The Washington herald., 1909-02-21
William Faversham.

Mr. William Favershsm. whose return
20 the Belasco Theater in his fine
new play. Tine World and His Wife. "
drew large audiences all OF the week, is
one OF the most interesting personalities
on the American stage to-day II is
through hard work and a varied train
ing in the equipment OF an actor that
he has arrived at the position he oceu-
pies to-day; his own manager, his own
producer; a man ambitious for the high
est and best in his profession
In certain respects The World and His
Wife is the best work he has ever done
Il IS striking exemplifcation Of his
ambitions as a star and manager, for
instead Of ch0osing-as he might have
done-a play that would have done much
more for his personal glorihcation, ne
has a play. in which he essays the lead
ing part. II Is true. but one that de-
pends by TO means on his abilities as a
player alone, Considered largely from
the managerial point of view. this play.
The World and HIS Wife, is a triumph
for Mr.. Faversham as a manager. for it
has been a long day since We have seen
a play SC thoroughly and beautifully re-
hesrsed. so that there IS no indecision
anywhere. but the whole movement goes
smooth and easily and artistically from
beginning 10 end To see how well the
work Of staging this play has been done
IS 10 recognize that Mr.. Faversham is
not extravagant in his ambition for the
future, which includes a production Of
"OtEello' and a big scenic production Of
Stephen Phillips "Herod."
The career OF Mr. Faversham on the
American stage has been a long srduous.
and honorable one Born in Warwick
shire, England, in 1855, and having
knocked about the world. he made his
first appearance on the stage in the small
part Of Dick in Pen and Ink in 1ST.
Then ne went TO the Union Square Thea
ter 20 play the part OF Parkyn in The
Highest Bidder" Afterward he played
Sir Charles IN "A Sad Coquette. Robert
Gray in The Wife" Valentine Day in
'FeatheTbTain. Iarth in 'The open
Gate" Alfred Hastings in "AH the Com
forts Of Home" He then appeared in
The Last Straw A Modern Match"
Settled Out Of Court" and "Geofrey
Middleton and finally he made a hit in
the part Of the Prince in Bronson How
ards 'AristOcracy He was then en-
gagged by Charles Frohman for the En-
pire Theater Company. with which he
stayed for some time. appearing as Jack
Medbury in The Councillors Wife
Ned Annesley in Sowing the Wind
Reginald Ffolliott IN "Gudgeons." Sir
Brice Skeane in The MasCueraders. Sir
Hubert Garlinge in "Johu-A-Dreams. Al
geTnon in The Importance Of Being
Earnest. John BeIton in Marriage" Gil
de BeraUlt in Under the Red Robe
Roger Ains3ie in "A Mar and His Wife,
Eric in The ConqUerors. Lord Wheat
ley in ~Phroso,' Lord Algernon Chet-
land in Lord and Lady AIgy." Romeo
in Romeo and Juliet Martin in NY
Lady's Lord John Kinds in Brother
Officers" and Henry Beauclere in "Di-
plomacy.~
Then. drifting away from TIE Empire.
he went over to the Criterion and began
a series Of parts which threatened 10
stamp him for al time as an exponent Of
The romantic school. but his versatility
saved him, and the romantic cloak OF
Don Caesar Clung 10 him more closely
than il had when worn IN Under the
Red Robe
Thus through many parts he came at
last 10 Jim CarSton in The Squaw
Man." a part that he enjoyed and which
the public enjoyed for some seasons. But
always he had in mind the higher prizes
Of the stage-prizes higher than mere
money prizes, and SO he acquired. 50 soon
as he could afford i, his present play
managed il himself. staged II himself.
and Is responsible for il in every detail:
50 that TO him, alone belongs the credit
Of having produced one Of the really
high-class and worthy plays Of this dec
ade.
Ahead Of him now are other artistic
heights 10 conquer, and we may be sure
that he viii essay them with the same
spirit and courage that has already car
ried him so fax. Nor, in speaking Of the
career Of this player, must one, in jus
tice. omit reference TO his wife. Julie OPP
Faversham, who has been his leading
woman on the stage, and OF the stage
as wei. Together they have high ideals
and fine ambitions. and L Il be given
them % work them out together there
can be no doubt that the American stage
VIII be enormously benefited