Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-29
ABOUT PLAYS PLAYERS AND %pLAyHOusEs

by their friends as an evidence that they
are really alive to the demands OF their
art. Some few-oh. how fewi-American
actors have followed the true rule Of their
art. and in each and every Instance have
tried to give TO the people the individuality
OF the character rather than Of the man.
II is the art and the craft Of Porteus they
pursue; not satisfied with merely having a
part NJ them, they try to At the part. Can
you think Of Mansfield coming back year
after year. each time with a different name,
but always acting as he did when Beau
Brummel7 Do you like to contemplate Z.
II. sothern doing Francois villon with Lord
Chumley's drawl and vacant stare? These
names are only mentioned as examples.
men who have shown the true idea Of the
actors calling. and who have never allowed
themselves to become identified with a
single Part, because they have had the force
and the capacity to achieve new parts as
often as they took on new plays. That
other actors have lacked the energy, the
ability or the incentive to do this is to be
regretted, but II should not be charged to
the play writer. Every character save
those merely made to order has an individ-
uality. and the real actor will have no
trouble in developing It. It is only the So
Calleu SldT WHO can aIOrQ TO nave MS name
become identified with a single role, and
allow II to give its shape and tone to each
and every other role he undertakes. Act
ing ought to mean something more than
the mere projecting Of an actors personal
ity through the medium of words, phrases
and situations chosen and arranged to give
expression to that personality solely. Act
ing ought to mean that the actor has caught
the authors meaning, and is prepared to
give life to a creation that is separate and
distinct from all other creations, varying
as men and women vary In their manifesto
ton of the fundamental emotions and pas
sions. We hear too seldom nowadays that
So-and-so has been selected to create a
new part, and too often that So-and-So will
give a play in which the star part has been
expressly written to suit this great artists
temperament" A change In the order Of
things might rid the stage Of the presence
Of some men and women who haven't shown
much inclination to advance land this list
has In 1t some we'll known names), but Il
would stimulate the ambitious and would
In the long run be of much benefit to tho
stage, for 1t would revive the art Of acting.
From Denver comes the following an
nouncement of the progress made by that
excellent idea Of Mr.. Robert e. Bell, the
Sanatorium for Actors:
By May / the treasurer Of the C%onsump-
tive Actors sanatorium fund will undoubt-
eddy have In his possession not less than
$4,000 with which work on the sanatorium
may be commenced. A few weeks later a
commission Of the best physicians in the
country will decide upon the best location
for the sanatorium, and then. with the
acceptance of plans for the building, dirt
what will be the finest monument TO the
actors Of America which has ever been con-
ceiyed will be an assured fact.
Within the last few weeks the finishing
touches have been put on the sanatorium
plan. Robert f. Bell OF Denver. who con-
ceived the idea. and who has done an i'm.
toward completion. recently visited New
York. Chicago and other prominent eastern
cities, where he made arrangements fol
the monster benefit Entertainments which
Will be given in aid Of the fund;
In securing SOME of the most prominent
members of the profession to act on tbs
executive committee, which now has full
charge of the sanatorium project. OF thi.
Rev. Walter Bentley, one of the
best liked and most highly respected clergy
men In the metropolis, is chairman. anC
is well known to professional people, bein;
at the head of the Actors Church alliance
JensE meTpSI on ths GoH,inltIee are Auh
Professional Woman's league; Albert Borie
editor OF the New York Clipper; Charles
Burnham, manager OF Wallack's theater
who will act as treasurer pro TEN; Charlie
Farrell. editor OF the San Francisco Ora
matte Review and Peter McCourt, manag
Of the Broadway. Tabor Grand and Empir
theaters of Denver.
In order that the work may be well unde
way by mex fall the committee has dc
cided to hold, the first benefit performance
during the week of April 10 to Is. Mr.. Bel
/ has sent to the committee letters from tn
manager of nearly every theater in tn
country proffering the use of their house
for these performances. Actors and &C
, %tresses, managers of theatrical companies
musicians Vandayflla stars and all nrOnnf
nent members of the theatrical profession
have signlfed their eagerness TO lend
HAND In making the benefits a success, an
there Is no doubt that an enormous sun
will be realized.
In Chicago a monster benefit is TO b
given at the Auditorium theater and othe
, entertainments will be given at the Cri
ferion on the north side and the Bijou o.
the west side in order hat all the vas
} population may be reached. In New York
Boston and Philadelphia big benefits VII
be given and In ST. Louis the big exposition
building will be utilized. In Denver tn
members of the Chamber OF Commerce an
, the Commercial club, together with othe
= of the leading organizations of bushes
; men, will testify their appreciation of tn
1 enterprise of a western man by attendin
a the performance In a body.
I. The most conservative estimates of tn
I sum which will be realized during sana
forum week place the minimum at $500
. From the repertoire company playing on
! night stands to the most brilliant luml
I naries of the profession everyone Is de
termined that before another year is passe
worthy players afflicted with a diseas
. which is all too common among player
a properly cared for.