New-York tribune., 1909-05-04
NEW PLAY AT THE LYRIC.
THE Great John Canton.

Mr. George Fawcett began an engagement al the
Lyric Theatre last night, producing play called
The Great John Canton" and acting the chief
part in il Mr.. Fawcett has long been known as
actor Of sterling talent, worthy ambition. and
energetic persistence. His audience gave him a
warm welcome and rewarded his excellent photo
graphic performance with hearty applause. The
play proceeds from the expert pen Of Mr.. J. Hart
ley Manners, and IS a colloqual synopsis of novel,
by Mr.. Arthur J. Eddy, entitled Canton < Goa
fiction relative to the character and affairs of
man Of large fortune, which has been derived from
the business Of the stOckyards Of Chicago. Canton
S one Of those iron men Of practical affairs,
cerning whom the public has OF late, received
Tlentitude OF information. Such persons are. Of
course. oniscient onniPotent auriferous. and sub
lime. but. possibly, they would be impressive
If they were less frequent. The magnate celebrated
in this instance IS the toughest kind Of rough dia
Tnond. possessing eyes Of steel and heart of flint
bur the eyes rnosten and the heart softens al the
night theatrical moment according to the custom
sry course Of Nature on the stage) and the great
Canton. after having been a harsh oppressor and
covetous, odious hunks, becomes, under the infiu-
enoe Of latent illness and awakened affection, At
last. an image of benignity-
The fable concerns the opposition Of Canton ana
his son, at affairs OF business and then in
affairs Of the heart-a posture Of circumstance
remotely reminiscent Of the antaSonism between
Old Osborne and his son George, in Trackeray's 5
great novel OF Vanity Fair" The younger Can
doing business, giving much offence thereby, and
presently he sti further iafuriates the old man
by afiancing himself to the lovely daughter of
man, deceased who has been his fathers foe and
most detested business rival The elimination is a
breach between the two Gantons, but later when
the younger man has met with financial disaster,
in speculation. the old far relents as 10
pay his debts before disinheritnE him The rather
inconsequent termination is a happy deliverauce
OF all troubles for all concerned Mr. Man
hers has used the materials Of fiction supplied by
Mr.. Eddy in such way as TO fabricate several
toierably effective theatrical situations. All the
plays Of this class however. are monotOnous. No
OF them contains anything like the fine .N-
Positions Of character and the pathetic reyealments
OF the depth of human nature that provided in
the old comedy (made by Thomas Holcroft, a hun
cred and seventeen years ago., Of 'The Road 10
Rum" play which. written on much higher
legel Is the precursor Of them all, In the treat
Of the beautiful theme OF paternal and 1Ial
affection
1t should be added that numerous audience. out
n sheer delight the spectacle, well presented
by Mr. Fawcett, OF the clash between brusque
logged brutal deraeanor against courtesy, conVen-
lonal manner and natural feeling, followed the
development OF n commonplace story with una
hated Interest, from the first moment TO the last
II Nr. Tawcet;-s impe.souation OF Canton is de
ieient % variety, that result IS due to the fact
that the dIematist has required him to do the
same thing over and and over again. The
Dart presents difficulties to An experienced actor