Variety (May 1906)

16 VARIETY REPRESENTATIVE ARTISTS REPRESENTATIVE ARTISTS ITTSQURG UNANI/WOUaLY N WILLIAM COURTLEIGH In CI UNDER THE THIRD DEGREE 99 By R. C mcCULLOCH Pittsburg Post says: The protean play given by William Coartlelgh and bis company In the Grand daring the past week at the bead of the continuous veudevllle bill there, wss s genuine snd artistic delight. Mr. Courtlelgh played the eight parts undertaken by him in "Under the Third Degree" with fine discrimination snd ex- cellence. Pittsburg Times: In his rather crudely constructed little play- let "The Third Degree," Mr. Courtlelgh suc- cessfully portrays eight different and strikingly contrasted roles within the space of 80 minutes. To give such sn undertaking even the sem- blance of success requires very quick and facile acting art. Mr. Courtlelgh playa all the parts with sur- prising sccurscy. His work reflects fsr more then mere chsnge of clothes snd facile makeup. In Toice, mental poise snd character indica- tion thla young actor demonstrstes a real genius for protean portrayal snd reveals unexpected powers of discrimination snd acting intelligence. Pittsburg Dispatch: Nothing at any of the theatres the psst week has been worthy of deeper consideration thsn the work of Mr. William Courtlelgh In bis one- act protean play, "Under the Third Degree," which he baa been playing at the Grand. With a vehicle possessing no intrinsic value from a dramatic point of view the actor has msnsged, by virtue of his own extraordinary gifts, to lift his set out of the depths of mediocrity to sn altitude of histrionic perfection rivaling the best examples of the modern legitimate drama. Nine characters are portrayed by Mr. Courtlelgh in this little playlet, snd In esch one the art of the actor serves to mske effective the change of Identity. There is consummate skill In this versatility, something fsr snd beyond the commonplace "chsnge artist" which we are wont to see in vaudeville, and at times Mr. Court- lelgh revesled the flame of true genius. In his closing scene, where as Jim Werner, the firebug, under the third degree, the police reveal to him the horrible truth that he la not only an incen- diary, but a murderer—the slsyer of his own flesh snd blood, the sickly little boy whom he loved so well—his work commsnded the closest sttention snd called for the most unstinted praise. An Italian, s Jew, a German, an Irish police- msn, s simple-minded boy, s tough political boss, a Chinaman and an American worklngman were parts which Mr. Courtlelgh portrayed In thla American adaptation of Jean Mlllerande'a story, which hss formed the basis also for Henri De Vries' plsy of "A Csse of Arson." ARTHUR STUART AND AMERICA'S FOREMOST ENTERTAINERS SINGERS and DANCERS KEELEY SISTERS MIKE BERNARD - Pianist at Pastor's Theatre Can accspt ether engagements. Club work especially. Address care of Paator's Theatre. THE BLACK ACT JACK WILSON & CO. ALBERT GREEN -WTTH- -nr- "AN UPHEAVAL IN 18 MINUTES IN ONE. ADA LANE DARKTOWN" ASK MYERS * KELLER. ie MINUTES ItN 1 GAVIN, PLATT & PEACHES We. Prmmmnting " A STOLEN KID" a specially designed gipsj oamp aeane drop, painted by Valentine, and play ear entire eel in 1. COLLINS AND HART BEAU IDBA1VS OF VAUDEVILLE JOHN DELMORE & EMILY DARRELL May 28—Gennett Thestre, Richmond, Ind. June 4—International. Chicago, 111. Juns 11—Park Thestre, Hannibal, Mo. June 18—Electric Park, Kansas City, Mo. June 25—Grand Opera House, Moberly, Mo. MOW BOOK I MO FOR ME XT SEASOM A HEADLINE FEATURE IN VAUDEVILLE HARRY THOMSON The Mas with the Goods. P. 8—THIS ACT STANDS IN A CLASS BT ITSELF. HAUB YOUR CARD IN VARIETY Andy Lewis PAST SEASON LEADING FEATURE SAM DEVERE'S OWN COMPANY. P. 8.—HAVE SOME OLD GRAPE HAIR FOR SALE. EDDIE E/VIIL Ernie ^ Honegger WORLD'S GREATE8T MONOPEDES. In a refined comedy, dancing equilibrist and acrobatio act. Open for burlesque and vaudeville. Address WESTERN MANAGERS' ASSOCIATION, Majestic Theatre Building, Chicago, 111. ^ When answering mdvertisements kindly mention VARIETY.