Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-24


through force Of circumstances. but be-
cause he has always been fond OF the
theater. and from the earliest of his boy
hood days In his native city of Brook
Iyn possessed an ambition to serve the
stage as a player. After leaving college
he explained his intention to his family.
who raised no objections to the pursuit
of his inclinations. His first engagement
was secured with Richard Mansfield and
the two years that he was under the
tutelsge of that admirable American ac-
tor were not only exceedingly valuable
In their training. but very delightful as
a professional experience. Many stories
have been recounted about the attitude OF
Mr.. Mansfield toward his associates, but
Mr.. Duncan asserts that he found Mr..
Mansfield just the opposite of the popu
lar conception In some quarters. While
serving his apprenticeship with Mansfield
this young actor appeared in the entire
Msnsfeldian repertoire, in addition to the
sumptuous productions of "Cyrano de
Bergerac' and Henry "" which were
the two pieces de resistance during those
seasons OF Mansf1eld's career. At the be-
ginning of his third year on the stage
Duncan had advanced to the position OF
leading man for Gertrude Coghlan- who
was starring In Julia Marlowes play Of
--Colinette," in which he portrayed the
role of the lover. After leaving Miss
Coghlan's company he was engaged by
Amelia Bingham for her production OF
The Climbers" and then he joined vir-
sinia Harneds company as leading Juye-
nile for her season in The Light That
Lies in Womans Eyes" Iris and Ca
mile" His next venture was In the pro-
duction OF The Raven by Maurice
Campbell, the husband of Henrietta Cros-
man, which was based upon the life Of
Edgar Allen Poe. Frederick Lewis played
the part OF the poet. but the piece was
too gloomy to become popular. He opened
the season last year with Thomas Jener-
I'll III to, III nh hA
was seen at the New National Theater in
this city, and later hs left the company
for the new play Lincoln" historical
piece based upon incidents In the life OF
the martyr President. The play was writ
ten by Benjamin Chaplin. who portrayed
the role of President Lincoln. the produce
ton being made at the Liberty Theater
in New York city. Duncan created the
part of Capt. Bixby, U. 8. A. 1t was the
most important thing he had ever done In
New York. Mark Twain occupied a box
on the evenin~ OF the premiere, and after
the last act expressed a wish to go back
of the scenes and meet the young actor
playing the army officer. When Mark
Twain met young Duncan the humorist
said: Mr.. Duncan, l am glad of the OPP
portunity OF meeting such a clever young
player. During the progress of the play
IL seemed as though you were bound to
lose your life. and for a while despaired
of the opportunity of talking with you.
Fortunately, in the working out of the
plot your life was spared and the pleas
ure ! craved was reserved for me-. This
role stamped Duncan upon the attention
of Broadway as a Juvenile man OF great
possibilities. The play had attracted the
notice of nearly every manager in the
metropolis because the leading part was
portrayed by the author, who had up to
that time never been seen on the New
York stage. 1t led to several important
offers from various managers for next
season for Mr.. Duncan, but the one
which he accepted came from Henry B.
Harris, with whom he signed contract
TO appear in the principal Juvenile role in
Charles Klein's successful piece, The
Lion and the Mouse" which, with Peter
Pan" and The Girl of the Golden West"
season. Mr.. Duncan will take the part
created by Richard Bennett, who has now
gone to London for the British produc-
ton of the piece. Mr.. Harris was anxious
to secure the services of Mr.. Duncan for
the summer run of the play, but the actor
had already signed a contract with
Messrs. Luckett & Standing for the sum-
mer season at the Columbia, and William
Courtney had to be temporarily engaged
secure his release. Mr.. Duncan is now
filing his third successive summer en-
gagement in Washington. He was with
the Arden stock company at the Columbia
two summers ago and was leading juve-
nile with the Standing stock company at
the same playhouse last summer. He has
become great favorite with Washington
playgoers and some of his very best work
has been seen here. Among his finest
creations have been tho parts of Teddy
Langham IN Soldiers of Fortune and
Lionel Cartaret in Mrs. Danes Defense"
These two roles have indicated a wide
range Of talent.