The times., 1899-02-28
AT THE THEATRES.
CoIumbin-"Joe Hurst. Gentleman

CoIumbin-"Joc Hurst, Gentleman"
The fancy blackensd line that divides
those who wear the workman's cap and
those who don the gentleman's hat in this
world has always been a source of dis
cussicn as fertile as that concerning the
rights and wrongs of the soldiers inside
the blue and the wrongs and rights OF the
fighters who were proud Of the gray.
Charles Dickens was amCng the first of
the writers to prove that coats and char
acters are sometimes sadly mixed, William
ThaCkeray was not above confessns that
fine feathers do not make fine birds,
certain Miss Mulock devoted a whole book
to establishing the excellence of soul that
belonged to common John Halifax, and last
night at the Columbia Theatre that clev-
crest of actors. Digby Bell, spent three
hours in exhibiting all sides of Frances
Hodgson Burnett's attempt at demonstra-
ton, Joe Hurst Gentleman"
Mrs. Burnetts present lecture takes the
form of play. and. after looking it over
carefully and making allowances for the
fact that this is the first city in which
it has been produced, one is compelled to
announce that it is not altogether a good
play. The authoress and the actors who
interpret her seem to have known much
too little of the ima ginary beings they were
endeavoring to realize for successful
PRONUNCIATION of the contemplated object
lessen, while the former parsonage is still
so ignorant of the art of the stage" that
she has merely spoiled a very good story
in her effort to give it dramatic form.
Just as the novelist has dignified her ere
ations merely by furnishing them with
complete set of Laura Jean I.ibbey
names and as their Interpreters have tried
to materialize her characters by making
them stiff and artificial-so she has fitted
out one OF the most beautiful and poetic
plots possible with lines that might be
attached to a Bowery hair raiser. episodes
of the most stilted sCrt. and Il bluntness
that in its lack of suggestion proves fatal
to any other than maudln effect
The fundamental issue used in Joe
Hurst" is one of unique and powerful merit
and should go toward forming the ground
work of a triumph when shorn of its pres
ent unsightly covering. Hurst is wax
figure Snowman of humble birth and breed
ing. who has been blessed with wife not
unlike Copperfields Dora. This little
woman, whose greatest desire was always
TO be ''lody.' has died. leaving her hus-
band daughter, whom he resolves to edu-
cate as her mother would have had her
educated. Accordingly he sends her away
before she is old enough to know him and
keeps her away generously and lovingly
until her school years have been finished,
when he enlists the services of nObleman
whose life he has saved 10 prepare royal
welcome for my girl But when the
young lady arrives accompanied By gem
tleman who has grown to care for her.
she takes Joe for servant-IOe. who had
never thought of such a misfortune, and
who lives up 10 his new rank until he
sees that he is 10 stand between the daugh-
ter and her lover. and who then hides him
Spi 81 he b1f yyb bp
learns the truth it is only with the great
est difficulty that she finds him. And then
the gentleman, who proves to be nephew
of the Sir Arthur whom Hurst had rescued,
determines that he will marry the woman
TO whom his heart has gone and every
thing ends pleasantly and happily.
This is the story, and it is so productive
that often rich flashes of humor and pretty
bits of sentiment and delightful notes of
pathos are evolved from it despite the
worst endeavors of Mrs. Burnett. 1t is a
romance that could be hinted at better
than related. and which is deeply injured
when Joe tells people how he has suffered
for his child, when the child informs the
audience how fond she is of Joe, and when
everyone else proceeds TO give his or her
history biography. and key to the emo
tions corresponding instead of permitting
those in front to idealize over human be-
ings; not forcing them 10 accept OIL hand
poker backed and self conscious martyrs.
Rigid phrases and unCompromisingly con-
yentional episodes have nothing 10 do with
such tale-a tale the existence of which
should be known by strong and poeti
ciZed shadow instead of a rugged and
ragged reality.
Digby Bell-who has grown Strangely
like Francis Wilson-gives an Intelligent
and artistic rendering of the title role
but he is not convincing and his portrayal
lacks the fine touches Of color that made
his Doctor Willow so charming. Truth
is that Mr.. Bell is so real a gentleman
that he cannot give his assumption even
the slight strain of roughness necessary
to the part He seems foreign in his lines
and as much at home in the cockney dia-
lect as a mouse might be in a trap. Alto
gether his impersonation is creditahle but
not praiseworthy.
The cast gives one the impression that It
suffers severely in trying to appear refined
and intelligent and civilized. Albert G.
Deltwyn is the nobleman, and he reads his
speeches with strained effect that should
make them fine but does not. II. Gittus
Lonsdale appears as the lover, and a
wretchedly ill-at-ease one he is: Louise
Rial plays noblewoman and realizes it 50
much that she is about as unreal as a
nightmare and Charles Dibdin Pitt keeps
his knees doubled up and his feet perform
ing aerial gymnastics in orderto give the
impression that he is a rascally hair
dresser. Three wonderfully able people are
Laura Joyce Bell. whose study Of nm old
English woman is simply perfect Edward
McWade. vino makes an excellent assistant
to Joe. and Caroline Keeler. whose work in
the role Of the daughter is delightful
Margaret Dale Owen will also be good
when she grows more used to her dialect
while Charles Favor. Henry Robinson, and
Joseph Galton are adequate to the littlg
they have TO do.