The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-03
ACTORS IN NEW ASPECTS.
WILLIAM III. CRANE IMPERSONATES
PETER STUYVEsANT.

blctlOn by brander Matthews, oronsoh
Howard and George X. sims-Wngncr
In English bV tho Castle Square Company.
At Wallack's Theatre last night William II.
Crane added to his long row OF typical Amer
lean figures This latest OF them. being Peter
SuvresGnt. was necessarily wooden in one
leg. His physical popularity was. OF course.
the first point In the portrayal to get the atten-
ton oftho audience. Mr. Cranes face was this
time neglected until his devics for imi-
tating the Dutch Governar's loss OF a leg had
been scrutinized Not the bare feet OF Tiilbv
nor the long nose OF Cyrdno. had been more
curiously greeted than the peR-leg OF Peter
Even the applause which always welcomes
Mr.. Crane in a new play had to wait
ittle till his walking gear was looked at. How
had he done III Had he cut on leg in the
interest OF art? At least he had put himself to
inconvenience, II not to torture. His right leg
was bent up at the acutest feasible angle from
the knee and the lower portion was hidden
In the folds OF cloak. while in Its
place from the knee down only wooden piece
showed He stumped around In realistic
fashion danced comically at one jovial Juncture.
and deplorcd his MANNED condition seriously.
when a soldierly impulse possessed him.
The wooden leg was not obtrusive.
however. as might well have been feared for it
1t was not OF either farcical or dramatic
value. but 1t was an obvious portion Of the por-
traiture. and in that way quite legitimate
But Nr. Cranes performance was not wooden.
aside from the leg. On the contrary. his acting
was flexible with genuine feeling. which had
considerable range from unctuous humor to
raging choler. and was safely within the
bounds OF those abilities which have kept this
comedian in favor with very many people
The play OF Peter Stuyvesant. Governor OF
New Amsterdam" had been written first by
toned by Bronson Howard. 1t was sufficiently
historical to have en- environment Of truth.
The time and place were 1881 and
our island OF Manhattan. The British were
conspiring to take the colonial government
away from the Dutch This political intrigue
ran along through the piece. and provided
some OF tho action. But the authors had kept
in mind the demand of audiences for lovers.
and had created four to he mismatched
by StuvreSdnt. That was the scheme for the
flctional section OF the comedy, as the Governor
was. in fact a famously obstinate man, and
as the actor. had been excellent In
roles OF mingled wrong head and
right heart. the reasonable calculation had
been that historical interest might be at
tended by popular diversion. No mistake had
been made In the plan Of the work. Awooer
had not been made OF Mr.. Crane He did not
have to undertake the, to him. impossible task
OF a sentimental courtship His connection
with ante nuptial affairs was solely as an old
fellow Who for political reasons. was deter
mined that two young couples should
not intermarry as their hearts inclined
them to. but as he dictated All through
his misdirected and futile efforts he
was blind to his mistake. and even misled
the two girls into jealous misery. There was
FIRST rate medy in some OF these misunder-
standings. and they were the best entertain
ment that the evening afforded. The uutrtette
soil. William Courtney. sandal Miken
and Percy iaswell. al! comely and agreeable,
There we're Two other and more broadly
French wooer Of sclene johnson. and 'Thad
Shine rs an. Irish Tooer OF Leila Bron-
Immediately surrounding Mr.. Crane. nnI in
az an amiable meddler and would-be con-
troer. The production was handsome in COS
e oes No sta, SHe'y liberia than Mr. crane
in the mounting Of GlpEys The sTlsGGs
times, at the end OF the third act, He declined
to MAKE speech. but Mr.. Howard spoke briefly
for Mr.. Matthews and himself.
What was said OF the twins who so closely re-
scmblcd each other might be repeated in ref
| erence to My Innocent Boy" which was pro-
| duced for the first time in this city at the
| Garrck last night. Many farces are very much
| alike. but this one is more Every one has a
liar for its central character. In this piece the
| author. George r. Sims. had in a recke
moment devised a new course for his ''hero's"
| prevaricatlon. His originality stopped there
however A man had been married. become a
father and a wldower all without his family's
! knowledge. His father supposed him
to be the most innocent and unso-
| phisticated being possible. This watchful
| parent arranges a marriage for his son
| with n woman who writes books and lectures
on truth. 1t should be also mentioned that she
| has been engaged to her husband elects
! friend who is now paying court to that man s
| daughter. From these facts any theatregocr
can tell what ensucs. The innocent
| boy" ia welded and keeps his wife in
| ignorance OF his former marriage, for no rea-
| son but to give himself an opportunity to run
| in and out Of DOORS to get locked In dark
| closet with his enraged father. and to
| Jump out OF windows at various in
| tervals. All those things seemed laughable last
! night more because they were gone through
with a snap md 60 than for any real comic merit.
| 1t was one OF those pieces that was moderately
| amusing and seemed at every moment Just on
| the verge OF being exceptionally funny. 1t
never got over the medium mark. however.
For soma unaccountabla reason Mr.. Sims bills
his play as comedy. IL ls n long. long way
| from being that. Viewed as farce. it is a
| commendable work; as a farce, it is apostolic.
| Otis Harlan was introduced as n star" last
| night for the frat time. He has been that in
| the public estimation for some years. His per-
| formance OF Hot StLF in "A Black Sheep" set
| tied his position. Perhaps the SUCCESSIVE made
| in "A Day and Night" last year per-
suaded Mr.. Mckee to put him forward In
| MY Innocent Boy" His part In that piece
| was identically the same as in this one. Last
| night Mr. Harlan's unctuous acting carried a
| farce to success which otherwise would prob
| ably have met one OF those lukewarm receptions
| which neither condemns nor praises Florence
| Lillian Wickcs was the young lady who so ad-
| mred truth. She looked beautiful and came
| up to the requirements Of her role. Joseph
| Allen played one OF those noisy old men who is
| funny for about Ave minutes and then begins
to crate on ones nerves Frank Doane was n
really amusing friend. who is tho most In
| offensive person possible and yet gets blamed
for everything The role was one Of tho best