The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-07
JOSEPH JEFFERSON.
The Nestor of the American Stage
Once More Visits Worcester.

Gould Richard Brinsley Sheridan have
arranged his term on earth for a cen
fury later, it might have been of con-
siderable advantage to him in the way
Of authors royalties. 1t is sad to
think of the genius dying amid sordid
poverty, who was the writer of what
has been called 'the best comedy of
polite society in the language" whose
brilliant wit and keen satire have fur
nished an intellectual treat for 1875
years, and whose work is, even yet,
atfording large incomes to its interpre-
ters; but such is often the way of the
world. And if Sheridan's spirit, look
ing-it is immaterial from which di-
rection-toward the earth, could see the
theatre of our staid and conservative
city packed to the very walls last night
to watch presentation of 1.-THE Ri
walls" in weather that was decidedly
Indictment, the sensation must have been
a trifie comforting.
1t is one of the encouraging syn1p-
toms, in these intensely modern days
that tho old standard drama is so high
ly appreciated. The Boston Museum
Company, in it's palmy time, used to
give up a few weeks every spring to
the old comedies" and this was the
most profitable period of the season
Knowles and Sheridan and Colman may
be artificial, but they are vigorous and
hearty; they wrote the best and purest
English; and for their plots and dia-
logue they need ask odds Of no one.
The oid-fashioned ancestral tone of
the play seemed borne out also in the
company. They suggested an old-time
New England household, Where would
be gathered under one roof the head
OF the family and his numerous sons
and daughters-in-law, together with
several hired men in the busy season.
This gave the performance a charming
air Of iomesticity, though viewed from
dramatic standpoint, few of the
players seemed to be selected as much
on account of family tics as of talents.
But it was Mr.. Jefferson that the au-
dience chiefly cared about, and 1t was
a privilege that he visited this city, for
the veteran actor travels but little Of
late years.
OF Mr.. Jefferson there is little to be
said V h'ch has not been said many
times in many places ny many people.
He is the figure above all others whom
the American stage lover delights to
honor. The public have come to re-
gard his portrayal of Bob Acres and
Ieil an w lnkle as lQC0l, and every
other player who faoy assume either
role is ranked high or low exactly in
proportion as he approaches the Jeffer-
sonian conception. And If we demand
an object for our supreme dramatic
homage, no one can hold the throne
with more fitness or dignity than Jeffer-
son. He may do little actively for the
advancement of the stage-for encour-
aging the native dramatist, or assist
ing the needy player, or inspiring the
ambitious one; but he will always serve
as model of the type of actor who
never lowers his artistic standard, and
throughout a long and honorable ca
reer, has shown himself both in public
and private life, a cultured American
gentleman.
Werner Charges was a capital Sir An
thony. and George Denham made
strong hit in the comparatively small
part Of David. Boyd Putnam was j
satisfactory captain. Elsie Leslie a
pretty Lydia and the Mrs Malapron
of Ffolliet FACET, though 1t could moi
quite efface the memory of Mrs. Dre1v,s
wonderful impersonation, was stiIl
well-concelved and humorous charac-
terization. The audience was most ap-