New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-21
THE DRAMA.
RICHARD MANSFIELD.

80. xz-as ,roT.deds and the audience-amply rep
60. of the mind. The taste the culture the
s-.-,ont and the social splendor Of this great
-. tTo-sea an uncommoniy brilliant spectacle
80 -wzlcorned this eminent actor with arectionate
~-,-.ttv snd with many demonstrations of ardent
aa-oirat.oa MI Mansheld's impersonation of Brum-
v,el has been known to stage for fifteen years
O. -i.z-ed that part for the first time on Nav 49,
Iesa at the Madison Square Theatre and he has
Want Il IN his repertory ever since. The part is
300 one and the performance touches extremes of
Exceptional character eccentric conduct drolI hu-
NOR snd simple pathos The authorship Of the play
II ABeaD BTimmei' has been claimed by Mr. Clyde
Pitch ana Is commonly attributed 60 him; but. q
matter or Iact II had different origin-for MI
Fitch wrought upon an idea and a ground plan
that hao been furnished TO him. and much of
The piece. as it now stands was invented and
written by Mr.. Mansfield himself Even so 1t is
not thoroughly good play and, probably no one
bat Richard Mansfield could have vitazed it and
carried 1t TO the goal of enduring Its first
act is bright crisp. incisiye piquant replete with
character and emphatic with effect It's last act is
diversified with expressive incident touchingiy pic
foTial Of possible hardshps and miseries In actual
vicissitudes OF life. and exceedingly pathetic The
Intermediary acts are u gle and weak-the per-
implicated with ES arnuel being hrnsy and
tenuous and the energy Of the central character
being expended upon trifes The whole fabric of
the piece, however. is illumined and made potent
by the authoritative personality that Mr. Mans
field has impaired 10 Brummel. That IS the victo-
rious element Deep thought and wide and varied
experience shine through the actors creation (for
creation it is, having historic authenticity ex-
cept as 20 surface traits and that thought and
experience, the rich results of time. are, by his
exquisite art, crystallized distinct and i'm
pTesslVe image Of a genteman-the highest and
best title that any man can win.
This subject. in the long course of fifteen wears
during which time Mr.. Mansfield has risen to the
leadership of the American stage-has been much
considered in this place. The Beau BrunlrneI of
history Cl"S-ls40 was pictorial person. but not
essentially a dramatic one. The record of his life
Is one Of incidents and contrasts, of dramatic
action He was neither fool nor hero He did no
striking deed that was either conspicuousIy good or
evil He bore no part, except It were either orna-
mental or deplorable. in any scene whatever He
was simply a character. The dramatist should not
be censured, therefore for not at the same time
being ne to Brummels historic record and max
ing him a dramatic figure The task is impossible
Another and a different may be called by
BruInueFs name. put in his place, invested with
his attributes and environed with a plot; and out
Of the invented proceedings Of that fictitious in
dividual the fabric Of play might be constructed
Such an effort has been made. in this instance
An expert draTnatlst. having ample knowledge Of
human nature, minute acquaintance with society
and much reading well dgested could, perhaps
portray with adequate effect the spectacle OF Eng
lsh character and manners under the Regency, in
circles such as were frequented by Byron Sheridan
FOX, Lord Holland Lady Jersey. the famous Duke Of
York. or the beautiful Duchess of Devonshire. The
play moves II that direction does not reach to
SAID mat the only thing remarkable about him
a certain exquisite proprlety. There seems to
have been no extravaganza in his dress. He
insisted on having rainent that perfect of
its peculiar kind, and he appears have lived
chiefly for the purpose Of wearing it He had a
vel shaped head, cOnely face, a fair com
plexion fine person. and a pleasing voice. The
expression OF his mouth slightly sarcastic. His
features expressive. He moved with ease
He had way Of saying polite words if he did
mn -Trt-a mos 4nerr hal
taste was correct: he never used inharmonious
oolorS 5Ie thought-and said-that a gentleman
Cby which word he meant a man of fashion),
never attracts particular observation by his ap-
pearance. Fe graceful and distinguished. He
possessed talent for drawing and knowl-
edge OF music and he could turn a neat copy of
complimentary verse. His test OF character
cleanliness He could the weapon OF ridicule,
and his sarcasms well directed, Several FL
bred sayings (such WALES, ring the bell" ad-
dressed 10 the Prince Regent have been attribute
ed 10 him. that he never said: but the inquiry,
Who's your fat friend?', referring TO the same
person. seems TO be authentic. ''Civity" he used
TO say, costs nothing. and II it does not meet
with q due return, It at least leaves You in the
most credtable position" Mr. Mansfield has
seubled all these traits into one gem Of distin-
guished personality.-addjng to them sweet spirit,
a rnagnanirnous mind and the capability of heroic
self-saorihce for the sake of two young people
whom he loves,-and the result is Brammel ideal
lied.
Imagination and touches the is the pathos Of
an ignontnious and piteous close to a career once
prosperous and gay-this element, whether
ranted by fact or framed by fancy, being deduct
bic from contrast OF the brilliant gayety in which
he lived with the squalor and penury in which he
died. There is a story, told by Captain Jesse. in
his life of Brummel QS49. TO the effect that
once after his mind had begun TO break. and when
be lived no longer in the actual world but in
realm Of confused memories he was observed TO
Re greeting with elaborate ceremony, unseen
guests and speeches. VistantE, the courtly lords
and gorgeous ladies of his younger and better days
This situation provides the closing effect of the
play and obviously. this situation depends wholly
on the actor Of Brummel. A human wreck is al
ways pitiable but it becomes pathetic only when
halIovved. through association. with suggested
Renaissance of its former glory Mr.. Mansfield
denoted, by strange touch Of wild humor and in
strain Of CHASTITY significance not alone the haunted
isolation Of broken mind. but the impressive real
fly Of its vanished power
Most Of the auxiliar persons in the play are non
entities. where they devlste from actual car1ca-
In the Prince Of Wales afterward George
". and sn Richard Brinsley Sheridan The por-
traiture Of Sheridan is really a sin. Great zeal
and sincerity characterized the efforts OF the sub
sidisry actors in Mr. Manshelds populous and able
company. Mr. Edward Fitzgerald gave capital
performance of a Hebrew money-ender,-fuH Of
cupidity and serviiity, end OF a dry humor the
more effective because apparently spontaneous;
Miss Helen Glidden made the loQuacous Duchess
OF bennington probable and amusing; and Mr.
Andrews looked" Mortimer, the valet. if he did
not make much effect IN the acting OF it.
This then is the sum OF the whole subject. The
play Of Beau Brumme' is effective and full OF
promise al the beginning. thin and shallow in the
Middle dramatic and pathetic at the close, and.
ron first 10 last dependent not upon intrinsic
truth and power. but upon the actor who plays its
central part: and only an exceptional actor,