The Washington times., 1903-12-08
WAKEFIELD REPEATS
FINE INPERSONATION
Again Delights His Patrons
as the aUctiOneer.
AN EXAMPLE OF TRUE HUM0R
Reflects Best Tendencies of Modern
Stage Art-Columbia Well Filled
by Apprecisti live Audience.

David WarfeId reproduced at the Co
iumbia Theater last night his imper-
sonatiOn Of the modern Jewish dealer
in secondhand clothing, with which his
acting is now generally associated and
on which his present reputation large
ly depends This character as is well
known Is the chief figure in a play
called THE Auctioneer." written by
Lee Arthur and Charles Klein. and was
first assumed by Mr.. Warfield three
years ago Then. as now. il was re-
ceived as an embodiment remarkable for
fine reflection OF actual life among the
people whom the actor sought to depict.
and then, as now, it evoked general ad-
miration as an effective union of re-
strained emphasis and faithful imita-
ton,
IrtSspite Of wide familiarity with the
play and its characters. Mr.. Warield
was received last night by a large au-
dience, and given every assurance Of
thorough understanding. complete sym
pathy. and hearty Endorsement. The
entertainment was, consequently. en-
joyable alike to actors and auditory
and promised we'll for Mr. Warfield's
next coming. when ii IS understood he
viii prove the seriousness of his artis-
tic purpose by entering an entirely new
field of character impersonation.
Naturaliness and Emphasis.
Many critics have indicated recently
that the chief contribution OF this age
to dramatic art would likely prove to
be a strong inclination toward actual
lie This IT YVES which produced such
plays as The Old Homestead" and
Shore Acres" and has now, by pro-
cess of evolution. produced such actors
as Eleanora Duse. Mrs Fiske. Mrs
Campbell, John Hare, Martin Harvey.
and Eleanor Robson This school is
soecupied rather with keeping down TO
nature than with the extra enuncia-
ton of particular phrases. lessons or
impulses. There emphasis is kept as
close to the occasional emphasis Of ac-
tual conversation as the necessities Of
the stage permit. In the earlier stages
of this movement. its disciples erred
as greatly in reducing their acting 10
monotone as their professional asso-
ciates erred in spotting their lines with
emphasis like the feathers Of 8 guinea
fowl Today. old and new schools have
alike contributed TO aid each other, so
that the art even Of extremists ike Mrs.
Fiske has been balanced and the whole
field OF the drama has caught more Of
Epature, real spirit than. ever il has
sl6noWzl bsfore-
This period of dramatic development is
represented exactly in the acting Of
AIr. Warheld. It's most popular at
tribute. probably. IS its remarkable hdel-
Stv in gesture, motion, dress. express
sion, and impulse 10 the type 1t rep
resents. Not a few of those who en-
loved him 70 heartily last night were
Jews. and yet Mr.. WarfieId's impersOna-
ton rang so true that these persons
laughed as loudly and with as manifest
an JUNCTION as anyone else In the au-
dience. IT was not Mr.. Warfield who
moved about the stage; IL was a new
. person with Mr. Warfield's brain and
life. and the personality Of the race
10 which the character belonged Yet
proper emphasis was not lacking. The
actor with all his restraint, lifted his
voice opportuneIy, smiled Enthusiastically
when he did smile. and looked far TO one
side or the other when he looked at all.
He could not have created an illusion
had he not done this. and the Illusion
was perfect
Redolent of True HumOr.
The character which results is an
example OF true humOr. not Of wit or
burlesque or caricatCre, but Of that
true hunor OF which so much has
been written but which no man may
ever define. Il plays upon the springs
OF both laughter and tears, and while
the eyes still gliEten In moist sympa-
thy Hreathes the face in smiles. One
writer has called It wit and love COM
bined; and well II may be. for IL spar,
kles as wit sparkles at its best and
seems TO view the world in all the gen
tleness, kindness ana sympathy which
radiats from love itself. So IL IS that
the conquests OF the Auctioneer are
gentle conquests. victories OF a glow
ing sunlight which fills the heart OF
the spectator with a kind OF serene
security rather than turns II upside
down WITH passion. unloveliness. and
doubt.
Therein lies the story of Mr.. War
neld's "Auctioneer." For in this in
stance the character and influence be-
long to the actor and not at all TO the
playwright. The story has induigent In
terest merely. the life portrayed is with
out poetic charm except for the humor
Of the Auctioneer, and the other char
acters-barring only an old Irish woman
played admirably by Marie Bates and
the Auctioneer's wife. played by Maria
Davis-are mere accessories The credit
belongs 10 M Wa-ield alone. and a
whole sea or upturned faces have al
ready given II 10 him in mingled tears
ard smiles. A d. A.