The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-25
MONTGOMERY THEATRE.
Lewis Morrison as Mephisto at Two
 Performances.


 Montgomery audiences paid tribute to the art of Lewis Morrison at the Mont gomery Theatre yesterday afternoon and last night, when he appeared for the eighteenth season as Mephisto in Faust"
 The Mephisto of Mir. Morrison is a classic. It has brought him undying fame and much money and 1t never grows stale to persons who enjoy the true and the good.
 The production of Faust" and the ai- tistic portrayal of Mephisto by MT. Moi rison invites analysis, and yet 1t dehes the very thing 1t invites. The keen ln- tellect, the subtle force and the clear cut expression of MT. Morrison awakans every faculty and produces an illusion so startling, so vivid, that 1t stupefieS. He has played the devil' so many years that he presents the ghastly picture with terrible realism.
 There was a time when MT. Morris ,n employed an understudy. This led to the accusation that MT. Morrison had re- tired, and that the understudy was ad- vertised as the veteran actor From tie moment that he entered the stage yeS- terday all doubt as to the real Morrison was dispelled. That hollow laugh, that demoniacal smile, that rigid finger Of scorn, that imperious manner, that wch- derfully modulated voice, that remark ably clever reading of lyrical lines, pro- claimed the identity of the man, the great Mephisto of the drama.
 In some respects the Faust" produc- ton of this season is better than before. In other respects 1t Is not so good. The weird Brocken scene seemed more ci- fective than ever before, and the shade and scenic effects were superior.
 The company was not the best MT. Morrison has had. There have been bel- ter Faust's than MT. Elsner. whom we have seen before. He is strenuous In his romanticism a sort of swashbucAlei without sword. He needs to tone down. Defamation has spoiled many well-in- tentioned act or. MT. Nc rrison might cast MT. Trimhle Tor "Fe ust" with profit. He is decidedly more of an artist
 Miss Eloisa Elliston, perfect blonde by nature, gave us an acceptable Mal- guer1te. which is not to say there has beer seen much better. Her scene in the garden was especially good.
 The other members of the company did the little provided for them about as well as 1t was intended. The male quartette gave great pleasure.
 To those who have enjoyed the clever = ness of MT. Morrison 1t will be a source of regret to know that a terrible afflic- ton has bcfallen him. He Is hopelesslg deaf Four years ago when his private car was burned in a railroad wreck, MT. Morrison came near losing his life. Burn ing cinders filled his face, eyes and ears. The drums of his ears were destroyed. and he will never hear again.
 Next year." said the veteran actor to me last night as I sat in his dressing room. T shall rest" The following year I will produce The Master of Cere- monies a beautiful piece, which have owned five years. I produced 1t in Bos- ton and 1t was a great success.
 But" he went on, somewhat sadly. Tt Is doubtful if the public will let me get away from this thing, this devil bus mess. They seem to want it and we actors have to give them what they want"
 You have made a great deal of money with 'Faust'?" I interposed.
 Tt has been my fortune. and my mis- fortune" MT. Morrison replied. sadly. T have made two fortunes out of it. but 1t has undone me as an actor. They tell me can't play anything else, but know better"
 This was shrilled with the voice of Me phisto.
 Let me see," he went on reminis- gently, "I brought out Faust in Chicago just eighteen years ago. l lost lots of money on 1t and my friends begged me to desist, saying 1t went over the heads of the people. I hed confidence i'll the intelligence of the people, and I kept on. Finally they came to it, and now they won't let me quit 1t.
 Faust grows on one. It is remarka- ble for it's depth. It is-"
 Mir Morrison was called for his stage entry.
 "Good-bye," he said. taking my hand. May you never be any closer to the devil than you are now"