Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-01-29
AT THE PLAY HOUSES.


Charming" and delightful" are abused
adiectives, but they are used with unques-
toned propriety with reference to the per-
Torrance OF Rosemary by the Woodward
Stock company. This idyl OF sentiment is
given the careful and tender treatment 1t
deserves 1t is quite well agreed that no
more engaging and at the same time tech
nically satisfactory comcsy has been writ
ten for years. Its theme of bachelor middle
age falling in love with youth betrothcd
to another. but renouncing for honor's sake,
is touching and ennoblng. So clean, so
sweet so fresh is the play that it's appeal
is not to be resisted by hearts that yet
yield TO romance and minds that are not
dried and withered.
Mr.. Morrison's Sir Jasper Thorndyke is
artistic and satisfying to a minute degree.
He surprised his best admirers and most
enthusiastic friends. Sir Jasper is the CEN
trail figure You must feel for him and
sympathize with him or the play is thrown
away. Mr.. Morrison has one with him en-
tirely from the lighter first passages and
through his admiration and kindling love
for Dorothy; standing by and Offering an
approving, IL commiseratng hand during
the remuneration, and with a tear fifty
years later, when Jogram prophesied,
he is able to thank God for having had the
experience.
Particularly is the strength Of the actors
work shown in the last act when he has
to hold the interest of the audience by
simple monologue. The characterization
necessarily is delicate one. Even a wrong
infection or gesture might spoil it. Mr..
Morrison preserves the balance. In the
scene in the third act with Mr.. owen as
Jogram, both players rise to a point so
much above the ordinary accomplishments
OF like kind that it calls for marked
attention and commentator.
There is a delicacy about Miss Lang's
impersonation OF Dorothy that occupies
large section of the arc Of fragrance In
the play. After innumerable comedy parts
! this season she still finds something new
and appropriate to dover Dorothy. You
pity Sir Jasper much more because you
have very clear evidence the girl he gave
up was worthy of every heartbeat she in
| spired.
Mr.. Fulton comes to the front again In
cleverly executed conception of the role
Of Captain Cruickshank His old sea dog
is a character Interpretation rejecting
great credit upon the actor.
William 'Westwood Dorothys fiance, Is
young man upon whom is launched any
quantity OF jeers and unsympathetic laugh
ter from the audience. Mr. Todd is Will
liam. and though the latter appears in
very awkward light the actor is enabled
to exhibit pretty talent for juvenile roles.
Mr.. Owens Prof. Jogram Is study
| proving again the capacity of this actor
to create new individuals separate and
| apart. at will. The redundant old pendant
is a hard man to understand and much
harder man to portray. After fooling along
| for two acts without conspicuous aim or
purpose It is difficult to change the tone
| to the dramatic climax wherein the pro-
| fessor points out the way OF honor 10 his
old friend. Mr.. owen does 1t exceedingly
| we'll
| Mr.. Schofeld as George the post boy, and
Mr. Davies as Abraham give examples OF
finished character work. George is spe-
cially well delineated. He might have
stepped out of an old drawing Of the
period. Miss Ward is good as Mrs. Cruick-
shank and Miss Davis and Miss Hin are
acceptable IN small roles