The times., 1898-12-18

might have been engaged for his part
without jeopardizing the profits OF the
tour TO any great extent
The idea of placing a mere boy of small
experience in a role that has received the
attention OF the greatest ACTORS .oa the
English speaking stage is iacontest:hIy
open to criticism. Willi1m Winter Jef;er-
son cannot be blamed for this He was
recalled from the road TO assume the
part and did as he was told. Further
more. as those who attended the perfor-
mances of last years Columbia Steck
Company know, young Jefferson Is
bright, energetic fellow of great promise
In time he may easily be expected to ri
val his father. But at present ne cannot
hope for unmitigated praise until he tries
something at least a trifie less preten-
I tious than Bob Acres in THE Rivals"
Some little time ago the writer attended
a rehearsal of one of this seasons sur
cesses in New York and was much
amused at the manner in which the play
ers insisted upon certain details and fer
malities in their performances. BY the
eXigencies of the piece one Of these ac-
tors was required to stand still a moment
or so without speaking or in any way
helping the movement of the drama
To this he objected on the ground that
1t was impossible for performer to drop
out of his work so completely without
incurring the rldicule of his audience All
this came to mind few nights ago when
both the thespian and the critic attended
| presentation of THE Sign of the
Cross" There is scene in the third act
or this Offering in which Mercia is fore
ed into the company of a score of Mar
Gus drunken friends. She refuses TO no.
tice them and going to another end of
the apartment holds herself completely
aloof from her tormentors. During this
incident Irene Rookie. who assumed the
role Of Mercia. faced the spectators in
front" for something over ten minutes
"a frightfully long time in the stage cal
| lendar. During this period she neither
| spoke nor moved showing no emotion
| whatever and betrayinS no interest in
her surroundings.
The nightly ordeal must be trying one.
but Miss Rookie passes it with admirable
ease. tact and finish. From first to last
she is imperturbable. and from first TO
| last the audience totally ignores the cry
| ing, laughing. frenzied mob on the other
| side of the stage that IL may keep its
eyes on her Never for an instant does
she cease to be the center of interest, and
never does she lose her claim on the atten-
ton OF the house. This is not because OF
the story's suspense. for everyone knows
in an instant what Mercia is about to do.
but 1t is a tribute 10 the magnetism and
self-command Of the English actress. II
any player would like to have an object
lesson in the power and dramatic strength
of repOse he is recommended to see The
Sign of the Cross while Miss Rookie is
still member of its cast.
The organization seen here last week in
! "A Stranger in a Strange Land was an
| excellent one and no member of the COM
ps-by deserved more credit than WI am
Ranous, whose work in the tile role
showed skill and talent. But Mr. Ra-
nous has still few things to learn about
! the habits of the American Indian and
he had better begin acquiring them Il he
expects to continue in the part Some of
these things would not only add greatly
TO the correctness of the portrayal but to
\ its humor. In the first place, Mr. Ra-
nous long-stepping walk is about as
much Ike that Of the typical savage as
is that-of a kangaroo or an ostrich
Again, he wears many things rever he
fore heard of in connection with tie
toilet Of an Indian. and in the third p,acs
his face has altogether too much express
sion for that of noble red man. The
average Indian is as immobi.e as a stat
ue-certainly he would not be provoked
into lifting his brows and opening lis
mouth on receiving so usual an attention
as a kick. Furthermore the amusing
qualities of this proceeding in the present
case would be greatly enhanced by u
stOlid reception OF the abuse. Mr.. Ra-
nous would do well to think these
changes over and see if ne does not be-
lieve that they might improve his ia-
personation.