Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-30
MANSFIELD'S CAREER
SUCCESS CAME AFTER LONG,
HARD LABOR.

Richard Manshslds first appearance be-
fore the public was in st. Georges Hail.
London. in 1S77, where he took a part in
musical entertainment. but failed to display
any indication OF the hlstrionic ability he
was to develop later in life. That first ap-
pearance may be set down as q failure but
Mansfield was not disheartened, and, al
though he met with many rebufrs, he trav-
eied through the English provinces playing
small parts In Gilbert and Sullivan's comic
operas Later he appeared in London in
comic opera. comedy and tragedy. but 1t
was not until 1882, when he came to this
country, that he made a mark which was
to endure in the theatrical world His
FIRST part here was as Dromez In the opera
Les ManteauX Noirs and he was fayorably
received. The year after that he made a
big hit at the Union Square Theater New
YORK. IN the character of Baron Chevrial,
the elderly roue in "A Partisan Romance"
al adaptation from the French.
After that the road was easier. From
1855 until 1880 he took more prominent
part on the boards. playing in the chief
cities of the United States. now and then
making success, but toiling along per-
s'stently toward his goal. Little by little he
won popularity, as 10 No in The Mikado'
AS Richard III, Shylock and in 9th IT
parts II was not until May 3, 1856, how
ever. that he began his career as a S ar
when. at the Madison Square Garden
Thester, New York, he played Prince
Karl
Mansfield was best known, perhaps. for
his characterization of DIR. Jekyll and Mr..
Hyde ia dramatiZed version of Steven
sons story. AS Richard III, Beau Brum-
Inei, Di'nmesdale. In his own version of
La SlaW's Arms and the Man; Cyrano de
BerscraC, Henry V. Monsieur Beaucaire.
Prince Heinrich. in "Old Heidelberg" and
Ivan the Terrible, he did probably his finest
acting though he was known also in many
other prominent figures in stage life.
Hostile Critics.
Mansfield was born on the Island of He
HIGHLAND May - 1857. His early youth he
spot in the United States. His mother
VAS Mine. Mansfield Rudersdorff the
singer Mansfield first tried his hand study
fns FOR the East Indian civil service after
which he went into business. but abandoned
this for literary and artistic work, at both
OF which he made comparative failures.
IL, some critics Mansfield was regarded as
tht. legitimate successor of Sir Henry Iry-
log the greatest of modern English actors
b. others he was not held in such high re-
gard. and by these critics he was described
rs q victim or mannerisms of speech ges-
lures ana information. But however critics
may differ as to Mansfeld's greatness as an
actor. he was always box-office success
Al time Mansfield was quoted as
making the following statement: Il am an
EGglishmsn by birth, but all my sympa-
thies and ambitions are American. The
great stumbling block to the American
ursfua Is the worship OF anything foreign.
For years Europe sneered at American
authors and actors. They have stopped
ROW But the snobs OF this country stiil
put on colored glasses before looking at
aaything native.
IF Henry Irving were announced to play.
In no matter what, he would be merited
with a 5000 house. Yet what is Irving =?
ae Is no better an actor than am. But he
Is a theatrical diplomat and has the art of
k19wing how to keep his name continually
before the public. He Is a stage mounte-
baak who knows how to break Into print
IuliaXsE tisements Of himself. But is that
we understand 1t? 1t savors too