New-York tribune., 1896-12-01
CAST or LONDON ASSURANCE.
MIR. TREE AT THE KNICKERROCKER.


MIR Recrbohm Tree and his dramatic company.
from London. continuing their American tour.
which began on November ~ In Washngton.-ap-
pcared last night. at the Knickerbockcr Theatre.
and presented new play by Mr.. Gilbert Parker.
called The Seats OF the Mighty" Mr. Tree has
many admirers. well In this community as at
home and his re-"ntrance upon the NewYork
stage. after an absence OF twenty moaths. gave
much plea sure and Il hailed with cordial APP
pause by large audience. Mr. Parker's play II
rapid and effective synopsis OF his familiar novel.
bearing the same title and telling romantic story
OF French and American life In the middle
OF the eighteenth century. The action begins In
Versailles and proceeds In Quebec. and the theme
Is the exposition OF complex character called Dol
taire.-an emissary from the Marquise de Pompa-
dour-who 10 In the quest OF letter essential 10
that exalted ladys mental peace and who desires to
separate "A pair Of lovers s-Aixe Duverney and Cap
tain Moray-for his own advantage Doltaire was
finely embodied by Mr.. Tree. whose adroit mechan-
Ism is always interesting and whose restless.
strenuous. dexterous art. among the rapidly shift
Ing phases OF melodrama. rides on the whrl
wind and directs the storm" The seats designated
as those OF the mighty are of course those of the
reckless arisocrats OF France In that time of regal
splcndor and hearess cru"lty.-the reign OF Louis
NV.-which already was ripening for the terrible
revolution OF g.
Mr. Parkers play. like his novel. appertains
to the realm of romantic adventure. in which
Stevenson Wcvman. Hope and Conan Doyle
have found many charms TO captivate the public
fancy. II contains much picture and many incl
dents: It's situations are sometimes striking; II
creates and sustans feeling OF suspense IL Is deft
ly suggestive and credibly pictorial of the life OF
long In scenes that are partly new TO the stage:
| and IT IL ncxiby written. Mr.. Trees acting made
fresh disclosure Of his talents. Ii Is the acting
Of professional expert usually hard. unlmagina-
tive without temperament or charm. but always
efficient; and. In the form OF IT, II Is excellent. The
picturesque demeanor. the chill aspect. and the in
flexible voice are exactly compatible with the
| iical mood and the invetcrate purpose OF Dol
taire. There several good actors in Mr. Trees
company.-among them the veteran Lionel Brough.
whose laurels have been won upon many "A field Of
artistic endcavor and fine achievement. and Miss
Kate Rorke. whose strength Is I'm sentiment and
comeness
! But 1t Is Doitairc. enacted by Mr. Tree that
makes the play and considering that, I'm u last
analysis the part is only that OF Il gay and inso-
lent scOundrel. niamed by sensual desire and
taned by audacity. he certainly derives from It a
| surprising amount OF effect. There is no feeling
| In either the part or the performance. but there
| IL plenty OF display. The piece would be lighter
and more perspicuous n II were somewhat re-
| iieved OF superhuous incidents and language. The
prologue is needless The play revves memories
Of the days Of BEL Demonio' and '"rhe Dukes
Motto"