The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-03-27
LAUGHS THAT HURT
Frank J. Keenan, Tells of
Griefs of an Actor
PRODUCED'THE CHRISTIAN
And Sydney Grandy's Musk
ateerS" in New York.
PRODUCED'THE CHRISTIAN


ooh, yes, 1t hurts an actors heart to
have an audience laugh at something
that is pathetic" This was the answer
Frank J. keenan, made last night when
asked if people didn't sometimes laugh
In the wrong place at a play, even in
heartens takes the life out of his work"
he continued. You've got TO change your
work to suit every different audience.
The audience tonight IS good. They have
shown clever discretion and unusually so,
and 1 have been able to get some new
work into the play. I think I have really
been able by little touches here and there
to improve the usual work"
1t is fact that at one time last night
a great many people were crying while
others were laughing over the
misfortunes of Noah Vale in "A Poor
Relation" at the opera house. Some of
the finest touches, some Of the most in
tense pathos were found in situations
where it was only half a step in imag-
imitation from the sublime to the ludic-
rous. A situation may be extravagant and
yet pathetic depending, of course, upon
ones manner of seeing things. That's
why people laugh at tragic things in "A
Poor Relation" 1t has been many a day
since Wichita had so thoroughly good a
play by so thoroughly good people as
were at the opera house last night
"a Poor Relation is a peculiar play.
u ali
inventor, rich in originative genius, yet
poor in those qualifications that enable
men TO cope with the intensely practical
and the grinding selishness of the world.
1t IS a play that displays the great depths
of the human heart and the simple story
told in mirth and pathos must surely
reach the heart of the auditor
The company that presented this play
at the Crawford theater last night pre-
scented it well It is Sol Smith RusselPs
company, the same company that sup
ported him until his unfortunate Illness
which removed him from the stage, an
account Of which appeared In the Eagle
some weeks ago. Mr. Russell played this
piece in Wichita about eight years ago
himself, appearing as Noah Vale. This
character last night was presented by
Mr.. Frank J. keenan, in a most salts
factory manner. Compared to Russell
he can not be. for Russell is unlike anv
other actor. Mr.. Keenan, does not make
the mistake of attempting to be like Mr.
Russell. In this instance imitation would
again be suicide. But Mr.. Keenan, wisely
acts the part after his own Interpretation
and asserts his own individuality And
he is a genius. His work IS finished and
artistic It is Mr.. Keenans first visit 20
Wichita in sixteen years. In the east
Mr.. keenan, is known as a play producer.
manager and actor. He produced Hall
Gaines Christian" in New York last
season, and has also starred with Hoyt's
company. Mr.. keenan, as Noah Vale
pleased. He is an actor Of the same
quiet natural methods of Russell His
facial expressions, as we'll as his express
i've gestures are telling. He pathetically
and at the same time humorously por-
trays the poverty-stricken, yet charitable
attributes of the true gentleman COM
bined in the sweet, unworldly character
of Noah Vale. Frank, generous and IN
suspicious, the poor relation" is robbed
of his invention, upon which he has be-
slowed the time and thought of years.
Even then his generous instincts do not
desert him, and his noble qualities shine
with ever-increasin luster amongst the
associations of poverty and want He ac-
cepts his loss with equanimity and takes
the evil things Of life with a full and
hopeful confidence that justice will at
length prevail. AS in all well conducted
dramas. justice does finally prevail. and
the poor relation reaps the full reward
Of patience. charity and we'll doing. The
poor relation is a unique characterization
upon the stage and vet character that
the world Will recognize at sight. Mr.
Keenan, is peculiarly adapated for the
part he plays. In his Interpretation there
IS little trace OF artificiality or restraint
Such IS the play "a Poor Relation
The audience half the time does not know
whether to laugh or to cry. It is a. strong
play The audience last night was very
enthusiastic and at the end OF the sec
calls. At the fourth act Mr.. keenan, re-
sponded in a splendidly worded and mod
est speech before the curtain. The little
children the boy and girl Miss Lila
Convene and Jacques Martin. the jani-
tor, are especially strong actors in the
cast However. the company is good and
gave fine performance They will again
present the play tonight.
.