The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-09

The stage lost friend and student and
the public an honest and ambitious actor
by the sudden death Of FRANK MAYO ON
a train en- route from Denver to Omaha
yester day. Few American players have
done more for the best in dramatic art
than kind-hearted, gentle, generous
MAYO. Those who knew him best, loved
him most because he was worthy of the
most ennobling OF passions. Nature in
tended him for the stage and circum-
stances of fortune placed him there. Once
his foot was on the ladder he climbed TO
a place OF high distinction in the rank OF
his fellows and 1t Is not recorded in all
| his onward progress that he left behind
ranking wound or bitterness of any sort
with his associates, while striving to
fulfill his ambition. OF few, very few in
the histrionic profession can as much be
said. His crowniug characteristics were
gentlonoss and generosity.
A glance into his honest eyes provoked
confidence and there is no page in his
long and artistic career blotted with an
unmanly act.
| His merit as player was far above the
average and his contributions to the stage
will form a part OF Its history. ''Davy
Crockett" will always be remem bered as
one of the most lovable of characters. IL
seemed to be part OF Mayo. "Pudd'n-
head Wilson" will ever remain a pleasant
memory because of its simplicity and
sturdy manly strength. II also seemed a
compass almost everything in the dra-
matte field, end he has been a fnvorite In
sublime tragedy as wei. MS delightful
comedy. From Badger in the "Streets
of New York" to massive Macbeth is q
long stride, and Frank Mayo gained pop
ular and critical commendation in every
effort.
Ho was a great favorite i'm this city
where he played numerous engagements,
beginning January 10, 1856, when "The
Streets OF New York; was performed
two weeks at the old Academy of Music.
Since then he made eighteen visits to
Providence, several OF them being Of a
weeks duration. After leaving the Bos-
ton Theater stock company. Of which he
was leading man, he was for some consid-
erable time associated with that sterling
actor f. L. Davenport and that excellent
actress, Lucille Western. 1t was a fine
school for q fine young aeteF, and Mayo
proited much by association with his
eminent stage colleagues. A comprehen-
sive idea of his ambition and versatility
may be conveyed when the characters he
played in this city alone are arrayed.
We give them in sequence: "The Rob-
bers"; "Richard III''; Faein in "Oliver
TWIST; "Hamlet"; Pythias in "Damon
| anu iythhs D Othclio hicueucu |,
"Virginius"; "Ingomar" and "Caude
Melnotte"; "Davy Crockett; "Nor-
deck"; Macbeth; and "Pudd'n head
Wilson,; besidesthe round OF characters
that leading man is called upon to i'm
personate in stock company, which was
regarded as one OF the strongest in the
country.
Mr.. Mayo was lavishly endowed with
natural gifts for the stage. He had a
commanding ana elegant figure, a strik-
ingly handsome face, and voice OF large
range and musical quality. He was what
is termed an old school actor whose good
sense kept him right up to date in stage
craft, and his death has left q vacancy in
the dramatic armament.
Frank Mayo (his original name was
Frank McGuire) was born in Boston
April 10. 1899. lie made his first appear
ance at the American Theater in San
L
nent in 1866, occupying every position
from supernumerary to that OF leading
actor and supporting almost every star
! TINT visited the Pacific slope from 1860
to 1866. Having acquired in this way an
experience not otherwise possible, he left
san Francisco in 1866 and Joined the
Boston Theater company. To the old
theater goer this recollection OF Mayo will
always remain peculiarly bright, because
he was seen so frequently, in his young
days, in characters that fitted his person
ality so perfectly. A couple of years af-
ter this he became a star ana remained a
star TO the hoar OF his death.
4 -.