New-York tribune., 1905-12-19
THE DRAMA.
MIR. wTLLARn's PERFORMANCES.
Limmason and Goldfnch.

Tn the New-Arlsterdam Theatre last night MI
Willard acted Austin Lnmason, in The Man VINO
Was and Benjamin Goldfnch. in a Falr %
Spectaces" The first of these plays IS theali4SIi
eptome of story by Mr.. Kipling. The SECOND ls
MT Grundy's charming comedy, of remote freiieA
origin in which Mr. John Hare's personauon Oh
Benjamin Goldhnch-exquisite. alike IN ~ tas,e'
humor and tenderness-long ago fascinated the
public, both sides of the ocean ana Is Ieiiie
bered as a supreme example of beautlful art Ai'
posture of romantic and pathetic circuhlslahSes "
MI Kipling's story is more impressive upon tiie
ina gination of a reader than it is upon 'he ,
perception of a spectator; but 1t contains wen
contrIved situation and in this Mr. Wlllalu' I'M
personating the broken soldier escaped from P'lso
after long captivity and terrible and consuming
hardship and suffering-a forlorn, starved nan
deIirious wretch, the utter wreck OF manhoou-
patheticaIy simulated the cropping movements OF
returning reason and the reinvestiture OF humanity
The gradual recognition of familiar objects.
the response of the nervous system to the sound of
music and the slow recovery of speech were ali
wonderfully we'll done. It a complete triumph
of acting.
Mr. Grundy's play has been known on our stase
for than ten years. Mr.. ]. H. Stoddart' acuhs
under the late A. NJ. Palmers management was
the first representative hero of the part OF 6enla-
min Goldfnch. Mr.. Hare acted the part mere on
January g. 1896. He the original OF 1t III
England. and has been greatly successful IN lt-as
he continues to be; and his personation reinai"'
unrivalled The central idea of this play was sus-
gested. many years ago, in a sketch caled ~
bottoms Spectacles.'' by George William Gurus
being chapter of his ''Prue and 1. generous
truthful man, in the comedy. borroWs tue Spe|7
tacles of a suspicious, niggardly brother,-graou-
ally adopting that brothers habit OF d1stust,-
and. whereas, hitherto, he has looked upon ne
with kindness, he now sees everything through d
false medium, suspects all persons of selfish ana
evil designs and concludes that the world is fun
of rascals This alteration, however, is only tenn
porary and. after experiences which are equally
humorous and touching he reverts to the use OF hs
own vision, and once more beholds mankind with
love and sympathy. The play is ingenious, hu~
morous bright and clean. moving briskly' lmph-
eating various and natural characters, and difus-
ing lovely spirit of kindness and cheer
The part of Benjamin C1oldfnch is not easy OF
effective representation, for the reason that its
dominant attributes. which those of benevoence
purity simplicity, and sweetness, are passive not
trenchant and cannot be made piduant. except by
uncommon charm of sympathetic temperament
Mr. willards acting has always been exceptionally
fine in it's elements of homey virtue, moral ferFo''
unconscious humor, and quaint wh1mslcahIS' nc
COMPLETELY blends himself with the cnaIH1tei u
C.oldfnck and he affords dramatic CONTRAST. at
o b,n,orors and lovable, between vigilant mis-
o,tbronv and bland ingenious. confidng innocence
He actAd under some constraint, visible at nrst'
but this soon wore away, and his serene benlsrhtF
soop made itself deeply felt. He will, no doubt
reveal a more brisk and nimble alacrity OF move
ment and more bird-like joyousness as he grows IN
familiarity with the character. Mr. Ernest etatoro
made a creditable effort as Uncle Gregory. The
nzrt almost carries itself. The audience evinced
delight with both the play and the acting of it
The entire meaning of the comedy is crystall2eo
in four lines of an old poem;
And mourn that trust and thaf b ..1,cf, deoeiyns
Had blest your life with true believing