The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-09
NEW PLAYHOUSE, NEW PLAY.
LBBEr's THEATRE OPENED BY HENRY
IRVING IN "BECKE7."


fower-Miss Terry's Pocdc " Kosnn,ond."
The footlghts In Abbeys Theatre were not
more brilliant last evening than tho per-
formance at one side OF them or the audi
ence at the other. The beautiful new house
was orcned with representation OF Tenny-
sons Beckett by Henry 1rving's company.
Intellect and fashion characterized the au-
dience. and riches too. for double the ordinary
prices had been charged for seats at the box
Office. while an auction salo md sidewalk traf-
ilc had still further swelled the amount paid
in. But IL anybody present felt that he was
| not getting his moneys worth. his dlssatisfac-
| tton was imperceptble In the general pleas
ure. The reception OF Mr.. Irving and Miss
| Terry was cordial to the extent OF considera-
bic enthusiasm. Tho progress OF the play was
accompanied by frequent applause OF which
there was still more at the ends OF the acts.
The audience was relieved OF tho duty OF
| making up its mind that the entertainment
was admirable. That question had been set
tle1 in London 10th critically and fashion,
ably. and Is it for n New York assemblago to
gainsay that judgment? But this time no
charge OF unthinking Anglomania can be sup
ported. Beckett" given in almost precisely
the same manner that had boon successful at
the London Lyceum was indeed production
to be praised unstintedly The company. the
over from the homo theatre. and SO Tenny-
eon's dramatic poem Of q struggle between
Church ana State-between Thomas il Beckett.
Archbishop OF Canterbury, and Henry H.. King
OF England-was spoken and illustrated in a
mastery way. At tho time OF the original
production at the Lyceum a full description
was published in The Sun. and 1t is not noces-
sary here to recount the curtailment and
transposltion deemed necessary by Mr.. Irving
In putting the play on the stage. the details OF
his devices for pictorial establishment. or the
reasons why work fit only in itself to be
read. has by stagecraft been made entertain
ing whom acted. TO the genius OF Mr. Irving
is due all the credit of making an enjoyable
theatrical use OF the Tennyson composition
He gives 1t in prologue and four acts re-
curing ten separate scenes. and all those
are accurate In minor particulars as
they are fine in general effect. The moro
impressive among them are the exterior OF
a castle in Normandy. whore the King and the
Chancellor play their significant game OF
chess: a chamber in Rockets house. where
l.. y, seeks and gains his protection: a
and the soldiery are at odds: n hall in North
cumberland castle. where the priest is defiant
before the bnrons: tent at Montmirail. where
the kings meet: the bower Of ROsGmoUd where
she is hidden away. and a tran sept in Canter-
bury Cathedral. where Eecia is slain Jy the
four knights mt the command OF HrHI?. The
public places shown were peoped rightly. and
an illusion Of reality was created. our public
knows how well MIR. Irving accomplishes such
undertakings This example is as good as
anything he has ever done.
rendering of Beckett that we have first men-
toned the visual merits of the production.
power and Gentleness. lie expresses the SOL
with equal fidelity his religious. devotion to
causes 10 confusion. the differing motives are
clear and the unconGuerahle personality of
ae a afssT is with nH' tGs Tsn DE-
lineatinG Berhr'. not as u man dominated by
lf-seekinC ambition. but, rs a, sanity
the people and their oppressors. MIR. Irving
gives to us the poets ideal hero. and makes Of
o Wh3eye nat se w b de IN
g So1tu and a%as LOIS s ~ % and Fz i%1cs
ing individualities. notwithstanding that each
portraiture is ike n composite photograph Of
The assumed character and the actor himself?
fact and Tennysun fiction in about equal but
well amalcanlated quantities.
soulful loving and lovable creature Of the
poem. with no moments of descent toward
language is spoken delight lilly. and. though
tho counterfeit Of yOuthfulness is not entirely
deceptive when the liz is bright on it. the
seemed excessively nervous and some of her |
scenes were impaired bythat. William Tcrriss |
i'm nues literary II. with proper fire and force. |
Thirty mcmters of tho l.yccunI company are |
il speaking roles. and weaknesses |
are scarce anon: them. There are several |
sh own let the iiteralists observe thisl not in |
accord with verity. hut in n most artistic and |
sired sights n.y. means oil arttul eNaEgeration.
The speaking i declamatOry. too. and there is |
n sustained effort to keep w that artillcinlity |
which gives glamour Of idoalism TO the per-
IOrmance.