Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-05

by Tom Taylor. The cast:
Asa Asa T DHnJhrsaFy Mr.; s9shsrn
Sir Edward Trenchard ...............
Mr.. william Harris
Eeutenant Vernon .....: Mr.. P. J. Kelly
captain De Boots .... Mr.. MilanO TIlden
Mr.. Richard Coyle- .... Mr.. John Taylor
Abel Murcott -. Mr.. Maloorm Bradley
Binney -........... Mr.. rowland Blackstone
Florence Trenchard = Miss Helen Head
Mary Meredith Miss Virginia Harmon
Mrs. Montchessington ...................
-.....-...'s.. Miss Ina Goldsmith
Georgina .............. Miss Gladys Hanson
AUGUSTA ..........--..... Miss Loretta Healy
shsrpe .-.-.-..-.... Miss Katherine Wilson
SAhtet '--.-......-..---... Miss Ethel Gray
Lord Dundreary was just beginning to
assume the Importance that made his
presentation the Tifework Of his creator
when the heart Of E A. sothern was made
glad by the advent OF a boy who now. in
his years of mature manhood. has devoted
much time to a revival Of the role that
made his fathers name a veritable house
hold word. not only in his day but since.
even down TO the present time. For Dun
dreary is a classic among American humor.
and belongs to the epoch of American let
ters that gave to the world a distinctly
American school OF humor. with such ex-
emplars as ARENAS Ward. Josh Billings,
Petroleum v. Nasty. Mrs. Darlington. the
Danbury News Man and others. and that
most glorious and blessed Of them all. who
survives unto this day. and may his
shadow never grow smailer-Mark Twain
Dundreary's sayings and doings have been
well known TO many thousands who never
had the delight OF seeing the elder Sothern
in the role. and yet many thousands who
aid are extracting almost equal delight
from seeing the son IN his fathers stead.
while the sayings and doings show they
have the immortal quality of good fun by
proving as good naturedly laughabIe to-
day as they were fifty years ago.
Mr.. SOthern closed his engagement in
Omaha by presenting his reproduction Of
his fathers famous constructive comedy
effort. 1t is most rev erentially done, even
to the elaborate touches that round out and
FIJI in the gaps that are left by the modifi-
cation OF what was at first a rather crude
comedy. but was later made over into 4
play without a plot, but with a central
figure that needs no plot to give 1t value.
At such points as he was uncertain Of.
Mr.. Sothern has made no effort to increase
the scope OF the part, but has contentsd
himself with preserving its essential fea-
lures. II is absurd to undertake. a COM
parison Of his work with that OF his father.
The elder sothern Is nearly thirty years
dead. and the play has not been offered
IN more than twenty-five years. so that
even those who saw the original can have
but a vague and nebulous recollection of
its details. But the rich humOr that made
two nations laugh at the conceit still per
sists, and its quality mas suffered none
through the melloving years. Tom Taylor
did not intend that Dundreary should
amount 20 much: Sothsrn's natural capacfty
as an actor turned the current OF the play
into another channel. and while the name
/ Of Taylor still cllngs 10 II as author. the
play is known only because Of the actor.
Mr.. Z. H. Sothern has a wonderful gift
for comedy; and he has the excellent sense
TO not let his more serious work interfere
with his capacity in this direction. So he
enters on the presentation OF Dundreary
with All the JUNCTION and zest that might
mark his efforts were he merely seeking
fame as a provoksr Of laughter. II Is some
thing Of a shock 20 contrast the melancholy
Danish metaphysicisn or the astute and
d~ignified French diplomatist with this fop-
pish English dandy. with his most ridiculous
ways, but they are creations OF the same
busy brain. and their successful achieve
ment is but another tribute to- the mental
and artistic stature Of the actor. Mr..
Sothern is surely growing In his art.
Dundreary is surrounded by players who
leave undone little that would contribute
20 the success OF the comedy. and the re-
suit Is success In every way. The setting
Of the play is in keeping with everything
Mr. SOthem has done since he attained
stellar eminenee, and IL perfect in all its
details. The audience last night was per
haps the largest OF the engagement, and
evineed its enjoyment most audibly. Cur
tain calls we're numerous and in every pos
sible way appreciation was made apparent
SeaIdsd by steam