The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-09-22
Grand UutburstS of EnthuSi-
asm Greeted Him at the
Gennett Last Night.
MADE A CURTAIN SPEECH
1.-THE LAW AND THE MAN,
PROVES TO BE ONE OF THE
VERY BEST PLAYS THAT EVER
VISITED RICHMOND.

Wilton Lackaye sometime ago con
vinced Richmond theatre-goers that
he is a great actor. Last night he
demonstrated that he is even more.
He is an actor and dramatist And
such a dramatist that he may feel in
his work, the pride of one who pro-
duces something which will live after
he has gone. Lackaye appeared here
last night in his own vehicle, THE
Law and the Man. dramatization of
the famous novel, Les Miserables,
from the pen of Victor Hugo. The
occasion was one of the brightest
spots in Richmond's theatrical histo-
ry.
Things combined to make last night
a particularly pleasant one for Wilton
Lackaye. his company and the large
audience. Greater enthusiasm was
never manifested here before. Hardly
a strong scene in the play passed
without an outburst, and it was neces-
sary at the end of nearly every scene
for the actors to respond to curtain
calls At the close of the third act,
after being called before the curtain
six times, Mr.. Lackaye consented to
make a speech, in which he thanked
his auditors for their kind reception.
He said that it was the first time he
had ever appeared in Richmond as an
actor and dramatist, and then told of
why he produced the Law and the
Man." and the difficulties attendant
upon it.
Wanted to Portray "Jean Vatican"
He said that he had dramatiZed the
great novel principally because he de-
sired to portray Jean Vatican" as
Victor Hugo had depicted the charac-
ter. Mr.. Lackaye called attention
to the fact that many great dramatists
had failed in their efforts to dramat-
ize Les Miserables, adding that he
presumed he must be one of the fools
who had rushed in where angels
feared to tread
Mr.. Lackaye said that he had pro-
duced his play in opposition to those
who control things in the theatrical
world He said that he had worked
on the play with the thought con-
stantly in mind that there were many
theatrical patrons who would appre-
ciate something more than a clown
trying to see how far he could fall off
a ladder, without getting hurt
Stage settings and company add
much to THE Law and the Man"
while Lackaye's Interpretation of the
leading character is an evenings en-
tertainment in itself. There is but
one feeble criticism, and that is in the
stage setting 1t is not serious, but
should be corrected, if full effective
ness is to be lent to the first scene
in the last act Here a beautifully
attired bridal party at wedding supper
sit in room finely appointed. Ev-
erything should suggest grandeur, but
instead, the dining table is one which
has seen service in all manner of
cheap productions, while the chairs
can be bought at less than five dollars
per dozen, or else the purchaser gets
beat.
Mr.. Lackaye, please correct this
Treatment of the play and charac-
ters will be left to critics with bet
ter pens and more paper. But even
this comment would not be complete,
without a word of praise and thanks
to Mr.. Lackaye, for bringing to the
stage. in such an effective manner, a
work of literature that has been a
source of inspiration and pleasure to
many for years.