The Washington times., 1905-10-10
CRANE SEEN AGAIN
IN TYPICAL PART
Captivated His Audience in
"An American Lord"
BIG CROWD AT NATIONAL
Play Good Vehicle for Sterling Actor
In Role of Bluff, Honest
Yankee

A Dig audience, full of enthusiasm.
greeted William II. Crane last night at
the New National in his play. "An
American Lord" by Charles T. Dazey
ana George H. Broadhurst Mr.. Crane
was repeatedly called before the curtain
ana was given in every way reception
ihoicative of the high esteem in which
ne is neid by American theatergocrs
III MS new play. he is given every op-
poItunity possible to display his peculiar T
gl1ts as humorist and impersonator Of
me me; oiur, straightforward American cit
zen; lndeed, he is on the stage prac-
ucaiiy throughout the performances and
Mith lew exceptions, he is the show, the
- An American Lord" is John Breuster
who, while In a town which he has built
IN Dakota. is told that he is the heir to
d d utie IN England Although he hates
Engnsnmen ~ and titles. he is persuaded
or showing the English how an estate
should be run in an up-to-date Ameri-
can way. In order to do this, he refuses
nomination for Congress.
Great Crane Vehicle.
After he gets to England his heart
fails him and he decides TO return TO
America. In the meantime, however,
he has become engaged to an Irish
WIDOW and his children have arranged
TO marry English people
The play. while lacking in close log
ical construction, is a great vehicle for
the Crane character. He is the good.
spontaneous, resourceful American. full
or wit and proverbs. showing that he
IS true blue at bottom. In the part Mr.
Srane keeps his audience laughing His
facial expressions are unsurpassed. and
MS quaint resignation to the inevita BILE
when he finds certain things against
him Is winning in the extreme
he
the elopement of his daughter with an
EngnShman. he is inimitable combin-
ing; as he does. real, strong comedy
with the exciting moments when his
resourcefulness and timely action alone
make the eiopement success
Comedy Throughout.
Altogether. this is a role in which Mr..
Cranes friends like to see him. II gives
him full sweep for his comedy gifts,
and this. pparently. is what his ad-
mirers want
This new play is Crane part, with a
few others thrown in to make up the
action, and Mr.. Crane nobly acouits
nimsei OF his task of making the per
formance a spontaneous success.
MISS H:ida Spong, as the Irish widow,
with sight but charming brogue. did
excellent work. supporting Mr.. Crane
comedy IN finished and breezy fashion
Miss Rosalind Coghlan was also good
as Alice Breuster.
Blakemore Good.
Harry Blakemore made a distinctly
favorable impression in his impersona-
ton of Scott. colored servant, giving
the character life and reality.
Frederick Tiden was effective as the
Hon. Richard Westb.ooke
Two characters. which brought out
much fun, were Before-the-draw Pete
and Texas. two typical Wes.er cow
boys. whose bewildermeat at the swell
charity ball in Sussex, England, was
perfect. The parts were played by Elmer
Grandin and Emmett Whitney
Messrs. Dazey and Broadhurst the
authors Of the play, had box. Others
in the audience were Dr. and Mrs Nc
Donald Lieut.. and Mrs. Downs Wilson,
U. S. N. and Mr.. and Mrs. Craigen.