The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-12-17

WILLIAM GILLETTE
PALYS MANY PARTS

In these days OF specialists. in art,
science. literature and the various
professions, especially that of acting.
1t is rather remarkable to glance
over the list of the various parts
created by william Gillette since he
achieved fame.
II Is customary to refer nowadays.
in the theatrical profession to a new
role as certain style part, such as
| typical barrymore part" "a regu-
lar Maude Adams character" or an
Otis Skinner role 1t is said OF Mr..
Gillette, who comes to the Strand
theater, Friday and Saturday even
| inss, and Saturday afternoon, in J.
Nj. Barrie's newest comedy, Dear
| Brutns," that he has never known any
limitations and has covered. perhaps.
| a wider range of different characters
| of widely varying types than any
other American or English actor.
William Gillette's determination to
go upon the stage was by no means
a sudden impulse, and neither was it
brought about by financial necessity.
He loved the theater and when he
| went on the stage in 1875 he brought
to 1t a fine, keen intelligence and
worthy ideals. He had been educated
at Yale and Harvard universities and
at the Massach usetts Fine Arts in
stitute.
His career since he first set foot on
the stage of the historic Boston
museum to play the role of Guxman
In Faint Heart Meier Won Fair
Lady, has been n most interesting
one to those who follow the affairs of
the theater and its people. While at
the Boston museum he appeared In a
wide range of Sbakespearean charac-
ters, varied with newer comedies and
plays OF >erious import. Then. seek
ing more experience, he joined a
stock company, celebrated in its day,
that divided its time between engage
ments in Cincinnati and Louisville
His first engagement in New York
! was M The Gilded Age" written by
one OF his Hartford, Connecticut
, neighbors. Mark Twain.
The actors first attempt at author
ship was The Professor" in which
he played Professor Hopkins. This
met with encouraging success. While
working On another play, he secured
an engagement in Young Mrs. Win.
fthron," When the second play was
ready, it was christened "Righy's Sec
retary. 1t was q comedy from a
German scarce and later became q
huge success as The Private Score
tary" Next. Mr.. Gillette appeared
in his own play, Held by the Enemy
the first of the war plays. Later THU
drama met with similar success in
4 London
In 1894. Mr. Gillette presented an
other comedy. TOO Much johnson,
the popularity of which continued fo
: many seasons.
I Two years later came the actor
enormous success in his own play
Secret Service" to be followed b,
another hit of even greater proper
. lions. In 1899, in sherlock Holmes
In 1903 came his first appearance il
l. a ]. M Barrie part, when he wa
Q presented hy Charles Frohman /,
n The Admirable Chichton."
Sir Henry Irving paid Mr.. GilIett
a handsome tnihnte when he invite
: him TO occupy the stage Of his Lyc
J. cum theatef in London for season
u Mr.. Gillette accepted the offer am
|. up TO the time OF his appearance
= there in Sherlock Holmes. II
other American actor had occupies
r the Lyceuins stage.
Y In London, Mr. Gillette has bee
r seen in Secret service" Too Mucl
= Johnson" Sherlock Holmes" an
r "Ciarice" lie is said 10 be the onl
American actor who has ever achiev
cd any great financial success in Lon
J. don,
a In reviewing his career, 1t il sur
. prising 10 find how many successful
3 plays the actor has turned out n
Y IL the author at thirteen origina
q works. the adaptor Of seven plays an,
t has cola borated ON two.
: The friendship between Barrie am
z Gillette has been q warm one and on
z of long standing. II began just pre-
q vious 10 the American production o
IL. NJ,
q Sir James sent the manuscript o
:, Dear Brutus'' to the Charles Froh
man company here. ii was with tn
request that Mr.. Gillette PLAYS Tn
title role. portrayed in Lontton A y,
z Gerald Du Maurier.
0 Company b. Blues Meet Tonight