New-York tribune., 1922-10-22
Tom Nesbitt Has
Rapid Rise to a
Featured Position

ACAu &SCSDItLB N8Ll6 We2E 9r0In tAe
black type Of program to the brighter
letters Of an electric theater sign
after only three appearances In Amer
lea, truly rapid rise to featured po-
sition. "The Faithful Heart" Monck-
ton Hoffe's charming comedy OF senti-
ment, is but the third production in
which the actor has appeared in this
country. Before the war Mr.. Nesbitt
came over with Cyril Maudc to play
with him in Grumpy" and his latest
appearance here was with Ruth Chat
terton in Barrie's "Mary Rose,n both
at the Empire and for long tour of
the country.
"Tho Faithful Heart" which moves
tomorrow night from the Brosdhurst
to Maxine Eliott's Theater, gives the
English player the most favorable op-
portunity to show his ability that he
has had thus far. When the chance
came he was ready.
Nesbitt was preparing for his en-
trance in the prologue OF the play in
which he appears as young officer of
the old Union line.
Every time put this coat on I
have to think minute to find out
whether am still playing in Mary
Rose or in The Faithful Heart he
said laughingly as ne drew on the blue
jacket of fourth officer. aonly this
bit of braid on the sleeve distinguished
this coat from the one were so many
times in the Barrie play"
Faced with the problem OF choosing
between the daughter who comes sud
denly into his life and an advantageous
marriage, bringing with 1t good posi-
tion in the army and social advantages.
Waverly Ango, no longer young off,
Ger in the merchant marine, but dig
nified and handsome colonel, renounces
position and q chance for wealth to
do what he considers his duty toward
his daughter.
"Waverly Ango to me.' said Nesbitt,
who plays the role with fine distinc-
tion, "is an adventurer and an oppor-
tunist, but an outstanding character.
In the twenty years since his first love
affair, the results of which burst upon
him when Blackie II came to him, he
has been venturesome man OF the
world, sailing the seas and lighting in
two wars. But Ango is an independent
opportunist. He is seeking TO take ad-
vantage of situations, but they must
be situations created by his own eff
forts. So, even before his daughter
appears, it is apparent that the pro-
posed marriage settlement and other
advantages which are suggested are
aistasteful to him and that he will not
accept them. The coming of Blackie
brings him UP sharp and. brings him
TO realization of where his duty lies.
Back to the sea he goes as the skipper
of tramp steamer, taking with him
the daughter Of whose existence he
hadn't known for twenty years.
The actor, answering those who
pointed out iilogicalities in the play,
said that life itself is full Of illogi-
calities. Where there are human be-
ings there are iliogicalities.
Take my own case" he said. sWhcn
| was youth in Belfast I studied to
become an engineer and then went to
London to complete my studies. But
when ! reached London did l go ON
with the work? did not. Instead,
] went on the stage--indeed, most IL
logical thing 50 to under the circum-
stances. Later on when war came /
sought appointment as an officer in
the engineers. But there were so much
red tape and SO many details to be
locked after that became angry and
impatient and signed up with the cav
airy instead. Here again was an illog-
ical act under the circumstances"