Omaha daily bee., 1916-01-23

1nzn ffitDACHING is one OF tho
~ really important episodes in
Omaha's annals OF the theater
n.a 1.-The engagement OF Sir John
1G.j13HI ston Forbes Robertson, who
eaa will appear at the Boyd thea.
ter next week for an engagement Of four
performances. On Monday night, Janu-
airy 81, he viii play Hamlet" on Tues-
day evening. The Light That Failed
With Sir Johnston a. Dick Heldar; At the
matinee on "Wednesday. Hamlet again,
end for Wednesday evening "The Pass
ing OF the Third Floor Back" The natu-
raj Importance Of this engagement ss en-
hanced by the positive assurance that
this is really Forbes-Robcrtson farewell
tour He has already said goodbye 60
The stage IN England. and last seasen
made a partial tour OF America. playing
IN eonae Of the larger cities. In each with
sne nfm announcement It was his last
appeaFanee there His tour was continuee
this season. cities not included In last
year Itinerary being visited. When ne
eompietes his trip he will have pretty
well covered the country. end win have
shown his areat roles to a vast multitude
o. people. 81 Of whom viii have regret
a. the thought that ne has determined 20
withdraw from the stage and aot no
more.
Foroes-Roberlson gives a. reason hia
desire 20 quit the play before his pow
err have waned lie has dread OF the
time when he may '1inser superfIuous
On the stage, and rather Intends 20 fol-
low the ereat aalvini Into retirement than
% aecept the example OF our own be-
loved Jefferson. and play on tlll the end.
N some waxe be has taken paee from
the BOOK Of art In which Richard Mans
field wrote his name 90 large. but fs
not following Il to finaIlty. Mr.. Mans
i'e'd took his ART 10 the people: he might
easily have employed his time IN one
or two OF the large cities or the country:
hni many, many thousands OF americans
cherish iqemories of that splendid actor
who would not have seen him had he
sought the luxurious life OF a pampered
fafofite rather than the less attractive
existence Of the strolling player. But
Mr. Mansfield. felt he had a miasion. 10
xife bis best to the people, who couls
be reached only al the sacrifice Of Soma
personal comfort. SO he made his annual
tours. and even when ne felt the touch
or death on his shoulder. he persisted IN
his devotion to his self-apponted task.
and. aitaouEh he thereby FASTENED his
end. he went on with a thought OF duty
Tat Sustained him through It an. And
IA this very quality realdes much Of the
Efeatness OF Richard Mansfield. William
y. Crane a. another eminent American
who has carried the great talent he po.-
sessea Into ali the corners OF the country
and who has persisted 20 the utmost of
his strength IN hls Joyous errand. !, h
not needed 70 recall here the end that
came 10 Lawrence Barrett, 70 Ravi.
Booths devotion 10 his art, 70 Frank
hliyo 70 Clay Clement. 20 Kyrle Bellew
Or % any others OF the host who have
practically alet Azrasi with the grease
paint set osi their faces an any one Of
them may be found an inspiration 10
work till the end And among the iiv-
ipE. what better example could be citea
than 81 bernherdt, who. deprived OF one
ieg. yet eonteinplates a tour7
ih'e Roent Intended TO be a necrologi-
cal record. though: It was merely 20 re-
mind he readers Of this department. that
tne an unusual dramatic menu is beina
pfeparcd for them Forbes-Robertnon has
. cIlatAGter that is about as far away
: ffom ne plilosophiu Danish princs "a
could well b found IN polite llteraturs,
ano fgr thia third play. be gives us again
the 9eriie Faaler-By m that ourl0us con-
e.pfson. 1ne rasslng o. the Third Floor
Back wtcse moral b 90 plainly seen
ana - readily noslsutsd.
The Yellow Jacket" which Nh. and