The Washington times., 1903-02-24
Splendid Talents Shown in
1.-The Professors Love
Story" and as Andre
Jossan in The Optimist.

stage entered yesterday upon weeks
engagement in Washington at the New
National Theater.
He appeared in two roles. that Of Prof.
GoodwiIlie I'm THE Professors Love
Story" an enactment which has en-
deared him to many thousands Of thea
tergoers and has everywhere exalted his
reputation. and that OF Andre Jossan.
the chief figure OF a play by Alfred Ca
pus, entitled in French La Chatelaiue.'
but known in the translation used by Mr.
willard as The Optimst.' II must give 1
deep pleasure TO those WashingtOnians |
who are seriously interested i'm the thea /
ter TO note that both performance OF 7
yesterday were given the most suhstan- /.
tial support.
In the course OF the succeeding Gvc 1
days Mr. Willard wiz appear in The /
Optimist-' four times. once in Tho Mid
dIeman'- and once m David Garrick.
and ae will. no doubt. enjoy 20 the full
those evidences of high standing which
he has so generously earned and b2a now
enjoyed FOR many years.
Many excellent qualities have iuva-
riably distinguished Mr.. Willard above
his fellows. He has long been the fore
. most elocutionist or our stage. His
voice gives universal pleasure His per
sonaIity. wherever manifested. contri-
butss Intelligence. !,indliness. gentleness.
sincerity. nobility OF purpose, and Hne
character His plays are distinctiyely
opposed TO that school which calculates
on a dobasing love or norbidity and
cheap pCrversion OF philosophy uader
the 'pretense OF displaying the great
-. laa
with all this. fortunately FOR his patrons
aud the stage. he has never been con-
tent. Every season throughout a long
theatrical experience has seen him grow
in ability and charm until today he IS.
within certain acceptable limitations.
one CT the foremost. as well as one OF
the most highly esteemed actors on the
stage
To the average actor Of today tempo
rary success in any part is sufficient TO
determine his whole career. There are
stars who must always be seen as pot
tcring old men. or young Davids cos
TUNED like figures in a Noah's Ark, or
Germans who correspond 10 no German
ever seen in the heavens above the
earth beneath or the waters under the
earth Certain young women are des-
fgnated as especially difficult studies for
the playwright. They are like so many
molds TO whom the playwright must
suit his wares or retire. It is needless
10 say this is not histrionic art. and that
DO artist ever belonged 10 this school
But IL should be said that Mr.. Willard
has not only maintained a conspicuous
superiority tO these influences, but is
today a Gno example OF that theatrical
art which constantly enriches the stage
with new creations instead Of depicting
il by reyamping old ones
The virtue or human activity lies in
the fact that men apply their faculties
TO things material and dormant 10 make
out Of them things useful and good.
Where the result ends in usefulness only
the workman is a craftsman; art is dis
tirguished from craftsmanship by the
creation out OF these same elements OF
things which are not only useful. but
tcautifuI as well. This would seem to be
within the comprehension OF everyone
II is sustained surely By the history
OF every people, and the career OF every
artist. Yet it must be constantly pre-
scnted and argued and proven to put al
rest an opposite tendency which es-
teens art TO be a joyous excursion into
gutter filth or a prcachment with stencil
anc unutterable disease for it's text. "
tais clear and healthfuI view OF art. Mr.
willard is urc-cminent. and the unior
OF these two qualities gives his in
fiuonce a value which cannot be readil,
oYerestimated
Ii is a happy circumstance that tn
two enactments Of yesterday expounC
these qualities admirably. Prof. Good
willie. is a character like Charles Lamb
Euilcicss. conndlng. oblivious OF self. so
iicItous for the good OF others. a natur'
that thinks no evil. mind that dwell.
instlnctively on things which are pure
heart that reaches out in sympathy Il
every one OF Gods creatures. It Is al
impersonation which reaches the bes
impulses in men and by singular powe
and deep pathos arouses every such i'm
pulse anew.
Andre Jossan is superhcially q
very diserent mold. His Is an ebuilien
nature. sanguine, secure. distinctiyel
forceful and unvaryingly cheerful
But this optimism Is actually only an
other expression OF the same high pur
poses. the same broad sympathies. tn
same love for others. His is life o
cheerfulness and energy built upon tn
unhappy experience OF a wasted youth
His strength arises from an unyieldin
and secure knowledge OF self His sym
pathy depends first OF all on a realiza
tion OF his own weaknesses. So IL
that through the whole course of stOr
which IS essentially French. whic
touches subjects in themselves unsuite
10 theatrical discussion. this characte
disseminates only lofty thoughts teache
tby force OF a fine example, only th
best lessons. and creates standard q
human affection so high that the -memor
OF 81 must prove generally a precioy
possession. a love which. as Jossan him
self explains. shall bring only happt
ness 10 every one" Here is no plea fc
harlotry. regenerated or otherwise. Thi
is no study in slime. By the force
.-nL.I.. -...-rr..na md lhn rlrllLa- Of tn