Life — April 12, 1906 — page 15: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

claims to greatness, criticism is entirely with- 1 its legitimate sphere and the critic is doing his duty, from which he must not be de- terred by the clamor of the ignorant nor in- fluenced by the fact that his opinion runs counter to the public favor bestowed on the artist. Judged by this latter standard Bar- num’s woolly horse and Mr. George M. Cohan deserve the laurels rightfully accord- cd only to the geniuses of the stage. Of course, Mr. Mansficld docs not belong in the class with the woolly horse and Mr Cohan, but any one who ever saw his lady- like Brutus or his grotesque Ivan can hardly claim that he should be rated with the great men of the theatre. Nor is Mr. Mansfield to be blamed for accepting the dollars of an ignorant public and the flattery of critics who let the public form their opinions. His efforts ha ng praiseworthy lines, and if nature has Jenied to him genius he has at least the trick of passing for a genius with the unthinking He has also had the good fortune to be upon the stage in a time barren of great actors. Otherwise, his vogue might not be what it is to-day, for the inexpert public can even if they have no ¢ been crowd. make comparisons, absolute standard: Mr. Mansfield has caught the fancy of that clement of the public which although } ent wants to see better on the stage, and even if, as in the sent instance, it takes alloy for the pure metal, it is an encouraging thing that such a public exists. To-day its enthusiasm may he misdirected and it may bestow a mis- taken loyalty. Properly educated and led by expert criticism it will bestow its rewards in the future with better consideration of merit and with more judgment. \\ LUPE Bx, HE epidemic of comic ~ opera which has held the United States in its grasp for the past few years bids fair to be followed by a simi lar attack of farce, i we may judge by the recent successes in that line. The latest is “It’s All Your Fault,” at the Savoy. ‘The author is Mr. Edgar Selwyn, and he is to be con- gratulated on properly labeling his picce and on having it played in a frankly farcical manner. The motive both in play and acting is an extremely “tough”? little boy, whose putative paternity large number of very laughable and ing complications in the on the stage. T is athe a French motive, but the fun is so fast that one has no tin to stop and think of possible impropricty. ‘The acting honors go toa Master Pincus, who impersonates the boy Archibald, and makes him as humorously tough a specimen of the genus puer as one would be likely to encounter in a Sabbath day's journ through the slums. Mr. Herbert Carr is also excellent as a rich uncle, pompous to the world at large but fawning to his master- ful wife. The cast is a very good one, com- prising, in addition to the author, Louise Closser, Mr. Herbert Sleath, Carolyn Lee and Maud Hosford, all competent to their respective tasks. If farce is to relegate comic opera to its proper place in the theatre, there is one advantage at least—it is going to make a demand for pcople who know something about acting. And the very good fun there is in “It’s All Your Fault” isa distinct relief from the monotony of the tum-tum-tum form of entertainment. This laughter-causing little play also thoroughly upholds the argument of those who claim that the theatre should be simply a place of amusement, but at the same time demonstrates that because amusement is amusement only, it need not therefore be vulgar, or in bad taste, as are some of the Broadway shows that base their claim to patronage on the fact that they amuse their audiences. auses a mus- plot and situations * . « F LAT certainly been intense. Mme. Bernhardt’s acting has Metcalfe. Academy of Music—Last week of Mrs. Fiske in Mr, McClellan's “Leah Kleschna.” A most absorb ing serious drama, admirably acted Betesco—David Belasco’s “Girl of the Golden West,” with Blanche Bates and Frank Keenan in the Jeading parts. Should not be missed. SARTORIAL SHAKESPEARE “SMe HATH AMATED Sb OF HALE SEY TRAIN.” —King Lear Bijou.—"Th Agreable of smikes and tears artistically presented The Vanderbilt Cup.” Not for the intelligent sic Master." nedy Frothy mu- ~The Mountain Cli Moderately with Frans cis Wilson as the star musing farce, acrobatically acted Daly's—"The Embassy Ball." Lawrence D’Or- say's personality amusingly exploited in American comedy by Augustus Thomas Empire—* Pete Pan,” with Maude Ad star. Enjoyable for grown-ups Fields Theatre —" Mr. Hopkinson able English farce, well acted by company imported from London. “The College Widow." diverting fun with Western college Garrick —Closed. Next wee Saw.” Horald Square —" George Washington, Jr.” Ad- mirable example of what pleases the lowest grade of theatre-going intelligence Hippodrome. —Magnificence circus and tank effects, all goo Hudson —Last week of “The Duel.” esting French drama, thoroughly well dos Knickerbocker —" Mlle Modiste.”” The combined efforts of Victor Herbert, Henry Blossom, Fritzi Scheff and a good company in charming comic opera. Lyric —" Mexicana.” staged comic opera Madison Square —""Th ing litthe drama with musical features life of Mozart Madison Square Garden.—The Barnum and Bailey Circus with remarkable automobile feats as the sea- son's novelty Manhattan. —" Charkey’s Aunt." Classical British ce, as funny as it used to be Princess" Brown of Harvard.” Mr. Harry Woodruff and good company in amusing play ¢ at Cambridge Proctor's Fifth Avenue of bill. —"It's All Your Fault." Sce above Weber's Theatre-—" Twiddle Twaddle" and bur esque of current plays. Girls, music and fun. Very laugh Garden George Ade’s What the Butler n spectacle, refined Very inter- Diverting and handsomely Greater Based on thi Stock company in weekly comicbooks.com