The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-24
ADJUSTMENTS
Mr.. Willard at the metropolitan. In
tom Pinch"


tom Pinch,
The character of Tom Pinch is one nj tba
most beautiful as 1t is one of the least
dramatic characters ever created by Dickens.
1t follows, therefore, that a stage representa-
ton portraying the chief events and happen
ings in the life of such a man, though it
may possess interest, may not, with ac-
curacy, be termed a play. 1t was charac-
ter study that e. S. Willard gave US at the
Metropolitan last night, delightful study
in which the dominating traits were good
ness and smplicity-but it was not play,
In fact, no one has yet succeeded in drama
<tizing Dickens; and what is more no one
ever Will succeed, although the attempt will
probably go on to the end of the chapter.
OF necessity this stage story is episodieal.
Its people come on and strut their little
while upon the stage and then are gone, 1eav-
ing pleasant recollections of the master
novelist. but awakening within us wonder
that they should have been utilized for such
purpose. However, all this is somewhat
beside the question. tom Pinch" should
not be judged by the hard and fast rules
OF dramatic construction, and judged other
wise it is worthy of much praise.
Mr.. Wizards conception of the charac-
ter is one that must bring pure and calm
delight to all admirers of good acting. It
is easy, finished and marked by high ability
in character impersonation. 1t is, in fact,
worthy Of Its original. Pinch was man with
the lovely and lovable disposition OF an un-
spoiled child. His near sighted eyes looked
out upon the little world in which he moved
through lenses of rose color. He found good
in all things and in all persons, seeing IN
his intimates only the reflex beauty and
LONELINESS Of his own character must
clan. the harmony he drew from the cathedral
organ was not more melliiuous than that of
his own nature He loved, but both his mod
esty and his loyalty to a friend forbade him
to speak And when the awakening came. a
come it did. when he was compelled to recos
nize the littleness, the meanness and the
hypocrisy Of the man whom he had re-
garded as typical of all that is good and
noble, the sentiment aroused within his
breast was regret for the friend he had lost,
sorrow for him who had never had an exis-
tence save in his own kindly consciousness.
1t is such man that Mr.. Willard has
realized In his impersonation OF Tom Pinch.
His acting ccnceals art. It is natural, sim
pie and unaffected. In attempting the role
MIR. Willard has bulded for himself monu-
ment to his own sympathy and ability, for
without sympathy the: character would be
impossible In other words, he has not tilted
at windmills.
The stage story OF Tom Pinch introduces
also Mr.. Pecksniff, Mark Tapley, Martin
Chuzzlewit, father and SON. Mrs Lupin,
and other personages familiar to readers Of
Dickens. Mr.. Pecksniff, whose hypocritical
Crocodile" tears gave the English language
new adjective. plays an important part in
the dramatization as he does in the novel;
And who can fail to resrize the delicious
humor In the character Of Mark Tapley, who
saw no credit In being cheerful under IA
vorabie circumstances, and who was con-
sequently happiest when he had most cause
to be miserable?
Mr.. Wizards supporting company appears
to much better advantage in the Dickens
story than in the Louis n Parker drama
which preceded 1t in the local engagement.
The Pecksniff OF Mr.. Barfoot is worthy
Characterization, compelling admiration for
its consistency and its fidelity to preconceived
ideas. Not less admirable is the Mark Tap
ley of Ernest Stallard In short, the roles
are all well handled.
Tom Pinch" has been given an excellent
setting, the scenery Of the second act being
particularly worthy of mention. It is un-
necessary to say that members of the COM
pany speak English as 1t is spoken among
Englishmen. At the conclusion OF last nights
performance the players were rewarded with
applause and cheers from parquet and gal
lery alike. Men and women remained in
their seats until the curtain had been raised
and lowered several times, surely high
tribute when it is remembered that there is
nothing in the piece itself to excite en-
thusasm.
This afternoon Mr.. Willard repeated sThe
Cardinal. Tonight he will be seen In THE
Professors Love Story. .
IS ~. s, LarrsssA