The Washington times., 1902-12-21
Martin Harvey Talks
Of Sidney Carton
Believes the Actors Personality Should
Be Subordinated.

water Of the original production Of the
play in Lcudon. and Of the man to whom
it was given to place the role OF Sidney
Carton among the conspicuous stage
figures and his own name high on the
pinnacle OF fame. The actor was Martin
Harvey. who. previous to his appearance
in THE Only Way" the stage title Of
the story. was member Of Sir Henry
Irving's company. and who in a night
heard his name spoken in the same
breath with that OF Irving and equally
famous exponents Of dramatic art
Martin Harvey originated the role Of
Carton. and though Americans found
much to enjoy in Mr.. Miller's concep-
tion Of the character they were still
anxious to see the man who had created
It. and whose l-t bade fair to challenge
that Of greater lights in the theatrical
world That he has deferred his coming
so long seems to have lost for him none
OF the interest manifested in his work
several years ago. His last appearance
in America was with Irving, and now
he comes back as a fuH-felged star, an
artist and gentleman whom Americans
viii always welcome most cordially.
The stage at the Columbia Theater
had just been set for the third act Of
the play last night when a representa-
tive OF The Times wandered through
the maze OF stage accessories TO Mr..
Harvey's dressing room Bales OF hay
and straw used in thu prologue sug-
gested the probability Of equine actors.
In one Of the wings Jeal Defarge stood
glowering while Mt. Haryeys energetic
stage manager hastily put the finishing
touches to the scene before ringing
up" Mr.. Harvey received the writer
in a cordial. unaffected way. and began
a little interviewing on his own part
until checked and persuaded to discuss
himself and his work Il was only
another proof G. his power Of self-elimi-
nation to whaL he might consider more
important things. This it is in the
actors work which has lifted him out
OF mere supporting roles to work into
the realm Of stars, and as long as he
occupy that high and enviabIe position
in the dramatic world TO which he has
risen through his wonderful work in his
present play.
The actor was an interesting combin-
alton Of Sidney Carton and Martin Har-
vey- In the costume Of the Dickens
character, long coat, top boots. un-
kempt wig. and handkerchief tied care
lessly about his eek in lieu OF collar.
he might have tut just stepped from
the pages Of the story. To Offset this
there was Martin Harvey himself-gen-
erous hearted. cordial. cultured.
gentleman whose solicitations we're
rather for the theater in this country
and its people than for his own re-
Leption by those same people. and the
fate OF his play.
To those who saw Mr.. Harvey's I'm
.personation Of Sidney Carton, with all
the Ioathsomeness Of the character so
strongly emphasized his personality I
would prove a revelation. Gentility, /
grace. refreshing latk Of seIf-con- /
seriousness are his most prominent char 1
acteristics. There is an opportunity to
gain new idea Of stars in him. He has 4
none Of the traits Of the actor and does I
not feel it incumbent TO stride up and /.
down the room while talking and ac-
company his words with a series Of gyra- !
tions that do more TO tire the listener I
than convince him OF any dramatic abiI- /
/ hs, rF Tn
ing and wholly natural way Mr.. Harvey 4
replied 20 a query relative to the dra- /
matte advantages involved in the merg- |
er OF a players personality into that OF I
the character he assumed.
"The highest praise which I consider /
has been accorded my Interpretation OF .
the role OF Sidney Carton. he said. 'Is /.
that it is the Carton Of the book rather I.
than that Of my own conception. So you I
see. I do not deserve the credit after /.
all. Dickens drew the character and I /
have tried to follow his idea as closely /.
as possible It does not always tend to .
make matinee heroes Of us. but eventual /
ly it serves a better purpOse-it ma +
lures ones art. Learning to depend on I
ones personality is hazardous One will F..
not always be young and possessed Of the /
other qualifications to public favor. The /
day is always nearing when an actor .
viii have to depend upon other things /
than personal characteristics.
II do not think Il Is possible, however. /
to entirely destroy ones identity in 1
part For that reason have always con-
tended it is hard for an actor to be I
hypocrite. If you see him in hundred /
or thousand parts. each different from /
the others. you see a hundred or a thou !
sand different phases Of the mans dis /
position. They manifest themselves /
sometimes unconsciously and sometimes /
otherwise. but they do not fail to show /
However. If a man writes a part, no
matter how small or apparently in
significant it may be or what bearing /
it may have in a plays production. he /
has not written it for another man TO
embeIIsh. Il is his creation, and his
work has as much right TO considera-
ton and is as exclusively his own
property as book which man writes
and copyrights. Where is the use or
the advantage or even the moral com
pensation Of writing a play If some
rod,, &c gofDg TO come along and inter