Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-11-12
Talk About Plays, Players and Payhouses
ak

MATIA was surely favored during
N the week in the way of attrac-
tions at the theaters. Four per-
formances by wilton IAcxaye
N'@ and three by Richard Mansfield
10 bill that ought TO satisfy the demand
for the higher class Of entertainment while
the Burwood and the Krug presented bills
equally worthy the attention Of those who
GEEK the lighter forms Of amusement at the
theater. The orpheum had its regular bill
OF merit and shared with the other thea
ters In the patronage that made the week
probably the most prosperous in the his
tory Of the local stage. The patronage OF
the Lackaye and Mansfield engagements
proves again that Omaha has plenty OF
money for the genuine attractions. The
artistic merit of these is fully understood.
and that they are fully Appreciated Is
equally apparent Thus far the promises
Of the managers that Omaha would have
a brilliant season have been redeemed, and
the prospect FOR the remaining months
are for things equally good.
Just to what extent the American stage
is Indebted to Richard Mansfield will likely
never be known, for II is impossible to
compute the exact or even approximate
extent Of the influence Of the humblest in
divldual who earnestly tries, let alone that
OF the man who has by sheer EFFORT forced
himself to the very front of the procession.
Mr.. Mansfield's success has been due as
much to hard work as to anything else.
He has happily linked capacity to deter
mination, and of the two has made sue
cess. His achievements are known. These
easily constitute a record of triumphs that
any man, however great, might be proud
Of but 1t is to his indirect triumphs that
one must turn to form an adequate idea
Of Mr.. Mansheld's real service to his call
Ing and to literature. His own aims are
the highest possible: his endeavor has
always been towards a pure ideal, and his
activities have been enlisted in the cause
of the best. His established policy is to
bring each year to the stage some new
production of the literature of the world,
a play that deserves the attention and
serious consideration of a master, and the
Illuminating results he achieves are the
factors of his greatness. His service lies
in the fact that he resolutely takes his art
to those who cannot come to him. Thus
in an overwhelming circle does the per-
sonality of Richard Mansfield reach out in
its effort in behalf OF the really good in
literature and art. His tangible triumphs
are small indeed when ranged alongside
his influence In the cause Of culture and
refinement, and the debt literature and art
owe to him will never be computed. much
less paid.
1t doesn't very often happen that an actor
does his work so well that he suffers in the
estimation Of the public. This. of course.
excludes the fair-faced. good-natured gen.
tlemen who daub themselves with blue
paint to initiate an unshaven beard and
hat ywvfth
and hiss and grunt and gurgie through the
thrilers. The better these gentlemen do
their work the more certain they are to be
condemned by 1.-THE critics who sit in the
gallery in the old town hall" But for an
artist who is really endeavoring and 'appar-
emily accomplishing most satisfactory re-
suits, to be so much misunderstood as was
Jane Oaker in her presentation OF Laura
Dearborn in "The Pit" is almost mis-
fortune. Handicapped at the outset by the
fact that the character is indistinctly out
lined by the author the actress finds her
self compelled to start de novo in preparing
the part for - stage. AS a psychological
study the role presents unusual difficulties
for the reason that It is so shallow 1t offers
nothing for a foundation. Specifically
Laura Dearborn is disconnected girl, who
has been spoiled by the adulation Of a
number Of well-meaning friends. She is af-
fected. insincere and wholly unworthy Of
attention, but the author, by one of those
strange whims, has chosen to have her
sought out by his hero and others. This
pursuit adds to her preconceived notion OF
her individual deserts, and she tries to live
up to her lights. Her indecislon is the evil
dence of her undeveloped mind; her vacil-
lating course is plainly the result of her
inability TO conceive or understand a deer
motive for anything. Her professed love
for Curtis Jadwin is in no sense the deer
and controlling passion looked for in ma
tered woman. II is not sufficient to hold
her close to his side; her determination not
to elope with Corthell arises more from
love Of herself than for Jadwin, and that
strange liberty that authors sometimes take
with characters forcing them to conduct
that is not at all in line with past behavior
Laura Dearborn is simply a type OF the
silly, immature woman whose vanity leads
her into many eNtravagances, and whose
lack OF common sense prevents her from
coming to an absolute decision in regard &c
anything. The world has many of them
and many men OF the same stripe.
Miss oaker seems to have fully realized
all Of these parts OF the character, anS
with an infinitude of pains has given then
life and action. She dawdles in an affecte,
way, speaks with an unpleasant drawl I,
her tone, and generally demeans herself s.
as TO earn the honest disapprobation o
nlne-tenths Of her audience. Many Of these
thoughtless perhaps, have conceived Laur,
Dearborn as a high-souled, healthy-mindei
girl. MT to be a companion for a ma
among men. and for this reason are dis
appointed at the picture offered. II is no
in any way attractive, and yet as an ar
study and character It is quite as effectiv
as Mr. Lackaye's conception OF Curt
Jadwin. Miss Oaker may suffer to som
extent because she has made the characte
near to what IL ought to be accordin
to the indefinite notion afforded by tn
author but she gains immensely in he
artistic stature by doing 81.
-
Mr.. Lackaye had all the advantage O
Miss Oaker in this regard. for the sym
pathy Of the public goes out 10 Curt
Jadwin. and people who. normally, woul
condemn gambling. follow his operation
with the intensest interest. simply becaus
he has the human touch. He is a big ma
with a quiet way and determined manne
and that is what is most admired by III