New-York tribune., 1909-01-16
THE DRAM 4
MR.. FAvERSEAM AT DALY'S.
"The Barber of New Orleans.

Mr. Faversharn. who has for some time been act
ing at Daly's Theatre, In an English version OF
Mr. Echegarys drama of The World and HIS
Whe." and Who acted there last night In a play
called The Barter o: New Orleans has made
oennite and auspiciOus mark a representative
OF what can. perhaps. accurately be designated
heroic character IN romantic drama. The force OF
ms personality. the variety of his professional re-
source. and the sincerity of his purpose have be-
come more and more impressive. the oftener he
has been seen He shows himself to possess many
qualifications for tn line of character thus de-
noted: commanding person. an expressive coun-
tenance a coplOus and sympathetic voice, i sensi-
tive temperament. capabty OF passionate action
and picturesque Gemeanor. HIS style. further
more, has repOse. definite method and fine finish
The impersonaIion ;hat he gave last night is that
or manly, generous. chiyalrous youth, VINO pro-
tects girl whom he loves, when she is wrongfully
seized and sold as siave.-an enorniy or cruel IN
justice that once possible in our country and
that was dramatically illustrated Ind made Odious
many years ago. by Dion BOGceauIt, in his play
Of The Octoroon,'' made on the basis Of novel
by Captain Mayne Reid.-and also who tmperils
his life to battle conspiracy OF Spaniards, in
LOuisiana-the scene being laid in New Orleans. IN
l80i.-to overthrow the newly established United
States government. The story is long and conPh-
Gated, and the particular recital OF 1t would require
the wide sea Of novel The play lacks concen-
tration and directness. being somewhat overweight
ed with details but It Is bright play interesting
and often effective, and 1t was exceedingly well
acted. The author who undertakes 20 tell a story
of actual life is reasonably expected to make the
Incidents of his story probable There are lmproba-
bilties in the theatrical exposition of this one but
they noticed only In the retrospectiOn- The
villain who falsely declares that the heroine
is slave, and that he owns her, would in
actual life. have been likely to keep her FOR
himself; the ncentious antagonist Of Victor
would, in actual life. nave been likely TO persist
and to out bid him. in the auction. The conduct OF
the heroine when she becomes aware OF the bar
gain and sale seems more theatrical than rational
Women have intuitiOns, II playwriters have not.
and intuition would have told Antoinette the de-
csive truth TO her lover's-and purchasers-
essential nobility of character and sincerity OF feel
ing But the play contains some situations that are
adrotly contrved to be effective without wrench TO
reason: It blends sentiment WITH hun1or; and II
gives ample opportunities for opportunities
which in almost every instance, were improved
Mr.. Faversham's impe-sonaton Of Victor Jallot
has variety, lghtness. grace, deep feeling. and
a delightful continuity OF sustained sincerity
and art, creating absolute Illusion Mr.. Cooper
Clide provided capital villain. little
conventional perhaps. but not incredible M
Berton Churchill evinced winning huuor and pleas
ant personality Osbourne. the Sherln Ar MOT
ton SeIten presented a drou type-aimost painfully
true-of an overworked and dreadfully bored news
paper editor Mr. Frank BendtssH contributed
nlirth by a particularly neat sketch Of volatile
Quadroon boy. Mr.. Charles Harbury struck a note
of pathos in his exit Frobel that brought tears
10 eyes that not accustomed TO weep over
theatrical woes. In fine the play can confidently
be recorded among the deserved successes Of
season that has not been replete with successes.
and the performance be commended as one
that lovers of acting should by no means neglect
TO see. The house was crowded There were many
curtain calls. Mr.. Faversham had 20 respond to
an enthusiastic call for a speech after the third
curtain. and he spoke with dignity, feeling. and
fine taste His personal triumph is beyond doubt.
and is that OF the play W. W.
CAST OF, TILE RAReER OF NEW ORLEANS"