New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-19
STAGE s. MORALS.
AID BEERBOHM TREE-THE NEW CUES.
TON OF DRAMATIC MORALS-"JOHN
DREAMS"--"THE MASQUERADERS"-
MR.. HENRY JAMEs's NEW PLAY.


London. December 5.
AR Beerbohm Tree begins this week on
~hursday that series Of revivals OF rehearsals
they are both--which mark the closing OF his
crescent season and his departure for the
1rnited States. He plays The Red Lamp" and
"rhe Ballad Monger'; in each of which he has
mar, we'll suited to him and in each is excellent
These are given in the afternoon. albeit John
n,eams" is also given twice the same week in
the afternoon. making nine performances in all
!. trying experiment for most men. but Mr. Beer
hohm Tree is a kind Of dramatic athlete and
.sems never to know fatigue. He announced
.Hamlet'' for his farewell to London. Forth
with there was such a demand for seats that he
ssl, himself obliged to give two representations
~ the Melancholy Dane instead Of one
OF course you will him the Prince Of
psnmark In New-York and will not say a word
about his acting of that particular part; or, at
most a very few words. An impression pre-
walls here that American audiences have of late
heen growing indulgent. There came over-it Is
true by cable and without distinct informa
non who paid for the dispatch--a statement
that Mr. Wilson Barretts Hamlet had been re-
ceiyed In America with favor. 1t may be So
II may be that Mr. Barrett plays 1t differently in
vew-York from London. That If true, would eX
main the favorable reception of ii in New-York
whatever the truth be with respect to Mr.. Will
am Barrett Mr. Beerbohm Tree is not the man
~ ask for nor desire, any kind Of indulgence.
Ne seeks TO be Judged on his merits and his
merits are Of a kind so substantial and varied
hat Indulgence would be totally out Of place.
never thought him at his best In this dreamy
masterpiece Of metaphysical speculation. Others
a. But whether he is at his best or not he is
interesting; he plays the part almost avowedly
a An experiment. he has new readings and new
business: and he does undoubtedly hold an Eng
,sh audience by performance some portions
~ which require more than courage TO conceive
and render.
OF courage. Mr.. Beerbohm Tree has always
a store He proved it. as think said, when he
produced. Mr.. Haddon Chambers's John
Dreams" Ever since that lugubrious play was
first seen. have been expecting a revolt, or
At least a protest. The protest has come at
last; of revolt the bookings and box-otfice figures
,,ve. I believe. no sign whatever but the con-
trary The way in which protest is made in
,hs country is by a letter to THE Times" The
letter has appeared. The indictment is drawn
no, against John Dreams only but against
the Modern Society Play. with plot of the
lowest type of slckly immortality" The plot is
described rather crudely; then comes the in
eyitable Now sir, 1t is intolerable that this
nauseous and degrading story should be foisted
upon the public etc, etc" An appeal Is made
10 Mr. Tree with his lofty ideas Of the function
Of a theatre as a medium OF education" Why
did he produce such play? Well. If You come
10 that why did Mr. George Alexander pro-
duce The Masqueraders"? Why did Mr.. Irving
produce Mr. Willss travesty of Faust? Is 1t an
answer 10 say that they all had a great COM
mercia success?
To this protest Mr.. Tree who never lets much
grass grow under his feet. makes spirited II
not quite conclusive reply. He points out errors
In his critics version Of the plot. The errors
do not much affect the validity of the criticism
Then he scars to very considerable heights The
question. he declares lis one which aHects
the freedom Of the thinking community; which
IN the best interests of art should always re-
main untrammelled" Yes. but is the freedom OF
~ thinking or unthinking dramatist or even
Of the manager with a theatre TO fill. TO remain
untrammelled? There are and must be tram
meis. Morality imposes them, so does decency,
and so does that public opinion which In the
last resort governs everybody and everything
The real question is whether Mr.. Chambers has
exceeded fair limits. good many people think
he has. ard that he has made his play need
essly reDulsive.
Mr. Tree asks, smartly enough us the literary
dandy to be permitted to pass vote OF censure
on Scripture because. forsooth. Magdalen was for
~veny.' Smart as this is-though the Noncon-
formist Conscience would certainly shake its head
ii does not help the argument. Mr.. Tree thinks
this generation has outgrown the short skirts Of
the Young lady OF fifteen; she is not any longer
10 be permitted to sit in censorship on the drama
hns vat
does Mr.. Tree wish to exclude even the young
lady o, fifteen from his theatre? she pays full
price short skirts or long There is grimy side to
"John a Dreams"-a side which Is needless ORA
mat,cally and offensive If not TO morals to taste
Therefore IL might we'll have been omitted. That
however. is a matter on which New-York VIII
form, its own Judgment The play remains in
terest!ng and effective spite Of its blemishes ana
spite OF Mr.. Chambers's too great readiness 10
tread in the footsteps Of Mr.. Pinero.
Tho acting ~ II was so ordered as 10 lessen.
not increase whatever there is In the piece that
ia renulsive Mr. Tree Is discreet. Harold wynn
takss onium hut not too much opium. lie re-
mains master of himself and OF his audience lie
masses lightly over such portions OF the tale OF
vice az comes 10 his ears Mrs. Patrick Camp
bell. who has TO tell the tale. tells 1t with pa
thetic sirnplicity which redeems IL dramatically
whatever II may do morally. In her hahds' ha'e
Cloud IL so delicate, womanly. reserved as ai'"os'
TO make one ask whether her career OF vice ma
left a stain The art may be dangerous II !"
beyond question art and very beautfui art
Mr.. Tree appeals with some force asai"s. INC
coming censorship of the London County |ou"
ell: or against the possible coming III Una. "e
will have the support and sympathy OF 'he pe''
part Of the community Prudery and PAU fry
NAY hunt In couples. but Will never or'"s Wv"
much game. What Mr.. Tree fails 10 eohS'ue' 10
that "John a Dreams" lends itself to the enemy
the freedom OF the legitimate drama be threat
sned. as perhaps It Is, why should the dramatist
Or the manager put a weapon In the hands OF
those who threaten II? He asks whether latter
Ay purists are to impugn Greek tragedy? Would
he nut ALI Crock tragedies on the HaymarKet