Evening journal., 1910-05-02
MARC M'DERMOTT, ACTOR
WHO STUDIES CHARACTER
He Has Appeared in Twenty
Eight Roles at the Avenue
All Showing an Origin
ality Of Conception

uAAky VI pOhOOFtASh
"What does Marc McDermott do this
week?" is a question SO frequently asked
i'm Wilmington as to demonstrate the
permanent place this popular actor Of the
Conness and Edwards Company has won
in the esteem and admiration of VIII
mington audiences. Mr. McDcrmott has
gained a reputation for strong originality
of conception and vitality Of presentation
IN the twenty-eight widely varied roles in
which he has appeared at the Avenue The
atre this season.
This actor began his stage career at the
age Of nineteen. in Australia. appearing
with the famous George Rignold in Shake
speares Henry the Fifth" lie remained |
for several years with Rignold, under the |
management Of J. G.. Williamson, called |
the "Frohman of Australia II was be-
fore the recent era Of dramatic schools, |
and the young man like many others,
gained his early theatrical training from
actual practice upon the stage. No others
OF his family have been, or are. actors,
But Mr.. McDermott concluded that he
liked the dramatic profession and APP
likes the profession. but he would much
rather act than talk about how he does
il. Acting Is too much an instinct from
within, rather than a system inculcated
from without, I'm Mr.. AIcDermotts case,
for him to find il easy to analyze his
methods. High-sounding questions about
ideals and aims leave him much In the
embarrassed position OF the school-boy
asked TO describe the respiratory organs.
Actor and boy think these things good TO
have. but they don't quite see the use of
talking about them.
However il Is not possible to be with
Mr. McDermott for quarter of an hour
without realizing that dramatic art in its
best development IS the greatest thing in
life to him. And half an hour gives a clue
to the secret of his success First he has
an innate faculty for observation that is
fascinating TO watch. Perhaps an ordinary
man passes along the street; the actor has
seen a peculiar swing of the arms that
will give a flavor Of individuality TO some
comedy character portrayed i'm the future
or maybe it is some striking color combi-
nation, suggestive Of possibilities of cos
tune In a crowd, on the street or at am
other theatre, he watches the play of cN-
preston upon different faces with intense
interest. and shrewdly judges the charac-
ter OF individuals in keen. concise CONF
ments The important point is that Mr..
McDermott does this unconsciously. with
out a hint of set purpose; so that instead
OF artificial mannerisms resulting from
mechanically cultivated observation. his
Fmcntal notes come out naturally as vital
parts Of the characters he is acting.
Marc McDormotts entertaining prohci-
ency i'm comedy parts, for which he has
thorough uking may be attributed TO the
native wit inherited from the Irish strain
in his English ancestry. lie not only sees
/ the humorous side OF life, but can tell it
| I'm way that is mresistibly funny; and
when he is in the mood Mr.. McDermott
! is more fun than a circus. This sense OF
fun gives him quick penetration Of
shams. and they are the one thing in tho
world upon which he is merciless. One Of
the first things person notices about the
man is his sincerity and complete lack Of
kaffectatlon. He never poses, and this has
been rather a sad disappointment to some
enthusiasts who believe Hamlet should
be a melancholy Dane OFF as we'll as on
the stage. However, Mr.. McDermott thinks
he made a splendidly satisfying matinee
idol as Hosea Brown" I'm Lovers Lane
This calls up another feature OF inter-
est about this actor and that Is his
auotabilty. People who have conversed
with Mr.. McDermott go around the next
day saying. LAS Mr.. McDermott said"
His originality and picturesqueness OF ex-
preston have undoubtedly been great
help to him in appreclating tho wea IA
Of meaning in the pays OF great dramat-
lists.
Mr.. McDermott has played IN cities In all
parts Of Australia, England, and America,
He played with Richard Mansfield for ohs
season, and was with Mansheld's com
pany playing peer Gynt' at the limo Of
the actors death. He had tho part OF tho
Frenchman, in the supper scene, when
Peer is in the prime Of life. Other roles
that he took during the season with Mans
field were Captain Hiram Weeks" in
''rhe Scarlet Letter" Abraham" in
'Beau Brummel," and "Tirandel,p in "A
Partisan Romance" An interesting fea-
ture Of the last named is that "Tirandel
was the part played by Mansfield wher
the illness Of the star gave Mansfield hi'
first chance 10 win public laurels.
Mr.. McDermott also played with Mrs
Patrick Campbell under Frohman man
agement, for number Of seasons in Eng
f. land ana in this country, taking the par
Of "Sir John Orryedr in THE Secon'
Mrs. Tanqueray;" other plays beinl
''Aiagda." Beyond Human Power an'
Aunt Jeunie."
! He has created many parts, amoni