New-York tribune., 1922-12-10

~
N characteristics which the many
sided John Drew has presented in
the hfty-odd years during which he has oe-
cupied a central position on the American
stage. With the majority Of plays the mat
ter Is easily settledA II is either good or
bad either we'll acted or badly acted. But
with John Drew In the east an entirely diff
ferent machinery Of interest is set in motion
There is something about John Drew which
forces one 10 immediate interest with his
first entrance not traecable entirely TO his
histrionie ability. To find its secret springs
one turns, with pardonable curiosity, to the
life Of the man himself.
To a great extent his memoirs tend to sat
isfy this curiosity. In a larger sense the
book serves simply to whet the appetite 1he
whole atmosphere resembles nothing more
than freside conversation, with Mr.. Drew
in the role Of the delightful raeonteur The
book seems 20 follow a rather consistent
chronological outline, yet there are so many
delightful Incidental journeys into the field
OF aneedote that il is saved entirely from
becoming too-dry recital Of the bare facts.
Mr. Drew's first appearance on the stage
was at the old Arch Street Theater in Phila-
delphia, at that time under the direction
Of his mother, and the play was "Cool a.
a Cucumber His part called for large
amount Of suavity and confidence, but when
the time came he fen too cool and took the
whole affair rather lightly. As a matter Of
fact, did not think at that time-though
kept the belief to myself-that Joseph JEFF
ferson would have just about three or four
years more as a COMEDIAN" he admits But
his mother took all that out OF him. She
had gone on in the role Of maid, just 20
give him confidence, and she interpolated At
his expense, "What a dreadful young mani
wonder what he will be like when he grows
up"
The popularity OF the first appearance Of
Mr.. Drew on the stage is that his debut was
so long postponed. He had never acted in
any theater before this time (the date was
March p. 1878, and his age nineteen) had
not even been engaged in amateur theatri-
calls or played at theater as a child. His
mothers first part came az the age Of eight,
and his father. the elder John Drew, had
risen while yet a young man TO the leading
rank Of comedians In the American theater.
Perhaps it was the hard rehearsals and late
hours Of the theater from which these two
wished to save their son. for he was early
sent to boarding school and spent some years.
at the Episcopal Academy in Philadelphia.
single picture shows the .imprcssionable
character Of his youthful mind. It was dur
ing the Civil War, a period he says, which
was much interrupted by the sudden dis
appearances Of his comrades for a few days
when they would return somewhat subdued
and with some evidence Of mourning" The
boy felt out Of things, so when the news
came Of the death Of an uncle whom he had
known very slightly. his satisfaction at being
in the "game" with his companions quite
Offset the loss Of the relative.
The boys first visit 10 New York holds
memories Of almost forgotten names and
places. I'VE stopped at the Irving House."
he says, which was at Broadway and
Twelfth Street, and dined at Delmonico's,
that celebrated shrine Of epcures, then at
Fifth Avenue and Fourteenth Street. Will
liam Winter came up and talked 10 my
mother We then went 10 Walaek's TO
see Lost in London Wallack's was at
Broadway and Thirteenth Street. and the
Rialto had not been moved so far north as
Union Square, nor had Palmer's Theater in
Union Square been built"
Concerning his association with the old