The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-10-15

stage, both in this country and in England
1t is not generally known that his career
antedates that of Henry Irving, and that
he was the leader of the London stage be-
fore Irving had begun his successful man
agement of the Lyceum theater
Mr.. Coghian made his first mark in Lon
don about 1870 as Charles Surface in 1.-THE
School for Scandal" at the Prince of
Wales theater. His impersonation was so
true to the ideal requirements of the char
acter, that the late Sir John Mflais, who
was lover of refined character imperson-
alton on the stage, said he never expected
to see modern stage example of the good
manners of a century ago, but that lone
of those graceful fellows came to life and
stepped from an old frame, when Charles
Coghlan as Surface came upon the stage
at the Prince of Wales theater"
Mr. Coghlan was born and educated in
Paris and made his frat appearance on the
stage in a part in French. He shortly af-
terward became connected with the COM
pany playing at the prince of Wales the
alter lin London, and rapidly advanced until
he became the most prominent actor on
the London stage.
Mr.. coghlan first came to this country in
1876, under the management of Augustin
DAILY, making his American debut at the
Fifth Avenue theater. September u, as
Alfred Evelyn in Bulwer's Money" He
remained under Mr.. Days management
until the conclusion of that season, playing
leading parts in all the productions and
revivals at the Fifth Avenue theater. In
Daly's adaptation from the French, known
Life" he played Schuyler Samples; he
was the Orlando to Fanny Davenport's
Rosalind; he repeated the Characterization
of Charles Surface in which he had found
so much favor in England, the notable cast
including Miss Davenport as Lady Teazle.
Mrs Gilbert as Mrs. Candour, George
Drew as Maria, d. H. HarlSins as Joseph
Surface. John Brougham as Sir Oliver
Surface, Charles Fisher as Sir Peter. James
Lewis as Sir Benjamin Backbite. William
Davidge as Moses and, Frank Hardenbergh
as Crabtree In "thee Lady of Lyons" he
appeared as Claude to Miss Davenports
Pauline, and also to Adelaide Nelson's;
in"London Assurance" as Charles Court
ley, and in 1.-The Hunchbaek" as Sir Thorn
as Clifford to Adelaide Nelson's Julia,
Miss Davenport Helen and e. l.. Daven-
ports Master Walter. Since then Mr..
Coghlan has a1ternated between England
and America.
Last season he presented his greatest eff
fort as author, he having previously
written several very successful plays, and
the most superb example of his rare art
as an actor in 1.-THE Royal Box" which he
adapted himself from the elder Dumas
-"Kean, on Genie ct Desordre." 1t is the
opinion of many of the critics that II he
mad never done anything else in his long
stage career to establish himself a
splendidly tolented player his work in
1.-THE Royal Box" would stamp him as one
of the greatest actors of the time. A lead
ing New York critic said of him: In unaf-
fected dignity careless grace, in the sug-
gestion oS real intellect and vrilty, he Is
dmmeasurably superior to the puppets who
are ruffing 1t today upon the stage as
leading men, but who have scarcely any
thing but their clothes and impudence to
recommend them These young gentlemen
,rI,t 70 no toll n Fifth Avenue
theater in body in order that they might
gain some notion of what first class COM
edian really is
because She Loved Him So had a re-
markedly successful run at the Madison
Square theater New York, where 1t was
presented over $50 times. The piece is
farce adapted by William Gillette from the
French of Sisson and Leclercq.
The farce deals WITH the trtbulations of
Oliver and Gertrude West, who are newly
married. devoted to one another, and
wealthy, a combination which would seem
to insure happiness. 1t doesn't because
of the jealousy of the wife, which flares up
again and again with disastrous results to
the household harmony. With the idea of
showing the young people the Stiffness of
their uuarre1s, Gertrude's father and moth
err Mr.. and Mrs. Weatherby decide to
have make believe falling out, which
adds to the complications. resulting in an
amusing sequence of incidents. The piece
has been styled the Little Minister of
farce on account of dts wonderful popular
ity and refinement.
The Christian company, headed by Effle
Ellsler as Glory Quayle and j. NJ Colville
as John Storm, finished its second week in
New England on Saturday evening and
scored one of the biggest successes ever
achieved in that territory. Mr. Colvflle's
John Storm has been pronounced a most
excellent performance, and Miss Ellsler's
Glory is spoken of as one of the most eff
fective performances ever witnessed in
that section. The Boston Herald recently
said Miss Ellsler seemed at times to step
right out from the pages of Hall Gaines
famous novel;"
Kate Jepson, the character woman of the
Darkest Russia company, is organizing a
novel outing party for the coming summer.
She has arranged to charter a large house
boat which will be used along the coast
of Maine, by nothing but actresses, who
play the same line of parts as Miss Jepson,
none others will be invited Each guest
has to furnish a written certificate from
her manager of the present year, that she
has not been known to kick" once during
the season This condition will be rigfdly