The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-25
ACTING rs EXCELLENT

Arnold Daily. who starts out to do 20
much that Is attractive and interesting
In tho theatre and sometimes succeeds, Is
now the hero Of BEAU Brummeli." He
Is. however. the hero Of the only Beau
Brummel" that ever made an impression
In this country. the play of that name
which Clyde Fitch wrote for Richard
Mansfield. There have been various plays
dealing with this inviting hero. and II
was the existence OF the Douglas Jerrold
comedy which for a while threatened the
reputation Of Clyde Fitch as a play
wright. But only the version in which
Richard Mansfield acted was known to
this-or Is II the preceding ?-eeneration
OF playgoers.
Mr.. Fftch's play is we'll along in years.
II will be twenty-six years on the 18th
OF next month that Richard Mansfield
first gave 1t at the little Madison Square
Theatre. He played the piece until Ill
ness ended his career. Statistics were
they available would probably show that
he acted Brummeli more frequently than
CherrtdI or the twin roles in 'Jeykll and
Hyde" Nobody every attempted the
part nor would any actor a v been SUI
fcently courageous during his lifetime
had there been the opportunity. Charles
Leonard Fletcher. who once tried a pro-
duction of the Jerrold play. wac the most
audacious. But so long az he held his
place on the stage Beau Brummen was to
the American public i%ncarnated In the
skilful and polished portrayal OF Mr..
Mansfield.
The difficulty in reviving such a Sigh.
drama Is. OF course. In finding an actor
who could Identify himself as closely
with the part as its creator. Richard
Mansfield could not have played this
piece during so many years had not his
own portrayal Of the hero added an inn
portance to the piece. Mr.. Fitch. more
over. vas working with the dandy and
his world. in a very c%ongenial milieu.
He was much more at home in dealing
with UGH rose colored sentiment and
such frou-frou OF life than In dramatic
situations that might rest on reality.
Already the fortunes OF BrummeH are
under a cloud when one Of his creditors
is. at the outset OF h play. pressing
him for money. but at the sight of a
royal invitation decides to lend hin
more. His marriage with an heiress,
which might v saved him when hnan-
cial troubles grew worse. IL prevented
through his own generosity. while his
loss OF favor at court Is the result of
his old flames jealousy at the sight of
rs " "
After h debtors prison. a lodging at
Calais n death. are the end This IL
the sort OF material WHICH may be
gracefully handled. and II IL in a grace
full manner that MIR. Fitch has dealt
with his material without much depth
or sense OF life.
But Mr.. DAILY has dom the playwright
a great service in putting his drama
before a new public. Stanley Dark Is
nfl - hax.A ,ala .~.NA IL ,.v~. l.. IL -.
eliminating s%oliloquies and asides. II
is a bold thing to omit %soliloQuics In a
play which a~ntedates the telephone. that
first aid to the bungling dramatist. But
there were only experiences and skill OF
an uncommon kind in the play as IL was
revealed last night. Mr.. Fitch will he
remembered by II when the rest OF his
writings are forgotten. II is a master
piece OF its kind that Is to-day Just as
fresh and delightful as II eve was.
Mr.. DAILY delivered all the sparkling
lines OF the beau with the fullest apprc-
citation OF their humor. Hc succeeded
in being both polished and natural. He
said in n speech after the third act that
he had never seen Richard Mansfield
play the role. So his performance may
he enjoyed for it's own qualities. Il was
a charming and attractive Interpretation
that ought to bring renewed favor 10
the old play. which IL az witty as Il
ever was.
TIL acting throughout was excellent
and the investiture adequate and taste
full. William Raymond played the youth
full over with genuine distinction and
fervor. while his diction wal a source of
pleasure to all who love to near the
language spoken with such perfection.
Roma JUNE was a picture OF fresh
beauty. while Roland Blackstone played
her snobbish father with a strong tang OF
cockney humor. r.. J. Radcliffe. as the
Prince OF Wales; Edgar Norton. az a
sympathetic and human valet Stanley
Dark and Eva Dennison were ca ia BILE
figures In the wholly adequate represen-
tation. Katherine Kaelred seemed 10
lack some OF the qualities necessary 20
a designing beauty. but vivienne Whit
taker, Renee de Monvil and Gladys Nor
ris were interesting subord!nates In the
action.
There have rarely been %springtime re-
vivals SO completely successful as the
repetition of Mr.. Fitch's uncommonly
clever play.