. Ferguson's stage career lie has been
creator, and not follower. lie ranks
among the few men on the stage who
could be classed not only as good actors,
but as artists. His Interpretation OF the
parts assigned him has always been con-
sidered so perfect that whoever followed
him has invariably made up and acted to
he as near like Ferguson as possible. In
no two characters has he ever given q
similar rendition.
1t is due to this fact that he has not
been seen outside of New York for sew
eral years; Manager Charles Frohman has
needed his services in creating important
roles in various new productions. After
he has stamped the individuality on the
part Manager Frohman has Ueen able TO
secure Others, who were good actors, TO
follow him, and then Ferguson would be
assigned to another new role. In recent
years, among the many parts in which
he has mde distinct hits, might be men
toned the detective in "Jim, the PEN
man." Spettigue in "Charley's Aunt, )"
and Captain Dixon i'm "The Fatal Card"
From "Tne Fatal Card" he made wide
shift to the comedy role OF Pinglet,
which he assumes IN 1.-The Gay Paris
ians,n and the utter dissimilarity of these
two characters is striking instance of
the great scope of this mans art. Cap
tain Dixon is a murderous, thieving and
cowardly cur. On the other hand, Pin
glet is an elderly, harmless, gay individu-
nj, who would like to tie intriguing and
devilish, 90 far as the fair sex Is concern
ed, II he only knew how.
Ferguson's stage career mad a decided-
ly dramatic beginning. He was first as
signed speaking part on the night OF
Llncoln's assassination, and rang down
the curtain on that memorable occasio ion.
AT the time he was call boy in Ford's old
theater. The juvenile man was taken
suddenly i'll, and at the last moment
Ferguson, then mere boy, was told to-
play the part. The attraction was Laura
Keene, in our american Cousin" She
was fearful the boy might become mud
died in his lines, and just before his
time to go on she was giving him an i'm
promptu rehearsal in the wings. Sud-
denly shot rang out, man was seen TO
leap from an upper box, and some one
called out: ''Ring down, Ferguson"
and the great character actor rang down
the curtain on the last performance ever
given in Ford's old rheater.
Ferguson does not claim TO be what is
frequently termed ''naturat' actor,
though his admirers often refer to how
easily he seems to adapt himself to the
different characters. He, himself, how
ever, insists that his portrayal of char
acter Is the result OF close study of human
nature, and widespread observation. The
question Is frequently asked why he is
not starr The answer TO this he furn-
ished himself, by modestly saying that il
he is entitled to rank as n star the recog-
nition OF the public makes him so, and to
print his name in large type is un-
necessary.