Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-01-20
Bir Charles Wyndham Sue
crrnbs in London, and John
Mason at Stamford, Conn.

not, perhaps, too much TO say OF MIN
that he wa the most able and ac-
complished comedian Of his period. He
was not endowed with absolute genius,
or with any one of those special facul-
ties or attributes which have a the
names Of some eminent players his
torical. His strength lay in his solid
general capacity, his sound n sure
dramatic instinct. broad intelligence,
which he received in his formative
days, in every known variety of
drama. It would be impossible to
e0aEgerate the value to him of the
experience which he gained during the
years when he was q member of the
old Boston Museum Theater company.
Nature had bestowed upon him many
Of the needful qualifications Of the
successful actor-a winning form and
countenance, and an admirable voice
but 1t was there that he learned to
use and develop his esources and ac-
CURED that ready and certain control
Of every theatrical art or artit1ce
which marks the finished art
In the course of his long profess
donal career he scored triumphantly
in all kinds of drama, including the
legitimate, although he never essayed
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sattlity was remarkable: not hat kind
Of versatility which is dependent upon
the tricks of personal disguise, but
that which involves the a%daptability
Of manner and methods to the char
acter and quality of the representa-
ton. He shone in classic, social, or
domestic comedy, in romance, in
melodrama, in musical plays. in farce.
n in vaudeville. In all he displayed
. most satisfying adequacy. He might
have SCARED higher had his pursuits
been less varied, but he would not
have been so representative q player.
He did 80 many things well, excelled
80 often in parts that called for either
humor, pathos, or passion-or a COM
btnation of all three-that it is not
easy to say what he did best. But he
than in "The Witching Hour" and "As
q Man Thinks He was then at his
ripest
He was born in New Jersey in 1853,
his q name being Hill Belcher, and
entered Columbia university, New
York, in 1876. He began his career on
h stage at the age of twenty, maxi
ing his first appearance at the Walnut
street theater. Philadelphia. From
Museum (1S79), continuing there I'M
til 1889, with the exception Of two sea-
sons. when he was a member of tho
Union Square Theater Co. Of New
York. He was seen in all the Gilbert
and Sullivan operas in his country,
and he created the leading parts in
such well known melodramas az
Hands Across the Sea" and The
English Rose" In Bronson Howard's
'shenandoah' he created the char
acter Of Kerchival West.
In 1890 Mr.. Mason went to London
md made a great success with George
Alexander as Simeon Strong in Had
don Chambers 1.-The Idler.' Return
ing to America, he starred with
Marion Manola, appearing in 'L'Ami
Fritz" In 1905 he became a member
Of Minnie Madden Fiske's company
In New York, and was leading mar in
Leah Kleschna," "A Light From st.
Agnes" and John Luther Longs
DOLCE" Subsequently he was seen in
THE LIARS" "Jane," 1.-THE Tyranny
Of Tears" 1.-THE witching Hour" and
A a Man Thinks"
'sHs Work Was Done.n
The death Of Sir Charles wyndham
will create a gap in the London the
atrtcal world, but will not now greatly
lRect the stage. His work was done
some time ago, but he played a prom
lnent part in theatrical life on both
Sides of the Atlantic for many years,
Born in London in 1887, he studied
and gained diplomas in Germany and
Dublin, but the passion for the theater
took him and in 1852 he was playing
small parts in London. Then he came
to this country, and served for a time
as q surgeon in the Civil war, but in
1866 returned to England, where he
played with varying success in many
plays and many theaters, gradually
winning popularity.
Princess theater in London, and in
1892 played in this country with
much. success in different farcical
comedies. 1t was a year later that
he made a tremendous hit with Bron-
o Towards Brighton ('Sara-
toGa"), and he soon acquired. the
management Of the Criterion theater.
which he conducted with great pros
perity for many years. It was here
Hot Water" ION Ball." Betsy"
fourteen Days" '"The Candidate"
etc, AL Of which had extraordinary
runs. He had an excellent company
sand was himself a player Of uncom-
mon vivactty and considerable comic
force. In several Of these pieces, he
made q big reputation and profit on
Various Tying trips to this country.
He wa also exceedingly popular in
David Garrick," which he played for
many years. acquiring a practical
monopoly Of 1t after the death OF e.
"A Sothern. He also acted in wild
Oats" THE School for Scandal. and
Assurance" with consider.
able pnblic approval. In later years
ne produced such sterling comedies %
The Tyranny of Tears" The Case
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