The Indianapolis journal., 1895-09-22
IRVING'S GREAT PLAY
FIRST PRODUCTION IN AMERICA OF
"KING ARTHUR AT MONTREAL.
on Week I'm Local Leading Theaters-
"Bonnie Scotland Coming to the
Grand--varfety Houses.


pany, which is to be seen in indianapolis
next March. gave the first American pro-
duction of Comyns Carr's king Arthur
at the Montreal Academy Of Music last
Thursday night. This play is Mr.. Irving's
latest great success in stage craft. All ac-
couts make 1t the biggest melodramatic
and scenic production Irving ever at
tempted. The play is detailed as follows:
The curtain rises on a beautiful scene
specially designed by Sir Edward Burne
Jones and spledldly executed by Halves
Craven. 1t represents lake studded with
rocky islets, around one of which hovers the
spirits of the magic mere. King Arthur
and Merlin, the magician, approach the
strand and from the lake raises the sword
which, at Merlin's command, the spirits de-
liver to Arthur. The King is granted a
vision of Guinevere and mystic prophecy
by Merlin foretells his tragic fate.
This ends the brief prologue, which is
chiefly remarkable for its scenic effects and
its suggestion of the mystic and supernat-
ural The drama proper opens in the great
hall at Camelot, another magnificent scene
with background of blue hills against a
sunlit sky. Many years have passed since
the time of the prolouge. and Arthur has
long ruled realm of peace. Comyns Carr
has only borrowed the outlines of his story
from the Arthurian fable; indeed. he may
De said to have taken little beyond the ro-
mantle setting and the characters
Here and there one can discern an echo
or Tennyson, but the action follows a differ
ent course to that of the ''Idylls Of the
King" or any Of the old Arthurian ro-
mances. Lancelot had been in love with
Elaine till he saw Queen Guinevere, for
whom he conceived a secret attachment.
Guinevere, although he knows it not. is in
with him on behalf OF Ealine that first pro-
yokes from him a declaration of his love.
10 his astonishment she acknowledges her
prompted by EIaine's request. Lancelot
gives up the quest of the holy grail on
which he was going to crush his passion.
Act second takes place in a delightful
rustic scene. Lancelot and Guinevere, con-
versing together in a bower, are overheard
by Mordred. who spies upon them. Mordred
Is plotting with Arthurs enemies to over
throw him and seize the crown, and he
takes advantage of the secret he has
learned to try to attach Lancelot to the
conspiracy. Offering him the hand of Guine-
Lancelot Indignantly spurns his proposals,
and Mordred then reveals to the King the
guilt Of Lancelot and Guinevere, using this
lot against him and cloak his own teacher
Gus designs The occasion is the arrival
Of the body Of Ealine on a black barge,
we're. Lancelot would deny Mordreds
charge, but the Queen at once confesses
her guilty love- Arthur refuses to take
Iancelot's life and leads out his knights
10 war against the enemies Of the kingdom
The curtain falls upon a striking situation
portrayed with fine spectacular effect
In act four we see Guinevere in prison.
Mordred comes to offer her the crown and
his hand, saying Arthur has been slain by
Lancelot She rejects his advances, and on
his accusation of treason she is condemned
ha An rrVk ol,o
pears to do battle her behalf, and re-
veals himself to Mordred at once at Arthur.
In the combat Arthur Is mortally wounded.
dred and 10 sacrifice his own life. Arthur
gives Sir Bedivere the sword to cast into
the sea. and is borne on barge by, the
three Queens of Night to the sweet isle of
Avalon. Thus the drama is brought to
most effective close, and the note of roman
tic mysticism which was struck at the open
ing Is re-echoed as the curtain falls.
Comyns Carr also appeals to English ma
tional sentiment. for the final chorus cele-
brates the island home whose sword is in
the sea. foreteiling England's future great
ness. IL may be questioned whether this is
appropriate to the Arthurian legend, but as
romance the play is certainly an artistic and
an acting success.
Sir Arthur Sulivan's musical setting
greatly enhances the romantic atmosphere
The scenic effects are most charming and
the costumes are perhaps more magnificent
than anv Irving has brought TO this conti-
nent De1Ore. 1ney were all specially de-
signed by Burne Jones, who also sketched
the scenery. the actual painting being done
by Halves Craven and Harlxer.
AS to the acting. Irving makes a very no
hle and majestic King Arthur Comyns
Carr's Tennysonian blank verse suits his
deliberate style of delivery and his manner
ssms less noticeable than usual He is
very ably supported by Ben Webster as
Lancelot. most important part, making
constant demands upon the actors greatest
mowers of facial and dramatic expression
Frank Cooper plays Mordred. which affords
much less scope. Sydney Valentine makes
a most impressive Merlin, not the usual
stvle OF stage parsonage seen. with a long,
white beard. but majestic figure, unbowed
by age. with a full and powerful voice. de-
ncuncing judgment.
In different way Miss Maud Milton is
EQUALLY successful the spirit OF the lake.
The chief honors. of course. fall to Ellen
Terry as Guinevere. no other woman's part
coming anywhere near hers in Importance.
1t is the character of queenly woman.
overborne by passion. but retaining MANY
noble traits. Her struggles are finely por-
traved. and her ultimate abandon is power
fully presented.
.rnlia Arthur the American actress whom
Irving has recently enlisted in his COM
pary. looked exceedingly prettv. as Elaine,
and said her lines with admirable enuDcia-
ton and EXPRESSION Though she had not a
great deal to say. she made most favor
able impression, and was warmly applauded.