Omaha daily bee., 1906-12-16

1ICHARD MANsFTELD's annual
I'D visit TO Omaha was his most
A& successful ia every regard; from
49, a financial standpoint II was the
- biggest hit he ever made here,
while viewed artisticaliy Il surpasses any
thing he has ever achieved, at least 50
far az Omaha knows, and the intimate
acquaintance extends over a considerable
period OF years. Mr. Mansfield is now IN
tho very zenith OF his powers az an actor.
He has the physical strength 10 endure the
great strains he puts upon himself, and
the mental capacity to grasp and deal with
the tremendous problems he essays while
his perception 10 clear and his discern
ment Keen 80 that his efforts are directed
truly to the point intended and his results
are as certain as mathematical process.
In this plenitude Of his power for concep-
tion and expression he came TO us with
Peer Gynt," the greatest OF his achieve
ments from every point Of view. II was
a thoroughly deserved tribute 90 the genius
Of the man that the Boyd theater was
crowded to its utmost during his stay In
the city. A few years ago Mr.. Mansfield
was really struggling; he had not attained
tho. recognition for which he was fighting;
the topmost pinnacle Of fame and favor
in America was held by another. but this
man was uCAtIlllllAtu " lldht a llaN' A'A
himself than which none should be higher.
He came to Omaha one season and spent
some time hero, playing to wretchedly
poor houses, but giving each night that
same careful, studious, polished charac-
terization Of the individual nature he as
surned. What a treat Il was, even then, 10
see Mr. Brummel Baron Chevrial, Shy
lock, or any of the men he sought to IL
illuminate with his genius. Even Dick
DudEeon under his care rose from the
condition OF registering ne'erdowell sailor,
a goddess and graceless scamp and
became a hero, both physically and
morally Slowly the circle OF his ad-
mircrs widened. not only In Omaha, but
elsewhere, until the narh2 Of Mansfield is
the surest guerdon of a full Golfer the
manager can ask. It was Just before he
came to Omaha for the long stay men
toned that he had lectured the public over
the shoulders Of the people at Atlanta for
its Indifference to art Hoyt was the name
TO coniure with then, and "McFadden' ;
Row Of Flats" filled theaters in which the
company could not nowadays find an open
date. Richard Mansfield persisted in this
as he has in other things, and he no longer
need complain that his art is not appre-
ciatcd His difhculty now is that he can
not give enough performances to satisfy
the demand.
d
His career on the stage has been one OF
progress. ana this means for him goins
ahead Each season has seen at least one
important production, one new character
conquered and made part of the Mansfield
repertory. No other great actor in modern
times has so persistently and determinediy
followed this course. other men have beor
content to appear in roles with which they
and the public were familiar and In the hit
record OF many a one Of these 1t Is sci
forth that he enacted such and such role
70 many thousands Of times. Not Sc
with Mansheld he has looked steadily
forward, determined that he, should no
become part of any one character
in the whole realm Of plays, but tha
many characters should become his
that his name should be associated
with such a list of undertakings anC
achievements as would make him remem
bered as a creative genius. Even when III
reached the conclusion that he would taxi
a rest and announced his intention Of re
firing from the stage at the end of thre
years. OF which two have passed so far a
Omaha is concerned, he did not abandon
his purpose Of creating. Last season h
gave US Don Carlos" in such revival a
the merit of the play did not warrant bu
bringing out its artistic qualities into sucl
relief as redeemed It's other shortcoming
in a large measure This season II is Pee
Gynt," but all the time he is prepared Z
step into the garments and habits OF an
of his creations; Prince Otto or Cyranc
King Henry or Brutus, Dick DudBeon o
Beau 'Burmmcl, any Of the long line he
ready to do and does do. This Is his wor
and win be his monument.
-
Peer Gynt' presented physical as we
as artistic obstacles that looked insupei
able. II had been pronounced unactabk
Mr.. Mansfield has produced It, and wit
such genuine art that the stupendous ms
ture Of his achievement Is lost sight Of
the magnihcence Of the result. MOI
complete and genuine triumph could hard
be conceived without debate as to Il
dramatic worth Of the play, the fact tia
It has been put on the stage in the mann'
80 entirely satisfactory is in itself mo-
noteworthy. And, withal, Mr.. Mansfe
has succeeded I'm making tho lesson
peer Gynt" so plain that even the dulle
Of listeners can comprehend It. II is
sermon against the sin Of self
.
''I know thy works, that thou art neith
cold nor hot; / would that thou vert co
or hot So then because thou art lux
warm, and neither cold nor hot, will spe
thee out OF my mouth" This was the me
sage given the angel OF the Church of &
Iaodieeans TO write. II was hardly a nc
thought, even then. The lukewarm indivi
ual OF organisation has never been of use
force in the world and the Button Mold
has always been busy, Positive action o
way or the other is what is required. T
worldly-wise man, who, like Peer Gyl
undertakes to make his vices and his v
tues balance who has "a native baptiz
for each idol sold, and who gives gr
gratis 10 the slaves he sells, and snuff q
ditional 70 the widows, may convince hi
self that he Is doing all that is required
him. He IL literally following the Tr
maxim: "TroIl, TO thyself be enough d
ne is denying himself the sweetest part
existence. the share Of human love a
hope and misery ana despair and trium
and defeat that IS his heritage. Socie
may be founded on selhshness, hut II
the selfish desire for sympathy and asst
ance that holds It together, and the mer
neutral individual who accepts all and civ
nothing is doing nothing FOR society. %
n