The daily morning journal and courier., 1899-04-21
MANsFIELD IN "OYRANO."

|
 Richard Mansfield, who is undoubted-
 ly one of the most distinguished English
 speaking actors living and in the minds
 of many the best hope for serious 'dra-
 ma among American actors, appeared
 at the Hyperion theater last evening in
 Edmond Rostands famous play "Cyra-
 ano de Bergerac." It was the most inn
 portant histronic event of the year, and
 the local public showed it's appreciation
 of G. B. Bunnel's enterprise by crowd
 ing the theater to it's utmost capacity
 Every seat in the theater was sold in
 advance and there was numerous host
 who bravey stood throughout the per-
 formance It was a wonderfully
 smart" assemblage, and the house pre-
 sented fine appearance. There was a
 great deal of applause and evidence of
 genuine enthusiasm for MT. Mansfield's s
 fine performance and for the exception
 ally fine production of the piece.
 "Cyrano de Bergerac" was the dra
 matic sensation of last year. Coquein's
 success in the piece was hailed as the
 climax of his career, and the fame of
 the piece spread abroad. The Parisian
 critics quite lost their heads over Ros-
 tand and declared him a genius of the | first rank Foreign actors and mana
 gers made haste to purchase the rights of production. When it was learned
 that Richard Mansfield had secured the | rights for America students of the dra-
 ma were delighted because they felt as- sured that the piece would receive artis- tic and conscientious treatment. Sir
 Henry Irving purchased the English
 privileges, but has since sold them to Charles Wyndham. The piece has been
 translated and has proved a success in
 Germany. Both in Paris and America
 the popularity and skill of the imper- senators of "Cyrano" have been such potent features in the success of the play that it becomes a difficult matter to pronounce judgment of the piece it. self. By the impersonator of the role in this country MT. Mansfield is of course referred to, for, although Angus tin Daly produced the play in a dis torted version, it did not prove success with his company and did not assume a permanent place in the repertory of his company. The opinions of the critics seem to agree, now that the first ecsta- sy over the discovery of real genius has somewhat subsded, that the work is more charming than great, that the lit- erary style is rare and distinctive and that it presents excellent opportunities to an actor, but that it lacks the virile and enduring qualities of true great | ness But they all agree that Rostand I is promising figure among the present day dramatists, and whatever he does in the future will be of interest and pos sibly of permanent importance. He has written a play which makes Its ap- peal to the love of romance that is ever existing in the great human heart. The ] character of "Cyrano" is unique, but how far it is Rostand's creation and how far Coquelins unequalled theatric | skill it is difficult to say
 The part of Cyrano, as the writer understands it, is not exactly suited to Mansfield ' He has the experience or long years and great natural gifts, and he makes a great performance of "Cy- rano." But he is heavy in the first act and his humor is cynical and sar- donic. rather than spirited and effer- vescent, as the French text suggests. This may be the fault of the transla- ton. "Cyrano'' is marvelously written, and the charme of the original text does not well endure translation. New ertheess MT. Mansfield has given piece of acting, strong, and polished. As usual his elocution and department are distin- guished and admirable His personal dominates the audience whenever he is on the stage. His com- ic resource is shown in act three where Cyrano detains the Comte de Guiche. His delivery of the "Non, merci" and the ballad of the Cadets of Gascony" Il are things not soon to be forgotten. MT. Mansfield is a great figure in contem- porary histrionism, and New Haven will always give him the warmest kind of a welcome.
 The company numbers sixty eight ] persons which does not include the sli- oers, All the speaking parts are in | hands. Miss Katherine trey made a pretty and plea sing Rox- Z ane. The entire production was on a 1 scale of unprecedented magnificence : md lavishness. No expense had been { spared and yet good taste was evident z always, and this is a rare union. The I scenery was copied in many details { rom the Renaissance originals. The I tage direction was especially expert, I lnd more lifelike crowds have never ( )een seen here. It was altogether a S lnique experience for this town, and the gratitude of the theatergoing public is a reat. | JEW RAILROAD SERVICE FROM o
 NEW vnDJ~ e