143

New Park Theatre.

It may appear to be a process akin to the
extraction of sunbeams from cucumbers to draw a
highly important lesson from the performance of the
Western frontier drama,-now playing at the New Park
Theatre, but there it lies, as clearly as possible. It is
to the effect that to appear natural upon the stage involved
art. To be natural is to appear unnatural. To
appear natural involves study, dramatic talent and a
great many other things, and this is why amateurs
who look pretty and dashing in private life, appear inspired,
or affected the moment they are seen on the stage.
William Cody, who plays the part of Buffalo Bill, in
this drama, "May Cody" has one would suppose, nothing
in the world to do but go through the experiences
of his frontier life in condensed form, to carry himself
before the footlights just as he did upon
the plains, and then his audience would
see a very natural and consequently a graceful
actor. When Mr. Cody made his first appearance on
the stage we have no doubt that he shared this common
and fallacious belief. Tall, lithe, handsome and
graceful, Mr. Cody's possesses all the physical graces of
a frontier hero, Thoroughly cool and self possessed,
he had every advantage possible for the presentation of
a hero on the stage, supposing that no art were required
to produce that impression as an effect. But
his first appearance was a failure. He spoke in his
natural tones, and the effect was ridiculous. He
moved about the stage like a bull in a china shop, he
failed. Since then he has learned that acting is art
to be studied and learned, and that to be natural on the
stage is the highest attainment. Now, by constant
study and the exercise of intelligence, he has succeeded
in appearing natural. The drama in which he
plays was written for him by Major Burt, U. S. A., and
embodies many of the actor's individual experiences.
The story in an exposure of Mormon practices
as they appear to the neighbors of Mormons
several historical characters like Brigham
Young, John D. Lee, General Harney, Ann Eliza
Young and Amelia Young being introduced into it.
The plot is worked out with skill, and though highly
flavored and sensational, the story is not wanting in
sentiment of a high order and incident of an absorbing
description. The scenic embellishments are remarkably
good and reflect credit upon the management
and the scenic artist. Mr. Cody as Buffalo Bill
gives an intelligent presentation of his own character
and habits, Miss Lydia Deiner, acting the part of May
Cody, his sister. Mr. Charles as Darby McClure, an
Irish servitor, is very amusing, and Mr. Arlington as
George Stoughton, the lover, shared the sympathy of
the audience. The other parts are fairly taken.

New Park Theatre.

It may appear to be a process akin to the extraction of sunbeams from cucumbers to draw a highly important lesson from the performance of the Western frontier drama,-now playing at the New Park Theatre, but there it lies, as clearly as possible. It is to the effect that to appear natural upon the stage involved art. To be natural is to appear unnatural. To appear natural involves study, dramatic talent and a great many other things, and this is why amateurs who look pretty and dashing in private life, appear inspired, or affected the moment they are seen on the stage. William Cody, who plays the part of Buffalo Bill, in this drama, "May Cody" has one would suppose, nothing in the world to do but go through the experiences of his frontier life in condensed form, to carry himself before the footlights just as he did upon the plains, and then his audience would see a very natural and consequently a graceful actor. When Mr. Cody made his first appearance on the stage we have no doubt that he shared this common and fallacious belief. Tall, lithe, handsome and graceful, Mr. Cody's possesses all the physical graces of a frontier hero, Thoroughly cool and self possessed, he had every advantage possible for the presentation of a hero on the stage, supposing that no art were required to produce that impression as an effect. But his first appearance was a failure. He spoke in his natural tones, and the effect was ridiculous. He moved about the stage like a bull in a china shop, he failed. Since then he has learned that acting is art to be studied and learned, and that to be natural on the stage is the highest attainment. Now, by constant study and the exercise of intelligence, he has succeeded in appearing natural. The drama in which he plays was written for him by Major Burt, U. S. A., and embodies many of the actor's individual experiences. The story in an exposure of Mormon practices as they appear to the neighbors of Mormons several historical characters like Brigham Young, John D. Lee, General Harney, Ann Eliza Young and Amelia Young being introduced into it. The plot is worked out with skill, and though highly flavored and sensational, the story is not wanting in sentiment of a high order and incident of an absorbing description. The scenic embellishments are remarkably good and reflect credit upon the management and the scenic artist. Mr. Cody as Buffalo Bill gives an intelligent presentation of his own character and habits, Miss Lydia Deiner, acting the part of May Cody, his sister. Mr. Charles as Darby McClure, an Irish servitor, is very amusing, and Mr. Arlington as George Stoughton, the lover, shared the sympathy of the audience. The other parts are fairly taken.