Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-17

The engagements OF Clay Clement In
Omaha are always too short to fulfill the
desires Of his friends who have fallen hope
essly in love with that flower of German
chiyalry the Baron Franz Victor Won EIo-
henstauffen, and wish to see as much OF
him Gs possible. 1t is probable. however,
that the engagements are quite long enough
for Mir Clement himself, in view of the fact
that they are among the least profitable
financially that he plays anywhere. Just
why II is that this really admirable artist
fails of more general appreciation in Omaha
is not easy to understand. Those who go
to see him. half filling the house, wax en-
thusastic before they leave, and probably
20 again, and very likely tell their friends
that a good thing is at hand. But the audi
ences remain substantially the same in size,
or only grow at a rate which would have
to be maintained beyond the span of Mr..
Clements probable long life to bring the
business to a remunerative standard.
The refined and artstically beautiful per-
formance OF Mr. Clement in his own play,
"The New Dominion" has been often cele-
brated in these columns Renewed famili-
arty with 1t only strengthens the conviction
that this Is among the most worthy oner-
ings which the American stage holds at
present. Last night Mr.. Clement dropped
presented, for the first time in Omaha, his
conception OF the consclence-haunted burgo-
master Matthias, In THE Bells"
1t is held by many that this gruesome
study of morbid psychology has no legiti-
mate place on the stage and no valid eXcrae
for continued being. Such conclusion Is
not borne out by facts. Henry Irving has
established the play in position which
1t will hold until his name is no longer
connected with it, and surely II VIII not
be without excuse for keeping the boards
so long as Mr.. Clement plays Matthias with
the force and dignity which characterize his
efforts at present. But 1t is not thing
which the majority of the theater-going
public wants to see and 1t Is probable that
beyond demonstrating a certain amount OF
versatility in Mr.. Clement it will confer
but small benefit either on him or on the
public. AS Baron Hohenstauffen he Is so
good that there is none better He is unique
after his kind. AS Matthias big, robust,
phlegmatic, his performance good as 1t un-
questionably is, and abounding in flashes OF
real genius, yet as whole is not what II
he had done nothing else would stamp him
as an actor of transcendant ability. 1t is all
apparently a matter of temperament. Mr..
Clement would make a very bad impression
in old women's parts, although he has played
them with some degree OF success at an
earliep period of his career; he is a Matthias
which dozen others could be as well; and
he is a Baron Hohenstauffen which no one
else could be at all.
His company, on the contrary, well as 1t
is adapted to the needs of THE New Do
minion," is even more advantageously cast
in "The Bells" There Is no part in the
latter play for Miss Kenwyn, which is one
more decided objection to 1t. But most of
the others have roles entirely congenial to
them which they fill with much credit to
themselves and pleasure to the audience.
Miss Bainbridge is a most attractive pic
ture in the tawny hair OF Annette, and
Miss Gardner invests the soubrette part OF
Sozel with an Importance quite new to 1t,
and as she plays it, altogether refreshing. Mr..
Macy Is a manly and handsome Christian,
and Messrs. Craig and Berry, as Walter and
Hans, supply the greater part of the comedy
business which in Mr. Clements presenta-
tion is fcstGred and strengthened and used
as an efficient foil to the somber develop
ment of the main story. Mr.. Berry in par
ticular exhibits makeup that is not far
short of a masterpiece. Mr.. Mack read the
Judges lines with excellent effect.
The scenic investiture of Mr.. Clements
production of "The Bells" is all that could
be desired, the court room vision being
especially realistic and the interior sets well
conceived and admirably executed.
In taking leave of Mr. Clement for the
third time one does not venture to promise
him adequate business on the occasion OF
his next return; but one hopes that return
may not be long deferred And If in his
wisdom he shall decide to leave poor Ma
thias to his remorse and to the hands OF
others, there are many hereabouts who will
not repine IL so be a certain botanizing
baron is yet spared to them in the perfection
of his lovable character.
The Creighton theater orchestra, under the
always efficient leadership of Franz Adel-
mann, will present the following program
at both performances today and during the
Emily Bancker engagement:
Overture-Raymond ................ Thomas
Waltz-Dream of the Ocean. .Gung'l
Echoes from the Metropolitan Opera
a. At Night adaglo; b. BY the Brook, al
legro vivace C. Prayer, adagio; d. The
March-EIn Hoch dem Baron Won Ho-
henstauften ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Adelmann
Prof. John Reynolds has been a familiar
figure in all the larger communities of this
country for years. He is not unknown in
Omaha, having appeared here at intervals
time out Of mind, Those who have felt the
spell of the strange influence which he
eXerts over certain minds tell marvellous
stories of their sensations while the power
is on them, but they do yet more marvellous
things at such times. in the eyes of all
men, and their actions speak louder than
their words. Others including the greater
part of the public-for he does not claim
to be able to influence more than one in ten
of the common run of humanity-when they
look at him see a very little man of vigorous
middle age, whose gray eyes, ordinary mild
and kindly, can upon occasion take on
mcSt ominous mien and bore like gimets
into soul not glorifed by a will strong
enough to resist their encroachments
Prof. Reynolds will continue his demon
strations at Creighton hall all this week.
Coming Events.
Hal Reid's latest play, Human
Hearts" is to be presented at Boyds
for four nights, commencing with a matinee
today.
The play has been one of the seasons ar
tstic as well as financial successes. The
production is direct from Mr.. Miners New
York theater, and the same care has been
taken in organizing the Human Hearts"
company as is characteristic with all of MIR.
Miners attractions. A glance at the list
of artists with the company is a sufficient
Of what may be expected The
cast includes Hal Reid. the author, Bertha
Bell Westbrook. Walter G. Horton, Edward
o. Risley, William II. Smedley, Charles For
roster, Gerard Anderson, Herbert Prior
Efie Pearl, Nellie Maskell Hope Forester
Little Ellis and Edwin Smedley.
The story OF "a Divorce Cure" the new
comedy in which Emily Bancker will be
seen at the Creighton for four nights, com
mencing with a popular price matinee to-