The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-02-14

Anew YORE Feb. 12.-James X.
liz Haekett brought "Joltn Ermine"
to US three months ago and we re-
iected it. He must have lost a deal OF
money through its failure. He brings
The Crown Prince to US this week
and we accept it.-He viii get a deal Of
money through its success. That is a
sordid valuation Of the two plays, and
not cOnsidsrate Of their clements of
worth and Worthlessntss. I Wouldn
De surprised TO know that Mr.. Hackett
would have preferred prosperity with
the piece 10 which IL was denied be-
cause John Ermine. the white-born
scout with an Indian rearing, was son
OF nature, the lover in an idyliic ro-
nance, a character with which any
actor Of culture and purpose would be
glad to triumph. But tc psople who
can't or won't look more than skin deep
into stage heroes. unless genius in the
author or the actor helps them 20, John
was q merely mel0dTamat fellow and
a dulIard at that. The fault lay with
the author, who was not explicit or
graphic n his language, and did not
provide any material with which the in
terpreter might expose Johns heart and
soul. If You had never seen Sir. Hack
aIiitics, you would have been warranted
an asking how on earth ne had acquired
his reputation.
Il have made the reason clear " by
Mr. Hacketts art proved unremunera-
tive IN John Ermine.'' / may proceed
to tell why he viii replenish his Golfers
with The Crown Prince" The condi-
ditions are different in every way. All
IS on the surface, requiring no thought
TO comprehend the meanings, with apt
wit and easy humor peryading the very
obvious sentiment and with never Il
tear to dampen the gaiety on either
side Of ele fOotlights. The net result
IS an entertainment which, here in New
York at least, is as popular at the front
of the parquet as at the rear Of the
gallery. Every inch and ounce Of the
play with which that can be accom-
plished is cOinable into dollars. And as
10 the fame Of the principal actor
well, it viii be extended on the level
and downward, if not upward. Indeed,
as a light comedian. almost q bUries-
quer, Mr.. Hackett should gain ground
with critical people in his present medi-
UNI, ana he does not deserve 10 lose any
through its suDerfcia!ity-
George II. Br0adhurst has been
known hitherto for faTces only. He has
now gone in the direction Of romantic
melOdrama, but has stopped judiciOusly
either by original plan or subsequent
change-at the happy medium Of fan
tastic comedy. His final intention,
however arrived at, was to satiTize the
kind Of stage fiction in which viTtUous
braves are let loose, sword in hand. 10
save lovely girls and slaughter ugly
sCOundUels. His composition, as deliV-
cred to audiences, is altogether q meT-
rymalzeT. The crown prince of Moran
tia goes to the capital of RhOdOiand in
cognito two days before the date set
for his formal betrOthai TO the young
queen. His errand in getting there I'M
known and ahead of time is 10 recover
4 stolen document which might raise
the devil ana all with the peace which
has been patched Up between the two
countries, and which is To be made per
mauent Dy a marriage of international
convenience. He has Il tWO-daV whirl
of adventures and is all the while SO
Jolly We are amused at every minute
Of his peril.