Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-03

the announcement OF the death last week
OF the eminent English actor-author Charles
Coghan, was received with the greattst
surprise. not only by Omaha theatergoers,
but by those OF other cities in the midwest,
where Ccghlan has supposedly be-n ap.
pearing during the last month in bis lates
play, The Royal Box" When II became
known that a most fragrant deception had
been practiced the playgoers who gave "
their good dollars only a week be orr to
see Coghlan, as they supposed, at Bcyd's
thoater in THE Royal Box their exp e.
sions Of surprise were turned to those OF
Indignation. While understudies have oftea
appeared for a single performance or so
in the place Of stars, yet never before in
the theatrical history OF Omaha has de-
ception bold or fragrant been played
upon an unsuspecting public, and wee II
not for the fact that the performances by
Andrew Robson Mr. Coghlans understuly,
were artistic and highly enjoyable tha
duped public would doubtless be a 10
time recovering from the effects of the
bunco game perpetrated upon it b. tho
manager OF Mr.. Coghlans company, AMI 1t
would be still longer before 1t could BE-
induced to patronize any attraction ap
pearlng under his management.
IL Is not TO De WUuutItl at luda lUG
western people were so thoroughly deceived,
as Mr.. Coghan has appeared but once in
this part Of the country in 1855 and then
not as a stellar light but in the supror. OF
Mrs. Langtry. 1t was at the old Gr- n !
opera house at Fifteenth and Capitol ave-
nue. that he appeared and there are only
few even OF the od-time theate1gcers whl
witnessed Mrs Langtrys performance OF
AS in a Looking Glass" that will Iemem-
ber Mr.. Coghlan's portrayal of Captain Jack
Fortinbras.
Andrew Robson, who masquerade as
Coghlan in THE Royal Box" gave an OK
cellent Interpretation of the role Mr. Cogh-
Ian himself was supposed to be playing
good indeed, that even th-se who bad
seen the latter as Clarence within the
twelvemonth were deceived, and tn ref)re
there is no reason why Omaha people who
fooled, should be twittei with sug-
gestions OF presumed ignorance or in X.
perence. Robson himself fs certainly an
able actor and that he was even capable
OF understanding such an artist as Coghlln
commends him to theatergoers for consider
alton as a star. He will doubtless be ra-
membered by some as having appeared in
the cast Of blue Jeans" when presen ed
here some years ago. He played part
technically known as "a heavy" and even
then showed more than ordinary artistic
ability.
No blame can be attached to the man
ayers of the different theaters in Kansas
City. Omaha or any Of the cities where the
deception was practiced. The local man
ayers were as completely blind to the truth
as the public. when the news reached Mr..
Burgess, manager OF Boyd's theater, that
Coghan had not appeared here he was
dumfounded so to speak 81 had not the
slightest doubt in the world that it was not
Mr.. Coghlan that appeared at my theater
until l picked up paper in Chicago last
Tuesday morning." said he, "and read the
announcement OF his death in Texas. Even
then thought there must be some mistake.
The only one of my patrons to question the
Identity of the man who appeared as Cogh-
Ian was Mr.. McCune of The Bee. He came
10 me after the first act of the performance
of THE Royal Box" and expressed sorns
doubt as to the actor appearing as Clarence
being Coghlan, and as he was the only one
that raised any question of doubt the mat
ter slipped my mind, and l did not even
think to make further inquiry so sure was
that 1t was Coghlan."
In the death of Charles Coghlan the stage
suffers the loss Of one who for almost thirty
years had been one of its most prominent
hgures. In his time he had played many
and varied parts, ranging from Shakes
perian roles-Hamlet, Marc Antony and
Bhylock-to light comedy characters. In all
these the intelligence, the artistic spirit
and the perfect finish that marked his work
made his portrayals infinite delight to
his audiences. Tradition was frequently
departed from, but effect was never lost
4 marked characteristic Of his naturalne3s,
.epose and refinement In this coun-
try he was best known as a player of
modern gentlemen. Had Coghlan never
acted, his work a playwright alone would
have gained him eminence. He possessed
much literary ability. He a deep and
thoughtful student of the drama.
OF Coghlan's career the Dramatic Mirror
f New York speaks as follows, in part:
Charles f. Coghlan was born in Paris,
France. of Irish parents. His father, Fran
els Coghlan, was journalist. Young
fessionai appearance was made at Paris
theater. Soon after this Mr.. Coghlan went
to England and after playing for time in
=, the St. James theater in 1867. He then
and Hoiborn theaters and in 1870 became
leading man at the Prince of Wales the
this wFss sesef es dn HnT 81 % 3 @ Mr GSsS
Ian made his first great success as Chud-
leigh Dunscombe in Robertson's m. p"
In 1870 ne played Shylock in The Merchant
Of Venice" and his conception of the role
was severely criticised Mr.. Coghlan next
played Claude Melnotte to Ellen Terry's
Pauline I'm THE Lady OF Lyons at the
Princess theater This was in August 1875.
Mr.. Coghan made his American debut at
the old Fifth Avenue theater in New York
City on September II, 1876, having been en-
gagged leading man of Augustin Days
stock company, His first role in this coun-
try was that of Alfred Evelyn in money"
and his English success in the part was
repeated, At his benefit at the Fifth Ave-
nue on March 10. 1876 he appeared as Ham
let In the spring of 1877 he went to San
In Money" Hamlet" The Merchant Of
Venice" "The School for Scandal,
"Othelo'' and shadows" For the season
of 1SI7-7S he was engaged leading man
at the Union Square theater. Among his
roles at the Union Square We're lie Pont in
"a Mothers Secret" Mountjoye in "A
Man of Success and Jean Renaud in "A
Celebrated Case" The next season COgh-
Ian was leading man of the stock company
at Wallack's theater of which his sister,
Rose Coghlan, was also a member making
mis- debut as Lovelace in "Clar!ssa Har-
lowe
At the close of his engagement Mr. Cogh-
Ian appeared at the Boston museum and
then returned TO England. His success in
lI this country had been unusual AT time