The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-08-25
THE LONDON STAGE.
Narouis of Lorne Has Written
the Libretto Of an Opera.
wilson Barretrs Success In His
New Play, 1.-The Manxman."
Lillian Russell Bids Fair to Win
Fresh Laurels.

Copyrighted, 1894. by the Associated Press)
LONDON, Aug. 25.-There has been nc
,ovelty at the theatres this week. but
the air is full Of busy preparations fol-
the September openings.
The Marquis of Lorne has entered the
list of "librettists" and has prepared
the book Of an opera, to which Mr..
uamish McCunn has written the music.
The subject matter has not yet trans
nred. but the subject doubtless is
scotch, and the author Is rather an
adept at "rhymerei," having turned the
psalms into verse, or rather rhymes,
some years ago.
Mr.. Hamish McCunn is not Known as
vet as a composer of anything more am.
bilious than usually falls to the song
writer. The Marquis is ambitious to
have his work performed at a West End
theatre; but Her Majesty, who is ex-
ceedingly sensitive to ridicule, has re.
fused permission, coupling the refusal
with a partial promise to have 1t pro.
duced at Windsor or Balmoral.
Mr.. Wilson Barrett produced at his
Leeds Theatre last Wednesday 1.-THE
Manxman," an adaptation of his friend
Hall Gaines new book of the same
name. 1t is an exceedingly powerful
play, drawn from an exceedingly power
full book-a book the critics have not
hesitated to describe as "one of the very
finest novels of the century,"
In THE Manxman" the tragedy has
three victims-two men ana a woman.
The David, in the hands Of Mr. Game,
is Phillip Christian, the man born
| TO success, the man of ideals and ambi-
tons, the man whose ideals are never
far beyond his grasp and whose am
bitions fulfil themselves as easily as
OF the plot Is Phillip Christians lille
climate cousin, Pete" who looks up
10. loves and worships him; the Bath
sheba Is Kitty Creegan, soft, beautiful
and maynard, with heart enough to
make tragedy of life and not quite
head enough to rule the stars Of destiny,
her own, Pete's or Phillips
What follows is the threadbare theme
Of opera. leitmotifs of THE Scarlet Let
ter" of "A Dolls House." of THE ST.
lence of Dean Maitland" Pete goes away
to make his fortune at the diamond
fields; Phillip undertakes the task of
the Manx Dooiney Falla, lover by
proxy, With duties or moral guardianship
over the girl. while the man himself is
at the herrings," or away at the
mackerel," or abroad on wider voyages.
Philip fights hard against his love;
Kate fights hard against hers. So long
as loyalty fights only against love, loyal
| ty conquers. Word comes that Pete
has been killed; passion takes possession
OF Phillip; Kate falls. Pete returns and
marries Kate. who, like Nora Helmer.
hopes Phillip will somehow work mira
Gle and save her from Pete. But Philip
stands best man to Pete at the we'd
ding, and from this hour the tragedy
hastens to the inevitable.
A child Is born to Kitty-it is Philips
she leaves the child with Pete and files
10 Philips care. Pete tries to shield
her by making out that he has sent her
to England for her health. And then he
comes slowly to read in the face of the
child the dread secret. the features of
Philip.
In scene of immense pathos Pete
gives the child up to its father. Then 1t
Is that Philip has to reckon with his
soul, and in the hour of his worldly trl-
umph is called on to take the highest
ONCE in the little kingdom, and, as
Deemster, to try Kate. who, in her de-
spair. has attempted suicide. In the
presence Of the island notables he rises
from his chair and makes the reparat ton
Of a public confession, degrades himself
before his people, and steps down from
the Judges seat to take from the cell
the woman he has ruined and whose de-
rotion has blasted his career.
Mr.. Barrett played Pete and Miss
Jeffries was the Kate.
In Mr.. Barrett's hands Pete was a
Robsonian part, suggestive Of Ham Peg
Toty; It w. Percival played Phillip
Christian.
Thara MARA Rua acta aod Ave- ecapao