Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-13

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IW ity" as applied to plays7 What
Is the subtle essence that secures
IElSEe5I for the successful drama its hold
49, on the people. and saves 1t from
generation TO generation, as fresh and
dustless In its texture as II II had just
come from its makers hand? Almost IA
years ago "she Stops to Conquer was
hailed as a success in London. II was
presented at Covent Garden and was an
instantaneous hit That the managers OF
that time were no more perspicaolous than
they are today IS evinced by the history
Of the piece, which was banded about
from one to another, each deciding that
1t lacked the qualities that would enlist
public attention. II was too simple; 1t
was deficient in its dramatic effect. and
II did not possess elements deemed to be
vitality essential by the quid huncs Of the
day. Finally David Garrick, touched by
the condition Of his friend, agreed to give
the piece a trial. Its rehearsals promised
little more than It's reading; but the first
performance found 1t placed where 1t has
ever since remained, in the front rank.
1t Is now cited as one Of the finest ex-
amples of English comedy. Managers are
no wiser nowadays than they were In the
days of the third George and have made
Immortality is stil unsolved.
1t is not all likely that the fine old comedy
ever had such loving treatment as that
given 1t by the company which presented
1t at the Boyd on Friday and Saturday
evenings. Mr.. william II. Crane has been
q well-spring OF delight to his American
friends for so many years that man less
sensitive than he would not care to have
their number set down in print. Yet his
bouyant spirits have kept him in that state
of mellow ripeness for so long a time that
he cares no more for the added tale Of a
few years than does the youngster who
first essays his oyster knife upon the world.
He has those qualities of mind and heart
that have singled him out from his fellows
and distinguished him as a man kissed
by the gods" and destined to shed the
sunshine Of his CHEEKY nature over world
that is too much given to gloom. 1t is
quite conceivable that Goldsmith had just
such a character in mind when he wrote
Hardcastle's part. 1t Is the character of a
sunny, genially disposed man, who wouldn t
spoil a good joke for almost anything. and
who could afford to occasionally pocket his
dignity. To exactly embody the idea of
the author the actor is required to know
quite a bit OF human nature Hardcastle
couldn't quite understand at first the snubs
of the young men from London nor did he
quite appreciate the true condition until
he learned OF the part his graceless step
son, Tony Dumplxin, had played in the
mess But he was gentleman and full
of the notions OF hosts duty, and natur-
ally hospitable. His discontinue at the
first encounter with the son of his old
friend was more than compensated by the
AFFECTION of that young gentleman when
he found out the deception that had been
practiced upon him. But Hardcastle is by
no means the epitome Of Crane.
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What n long list OF names we have
known him by during these years OF his
Jovial activity on the stage! What a
Proteus he has been! And through It all,
Just simply Billy Crane. A man without
notions, without fads. but with a whole
some and abiding faith in his kind and a
fund OF common sense big enough to stock
several ordinary heads. He has brought
to his work this quality and has endowed
his roles with that SAVIOR of rugged good
sense that has made even the most trivial
Of them stand out strong and clear, and
has brought them closer to the people
as men worth while. And through it all
has shone the personality OF Crane, the
artist, the man, the sturdy fellow worker
with others in the great effort to make the
Ntqrld better and life brighter as we live.
Miss Ellis Jeffreys came heralded as
England's leading living actress. She IS
the latest OF the list who have come to us
80 announced. Miss Terry, Mrs. Camp
bell, Mrs. Langtry and others have visited
the western world, each predicating her
claim for recognition on the proposition
that she was foremost among the women
on the stage across the drink. In many
ways Miss Jeffreys sustained the promise
OF the advance man. but she will have to
come again and again IL she dislodges the
impression made by Mrs. Campbell during
her last visit to Omaha. 1t is, TO be sure
UNFAIR to compare Kate Hardcastle &c
Eva Tan Tanqueray or any of the Other
women Mrs. Campbell made live for us, anC
for that reason Miss Jeffreys should b,
gwen full credit for her excellent work II
part that scarcely calls for stellar talent
She has charms Of person and voice tina
indicate her possibilities in a role tina
would give her scope for the exercise Of he
undoubted ability. Gracious and charming
with a vivacity that is at no times forced
and gift of fun that seems to be but tn
effervescence OF her natural spirits. she i
all that could be wished for in the littl
part. and enough 20 make one long 70 Sc
her In something more nearly her size.
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Fannie Addison PITT, one OF the links tina
bind the new to the old in the stage world
Is most tllustrious example of the ar
that is passing on the stage ard an ilu
. minating instance Of the adaptability Of tn
actor who has been thoroughly schoo.ed 4
the ways Of the theater She belongs I'm
measure TO another day at the theater bu
WHY BE SOTHIN?