The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-02
JEFFERSON AT THEATRE
VENERABLE ACTOR 0x1ETED
 BY A BIC AUDrENcI.
Splendid Production Last Night of "The Rivals," Great comedian as Db Acrss--11Ads .
 Good Speech.

There was fine blending of the old and the new at the Montgomery Theatre last night when Joseph Jefferson, the veteran American actor. supported by an excellent company, presented Richard Brinsley Sheridan's superb old English comedy "The Rivals" to a large, critical and fashionable audience.
 The old was typined by Mir. Jefferson himself and Sheridan's comedy; the new was represented by the happy-faced young folk of Montgomery society and the intelligent young American actors and actresses with which Mir. Jefferson has surrounded himself.
 The audience was not composed en- tireiy of Montgomery people. Nearly every town within q radius of one hum dred miles of Montgomery was repre- sented In the audience by its cultured folk and the big audience paid ample tribute to this splendid old gentleman. 'the dean of the American stage"
 To critictse the art of Mir. Jefferson would he equal to a commendation of the English of Shakespeare or to praise the Madonna of Raphael. His Bob Acres is a classic. With all the great actors pro- duced by a great country none has ever approached Mir. Jefferson in portrayal of this quaint English country sentle- man conceived by the great sheridan.
 The impression. however, was forced upon the friends of Mir. Jefferson that he has aged considerably since his last ap- pearance in Montgomery. His voice falters and his step Is visibly feeble, Notwithstanding these defects the audi ence was in thorough sympathy with his work and gave him frequent and enthu- siastic applause.
 At the close Of the second act Mir. lief. ferson was called before the curtain and made happy speech in which he proved that surely
 "He is the very pinespple of polite ness"
 He said If he told his audience he ap- preciated it's esteem the audience would say that he failed to put his hand on his heart: per contra, If he put his hand on his heart the audience would say he was insincere. Consequently he could only declare that he was happy that his audience appreciated his work.
 Next to Mir. Jefferson the audience per- haps found chief interest in Joseph Jef- ferson, Jr., who played Sir Lucius O'T'rig- ger. Evidently he is a close student of the methods employed by his artictic father for Mrl Jefferson, Jr.. made d de- cidedly good impression. His reading is good and he imparted perfect dialect to the character. His appearance is commanding and he has a good voice.
 The Sir Anthony of Mir. Jack was fault1ess.
 Miss Ffolliott Paget came very near be-
 ing as satisfying as Mrs. John Drew in her conception and interpretation of Mrs. Malaprop. With all of her cumbersome speech and character makeup she could not conceal the fact that she is really handsome woman. She invested the part with the same good humor that 1t re. quires and was a prime favoritc with tho audience.
 Miss Mendum. as Lydia Lansuish, wa: winsome and coy. She has Erasped th' full spirit of the part and she was mos convincing.
 When one considers that the 9Th, Rivals" was produced last night by Mir Jefferson and his company for the frs time this season the smoothness of tn production will be better appreciated. The cast was as follows: Sir Anthony--John Jack. Captain Absolute (under the asume, 1 name of Beverly)-- Boyd Putnam. Bob Acres-Joseph Jefferson. Sir Lucius O'Tigger-Joseph Jefferson Jr.
 David--GeOrge Denham. Faulkland-Henry L. Keane. Fag-William Jefferson. Mrs. Malaprop--Ffolliott Paget. Lydia Languish--Georgic Mendum. Lucy-Blanche Bender.