New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-12
MARGARET TRAvERs THE spy IN LOUIS NJ
"DsRAEli"

Of musical comedy, and what they give the
player to do is always an inspiration.
As for my change Of comedy method
that is a simple enough matter. have
merely to work out the part as II is plainly
enough suggested in the wording | have
never before had part in which the actual
lines were so rich and so full OF genuine
comedy.
Tho very fact that Bunthorne requires
an entirely different method from any other
part I have had makes 1t all the easier for
me TO fall In with II.
Something which tho public does rot
realize is that It Is much simpler for an
actor 10 adopt a new method and present
an altogether different character than 10
follow one part with another that is al.
most like II and yet TO make them different.
IF, for instance, a man who had played
a run in Patience as Bunthorne should
be called upon to play Grosvenor in the
same piece IT would be very difficult for
him to make clear the distinction between
the two characters. Bunthorne. the
aesthetic. is deliberately an impostor. who
seeks notoriety. Grosvenor, the asthete,
has notoriety thrust upon him. and feels
that il is his fate TO be compelled 10 play
the impostor.
But had no such difficulty as this N
changing from Dick Desdeye In 'Pinafore
TO my present work In Patience. Deadeye
Is broad, low farce. / enjoyed playing H.
but not so much as | enjoy this. bun'
thorne Is by far the most interesting pan
OF my whole career
In spite OF his laying the whole credit for
his success to Mr.. Gilberts lines and 10
Sir Arthur Sulliyan's music. Mr.. Hopper
did not deny that TO he successful come
dian it was necessary to be born with GER
tain temperament and a certain adaptaou'
ity. Vague terms-but how is the COMEDY
spirit to be described? Having the spirit
by grace OF nature and lines by grace oil
the lbrettst. he asked how a man cou'a
fail 10 make a success Of his part-that Is
as long as he was not asked to represent
something impossible for his physique.
Il could not play decrepit old man, for
instance" he said, looking down al '"e
stalwart expanse OF chest and shoulder"
for which Mr.. Hopper Is as famous as io'
his comedy spirit
make one exert ones self both mentaH!
and physically. 1t requires only DIT OF
enthusiasm and energy on the part OF tns
actor TO meet those demands with JOY.
And goodness knows | hay. enough OF
those two qualities for several people
"A year ago when | had finished my
IS, 900 mile tour in The Matinee dor was
so played out that was counting minutes
till could get away 10 some new, fres"
place and do nothing. Just then | was
called by telephone 10 take Dick Deaoe'e
in Pinafore.' Not for all the money in the
mint said I.
1T was only four weeks more NorN
though, and finally | yielded 10 an one
that Il would have been criminal TO rel-se'
1t turned out TO be forty weeks, NOT i0u,,
tut the fun OF playing the part-e
though it was just a small bif-ano 'I'
satisfaction that came 10 us from the
joyment Of the audiences, kept me IN so0'
spirits all through the tour.
"It is amazing-and yet II ism Inv"
fond people are OF the Gilbert ana sun"
van classics In one small town we pia!.'
In Canada an old barrister was In the auD
ence who had come four hours r'""
Journey 10 see 'Pinafore He nad supp
with us afterward. and that old man
there and recited word for word lines 'ns
songs not only from 'Pinafore,' put i'o"
several other Gilbert and Sullivan p'',
Yet he had not heard any of them i''
years. .s
There is possibility that this comm,
years tour Of Patience" will take 70 -
London. / almost hope II won't .ho"s nr
| have found as much appreciation LOT S,y
work over here as an actor can poss SJ.
want, and / should be afraid as an A'n', ~
can. to assa!l the sacred British temp. c,,.
art with an American idea OF the way
bert and Sullivan should be played ana s.
They might be interested to see US ~. VI
ana they might resent the attempt
foresee which way 1t would turn out
haps we shall tempt a verdict though