The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-11-20
STUART ROBSON HERE.
Again Pleases Large Audience in
Topeka


A racing yacht hurrying before the
wind to complete the course under the
time limit is an apt illustration of the
present life of Stuart Robson. He is
hurrying along the gamut of theaters
hoping to give a new generation a
sight of himself as 'Bertle the Lamb
in Bronson Howard's comedy, The
Henrietta before he is too old for the
part of the brainless young idiot. Next
year will complete RObson's half cen
fury as an actor
His playing is not for the benefit of
new generation alone. There We're gen
erations far from new to see him at the
Crawford last night. Many had seen
the famous comedian before in the
same part. 1t has been half a dozen
years more since he appeared as
.Bertie" in Topeka and despite the
paint and powder and wig it is only too
plain that Robson will have to spread
every inch of canvas and cut the cor
ners close if he makes the rounds of the
theaterS under the time limit He knows
it. 1t Will undoubtedly be several years
before Robson is forced to retire from
the stage for there are other parts that
will suit him. Jefferson pays no atten-
ton to age but in his perpetual part of
rip VanWinkle" he has the advantage
of Robson who has to be a beardless
youth.
Robson is really "Bertie VanAlstyne,
Jr.' The peculiar lisp and break in the
voice went far toward making the char
acter such success. There is little
acting to the lisp. 1t requires no art for
Robson to use it as a laugh provokeP
as it is natural When he was seen
here two years ago as 'Oliver Gold
smith the lisp was with him. A year
ago as TONY Lumpkin" he was lisping
In every day life it is the Robson lisp.
Robson mas but one method of Great
ing fun That method is all his own
with no initators for the people will
have no counterfeits. In all the parts
he has played he has resOrted to the
same physical uietness and the sa~ le
mental ease to produce the laughter. 1t
never seems that he is trying to work
the audience into a good humor and his
fun is never forced. Those who saw
him in the part of the English poet two
years ago commented upon the magnif-
icence of the production and the capa-
bilities of the company but secretly ad-
mitted that they were not satisfied with
Robson's part. A year ago the audience
was enthusiastic about "She Stops to
Conquer because it is proper to be in
a state of excitement over the comedy
but no one thought Robson was in his
element. He was last night.
There has not been comedy on a 10
cal stage in many months that provOH
ed the laughter and applause as did the
performance last night. Topeka theater
goers and Mr. Robson were once es-
in 1.-The Two Dromios'' and instead his
treasurer took the peoples money and
the understudy did the part while Rob
son was in Kansas City. But the peo
pie have forgiven him, for with the ex
ception of half a dozen seats, the theater
was sold out last night.
Robson's supporting company was ex
cellent and the play was handsomely
staged. The part of Nicholas Van
Alstyne" which was created by William
Fl. Crane Is years ago when he and
Robson brought out the comedy, was
ed the honors with Robson. Arbuckle
was a Texas lawyer and made a fzzle
of Blackstone so he went on the stage.
His first offense was in a heavy part in
New York. Then he played the wrong
part in the wrong town and he heard
about it the next day after his first ap-
pearance. That did not daunt him and
he went to work with vigOr enough to
shake off the Texas fever determined
to conquer. He has. A few seasoSs
ago he was seen here in the title part
of why Smith Left Home"
AS the "Old Nick of Wall street Ar
buckle was perfect He is large man
who has the flesh and bone requirements
of a portly broker. Crane is supposed
to have been better in the part for he
has long been a famous actor but it is
doubtful if even Crane gave a better
Interpretation of the character. Ar
buckle was immensely funny Russ
Whytal as nicholas VanAlstyne, Jr-, "
the villain of the piece. was SO through
and capable in his handling of the part
that the audience wondered if the box
office man in the front of the theater
had not better lock up the cash before
he stole it. Joseph p. Keefer as ''The
Rev. DIR. Murray Hilton furnished the
old broker plenty of chances for amuse-
ment. Dorothy Rossmore as Mrs. Cor
nelia Opdyke" led the female forces in
ability. Mary Realty looked pretty
enough and sustained her reputation
as an Irish beauty. 1t is said that her
acting is improving. Estelle Carter,
seen here before as 1.-THE Firefly" in
when We Were Twenty was
equal to the occasions in the part Of