The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-19
ADJUSTMENTS.


Lieutenant Richard wardour, of the British Navy
Captain Helding. commanding H. NJ S. wandersr;
Lieutenant crayford H. NJ s. wanderer Mr. Cotton
Lieutenant Stevenson H. NJ S. Sea New. Mr. Anderson
John Want ships cook. MT Csnili
Bsteson boatswain Mr. NcNary
Mrs crayford Miss Ida JcHreys
Clars Burnham Nard Almsyne
No dramatic creation which has one OF Wilkie
Collins novels basis can be devoid OF interest
or lacking strong incidents but in order to utilize
for the benefit of the playwright the material pro-
vded by the novelist requires in the adapter q
trinity of talents. An admirably written story
of every day life cannot be spoken on the
stage 1t is set down between the covers
of the book; the unbroken thread of the narrative
must be interrupted in its dramatic reproduction
by the frequent falling of the act drops it is abb
solutely necessary to compress even the most I'M
portant chapters of the novelst's work unless the
drama is prepared for the Chinese stage. The
adapter must, therefore, possess literary mimicry.
rs il might be termed that he may alter without de-
sroyng consistency of style. those sentences which
read well but become stilted or exaggerated when
spoken behind the footlights he must possess
good dramatic instincts. that each division OF the
dramatic story may be marked by an effective
climax. and he must possess equally good judgment
to what he shall compress and what shall be car
ried bodily from the play into the book ''Self
adaper is weak in these essentially requisite tai
ents. The motive OF the play. which Is
iosue is not = evenly good. and much Of
it is vapid or unnatural or entirely unneces-
sary; many OF the incidents are highly dramatic
emphaticaliy mark the conclusion OF each act with
effect and, while much of the story is SO COM
pressed necesstate the taking tor granted the
occurrence OF most important incidents. others are
unnecessarily long drawn out and infinitely de-
tailed
The story of "Self Conquest" runs in this FASH
ion:-Cara Burnham, weakly girl in all respects
otne. ,nan the from
Africa of Lieutenant Wardour, who imagnes himself
engaged to her., Lieutenant Aldersley entering
II she is in love with him, whereupon she
instantly fails upon his neck declares her.
sna sits DOWN to wait for Wardour arrival from
Africa She has calculated the ships arrival with
accuracy that would shame any ship news depart
ment. wardour arriving in less than half minute.
She repulses him, and he swears vengeance on the
man who has robbed him of her love.
Captain this and Lieutenant that
it rains officers in this scene-declare at
the end Of the dance that they are
perhaps. by the heat of the bali room-and Wardour
and Aldersley of the party. The curtain drops
on the act, leaving no particular interest in the
which particularly interests the audience in them
the North Pole-or the "Artic" regions. as all
il. Perhaps the lack of interest is due in
measure to the Indifference to elocurion. good Eng
hsn and correct pronunciation i on the part OF
"gone." wished to know the "reasing'' for certain
things. and altogether detrcted from the merits Of
the play by their speech and bearing From such
blame Mr.. Wheelock must always be excepted. The
second act is in hut in the "Artic' regions.
where some good low comedy business is done
by Mr.. Cahin after which Wardour discovers
the ''robber" in Aldersley, and the act, which
was really quite good, closes effectively the
nf ha fyRtl mar riDn
from which Wardour intends that Adersley shall
never return. The third act is simply given up to
Lucy-who promenade in the night and
wonder what has become of the "Artic"
impression that Aldersley is 10 danger. and the
found to contain the, desired intelligence. It
handed over to the lady gifted with double sight,
and she reads the news that their friends have
been shipwrecked. The second sight is further
utilized by Clara. who. going into trance, her
lover "dr-rr-iftng on the ice foe with his enemy"
scene in the fat reproduces the VISION and the
place of the vision the scene should have been
acted as part of the drama.
The fourth act represents hut on the Newfound-
land coast. in which the principals together with
their connections as mentioned by Mr. Giberts. con-
in rags. enters. He is recognized by friends and
recognizes them, though he is nearly crazed
Aldersley. but. seeing Clara he PUSHES out. and.
returning. bears the almost lfeess body Of Alder
sley which he has evidently carried from the "Artc
regions to her. There" he exclaims. dropping
the insnimate form into her lap. found at last!"
He collapses at once. but Aldersey and
plains that Wardour accomplished ''Self Conquest
and spared and afterward saved his life. Wardour
revives to make long explanation. and the lovers
having kissed him and assured him he is doing
nobly, he dies.
Mr.. Wheeock acted admirably and made every
thing Of the part assigned to him. Miss Amayne
acted with certain refinement, but most coldly.
Mss Jefreys excellent and the rest of the cast
with the exception of Mr. Cahil. was either indifer
emily good or really bad.
The play has the elements Of a success in its plot,
but it has been badly put together and does not.
cept in the second and in portion of the last act.
make the dramatic effects that are suggested by
reading a synopsis OF the action. In other words,
1t would read wen but it's acts poorly.