The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-12
From the Kansas City Star.

From the Kansas City Star.
 @ ICHARD MANSFIELD died at the {" threshold of a new theatrical N season. If you would take general measure of his importance to the stage, individual or relative, contemplate that season without him. It Is true that one man does not constitute nauonal stage, nor can one man make himself in- dispensable to 1t; but in every proies- sion there are, or should be, certain reo- resentatives standing forth as splendid examples of the possibilities of that pro- fession Times change, and with them standards alter; but each generation ac- cordng to its progress, has It's exalted opponents of art.
 For the first time in the memory or playgoers now living the American stage is without a strong, dominating actor or group of actors. The elder Booth' al though an Englishman by birth, was an American by adoption, and he held pre- eminent sway. For a time Forrest ana Cushman were the great stars. The younger Booths were splendid figures ana Edwin earned and achieved distinction
 
 American player, although high honors were shared by John Mccullough ana Lawrence Barrett, and by Jefferson m the field of comedy. Since the death or Barrett, Richard Mansfield has been re- parded as the most important actor of serious roles, and since the deatn or 1el- ferson there has been no one even m comedy. to dispute the authority of his position.
 Now that Mansfield Is dead. there IS on one who can consistently claim pre-emi- nence much less the eminence he at tained It is not impossible to harmonize this fact with an optimistic view Of une theatre for general conditions may pc good without the continuous development of very great players. However, 1t IS matter for regret that the stage IS lett without an actor of such power and dis- tinction as to hold a strong international reputation. And it is to be feared that conditions in the last score of years have not been such as to develop the finest possibilities of the histronic art. For that matter Mansfield himself missed much by a lack of thorough schooling Had he been trained more severely before ne achieved his first great success he woulo have been a more finished actor liner judge of dramatic values and of his own powers and limitations, a stronger mas ter of the unities.
 The American stage was never better equipped for the presentation of the moo- ern drama, whether it be a play of man ners or an exposition of social problems than it is now And who shall say, after all, that it does not require as fine an art to reflect the veHties about us as it does to Illumine the poetry, the romance or the tragedy of remote setting? But tradition has it that those make the most lasting history who distinguish themselves in the classics or in modern plays more or less classic in form or workmanship than those who merely reflect, in the more sub dued and natural way. the thought and feeling of their own time. So, it IS natural to look about for players who have distinguished themselves, along the lines blazed by illustrous precedent.
 And by this standard it may be said that MT. Sothern, Mir Skinner. MT. Crane, Mr. James and MT. Mantell have done some things so well as to be entitled to hish consideration; but their average has not been extraordinary; they have never gained authoritative sway, and not one or them gives promise of anything better Tor the future.
 At this time the women of the American stage have the lead over the men, at least if the standard of Judgment IS broadened to include the most preten- tious of modern plays Although MISS Rehan's career is practically ended, she is still on the stage, and she deserves her place for what she has been-the finest American comedienne of her time. For many years Miss Marlowe has been the best exponent of Shakespeare, man or woman. on the American stage. And right now she is entitled, by the laws or traditional measurement to be called Americas foremost player. By common consent Mrs. Fiske Is given high rank, but by critical judgment 1t is hard to rate her, for she has done some things as i'll as she has done others well. Miss Adams, by series of successes, but | Il. -... A. t-y.