The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-03-29
ADJUSTMENTS
1.-THE AMERICAN LORD"

A modern comedy enlivened by the
screams of the American eagle is the
present vehicle of Charles b. Hanford.
Strange as it seems for the well known
ShakespeaTean actor to appear in a role
ike that of John Breuster, in 1.-THE
american Lord" yet 1t is admitted that
Mr.. Hanford is happily cast. He i'm
personates the kindly opiniOnated west
erner with a breadth of insight into
the value of the part that rings true
to ones ideas of what it ought to be
The transplanted American keeps his
opinions, but is open to conviction. As
he says in a moment OF humility, I
am bigger man than when ! left
home" Mr.. Hanford brings home TO
the audience the value of American
traditions and character, and at tine
same time analyses the effect of the
broader knowledge of English life and
manners.
The play abounds with sentiment that
is dear to the American heart. Half
English and half American in setting
and characters, one hears both sides of
the story, but the conclusion is obvi-
Gus. All differences are settled annie
ably and good enemies become good
friends. 1t is hands across the sea, -
and that sort of thing in the end, but
in the beginning there seems no pos
slblllty of adjusting the difficulties that
lie deeper than mere prejudice. "The
American LORD was a one time medium
of William Fl. Crane. who put more OF
humOr but less of hOmely sincerity into
the portrayal of the title role. Mr.
Hanford gives Breuster a plain, unpre-
tentious manner and q character OF
simple goodness that impresses the au-
dience most favOrably and presents a
charming contrast to the aristocratic,
oYerbearing ways Of the English lord.
They are both thOroughbreds, however
and in a lOng-fOught law suit each
scorns to take unworthy advantage of
the other. When the American learns
that his English enemy is impoverish-
ing himself to continue the case, he re-
sorts to generous trickery to throw the
suit out of court. Discovered, he is at
last appreciated by the English noble
man and their differences adjusted.
Marie Drofnah has part in this play
that suits her admirably. 1t is that of
a kind-hearted Irish widow interested
in the love affairs of all the young
people, and involved in one of her own
with Breuster. Her part is to laugh
her way through the play and into the
good graces of the audience, who re-
eeived her work with favor.
1t cannot be said that the support is
good. Indifferent acting chaFacterizes
the work in the minor parts, with the
single exception of Andrew MacDuffie,
played by John e. MacGregor. He en-
livens the play with a good piece of
character work, for which his hearers
are duly grateful. The love scenes are
in the hands OF set of young and
badly trained players, and as a conse-
quence, lose In interest. It is due to
the fact that more than the usual pro-
portion of the acting is done by Mr..
Hanford and Miss Drofnah that the
play made the good impression it did.
1.-THE American Lord" will be repeated
at the matinee Wednesday and Wednes-
day evening. Tonight the company pre-
sents 1.-THE Tanning OF the Shrew," with
THE Old Guard" as a curtain raiser