Morning journal and courier., 1891-04-04
THE ANTIGONE.

The Greek Play Ma&n1hcentAy Fro
 duced-A Very Large and Br1laant
 Audience-The Dramatic Event OH
 the Season.
 Dean Plumptre's translation of '"The Antigone,' of Sophocles, with the choruses l arranged to Mendelssohn's music, was pre- sented last evening before the most bril- liant audience ever assembled at the Fly perion theater. It was the most notable production of Greek tragedy ever given in this country, and at the same time the most meritorious amateur performance of the many that have been given in this city. This is very high praise, but the wrapt attention of the audience, their ire quent and hearty applause and the noun tain of flowers that awaited the principals at the close of the play are so many proofs that it is well merited.
 One hardly knows what to write con- phaticaIly play that ought to be seen and judged by each auditor from his or her own standpoint. As an amateur enter tainment, as dramatic spectacle, as perfectly charming array of beauty and color, it more than met great expecta- tions. If it failed to be all that 8 Greek drama should be, it was owing to 4the ungraceful translation used and the inexperienee of the perform
 CTS, but not to their want of earnestness,
 lack of study or competent direction. The
 conception of Greek drama which it gave to the audience was we'll worth the atten- ton of the classical student. It was as in- tensely interesting as it was novel, and it's novelty has attracted the attention of press and public for many weeks.
 The stage setting was at once elaborate and tasteful. About the altar in the cen- ter of the stage were grouped the Theban elders, and on either side of the stage,
 forming semi-circle, was the chorus of
 maidens, and a handsome, graceful bevy
 of maidens they were! Directly behind
 the altar was platform on which the principal action of the drama took place. modern adjunct of the theater the dia- logue was frequently interspersed with singing by the elders and maidens.
 The acting, all things considered was ad- mirable, deserving commendation rather
 than criticism. Amateur artists do not
 spend an entire winter in preparing play
 like "Antigone" for the sole purpose of
 being compared with professional actors.
 There is another fact which is not alto
 gether secret. It is more than probable
 that it would be quite impossible to organ
 ize a company of professional artists who
 would be willing to attempt such a play. fessionals dare not. The severest critic could not but admire the enthusi-
 asm, the energy and the earnestness of all the performers. If the elo- | cution, the gestures and stage business were not all they should have been, at least every word that was uttered was in- telligible and the interest never Jagged. Certainly no one could have made more | earnest "Creon" than Mrs. s. Hartwsll Chapman. It was apparent that every word had been studied and in her manner
 and bearing she was truly regal. Mrs. H. Grant Thompson's impersonation of the title role deserves more than 8 word of
 praise. She was an ideal Grecian maiden. l Possessed of the most attractive stage | presence and sympathetic voice, she had | evidently given to her important part her best efforts. She was many times warmly applauded, especially at the conclusion of her most effective rendition of the lines commencing f'Yes, for it was not Zeus who gave them forth" "| Not less admirable was the "Ismene" of Miss Pardee. In ters on these two beautiful daughters of Gdipus. Miss Johnstone as ''Teiresias, J Niss Beach as the "Guard" and Miss E. s. White as 'sEurydice" were all effective in | their several roles, and each won from the l audience share of the applause. Miss Anna Richards as "Hamon" and Mrs. e. s. DeForest as the 'tMessen-
 ger" displayed exceptional dramatic ability and succeeded better than the oth-
 CTS in giving 8 natural rendition to the
 awkward sentences. This was owing both | to their previous stage experience and nat
 ural dramatic talent. But the actors who
 occupied the platform did not give the en.
 tire performance, by any means. "Cory
 phaeus," a part very creditably rendered 1 by Miss Wilson, and tht
 Theban elders gave the performance
 8 truly venerable air, and the Priestess 1 (Mrs. Joseph B. SargenD with her atten.
 dant priestesses and maiden made beau
 tiful stage picture that will not soon be l forgotten by all who witnessed it. The
 music was pleasant feature of the even
 ing and was furnished by a competent or Dessauer.
 The following constitute the committees
 who have had the affair in charge princi- pally and whose unwearied labors contrib
 uted materially to it's success.
 1 Executive Committee-Mrs George B BFarnam | chairman; Mrs. F. E. Kernochan, Mrs. w. W. Far
 nam, Mrs. E;V. .Raynolds Mrs Dr. Carmait; Miss Anna A. Cutler, secretary; MT c. s. DeForest; | Music Committee-Mrs. s. s. Thompson, chair man; Miss Ethel Carmalt, secretary: Miss Alice Costume Commttee-Miss Kate Trowbridge,
 Miss Lucy TroWbridge, assisted by Miss Lewis. :,
 Press and Ticket Committee-Mr Joseph 1 tary; Mr r. W. williams, MT. Thomas Hooker Program Committee-Miss Edith Woolsey Mrs.