New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-19

With their consciences: but il will not be incon-
sstent If close this letter with q brief account
Of the remarkable stage pictures presented In
me revival of las You Like It. at the ST.
Jamess Theatre this week. Nothing more beau-
.iful than the court. forest and wedding scenes
has been witnessed in London for many day
II was not necessary for Mr. George Alexander
20 consult with Mr. Alma -Tadema in order TO
avoid anachronsm and to provide truthful as
we'll as artistic Suggesting. Unlike "Cymbe-
Inc" with its incongruous combination OF clas-
sic Roman interiors and primeva British con-
ditions OF nakedncss relieved with polished
Woodworking AS You Like It," with Its
French princes and Spanish castles. may be
staged for any period OF feudal history, with
costumes and accessories which picturesque
and beautiful. Like "Cymbeline," 1t Is a ro-
nance of farsland. a lovely dream Of golden
realms Of inspired poetic ina gina ton; and the
stage manager is licensed to illumine this en-
chanting story of radiant and bssful love with
all the resources of his art This has been done
with high degree Of artistic success in this
instance. Old playgoers I'm London frankly ad
nit that they have never seen so brightly col
ored and sumptuous production OF the comedy.
Nor have they ever been delighted with a
glimpse of stronger. manlier or more sensitive
Orlando than Mr.. AleXanders. He has the
sturdy figure for the part and is able to give
fine. sinewy athletic exhibition in the wrestling
bout: but what is better, he has the eager. re-
fective face of Rosalind's ardent. impetuous
and perplexed lover. he has the dignity Of bear
ing BETTING the high melted yet gracious prince
who is capable of inspiring love at a glance:
he has the melodious voice required for a SYM
pathetic reading of the text: and he has the
subtle power of investing the part with the
oil ~ Ia Or nd 1vill
be long remembered an ideal performance
characterized by sensibility and exaltaton of re-
fined passion. Miss Julia Nelson's Rosalind
lacks the incessant sparkle and vitality of Miss
Rehan's representation of the woman to whom
love is the breath of life: but it is high spir-
tied, tender gracious and frolicsome. While
she does not fill the stage Miss Rehan does.
with the charm of her presence. piquancy and
innocent glee. she gives fine performance, we'll
defined in purpose, spontaneous and impulsive in
action and we'll sustained in the scenes of
PRECIOUS mockery when she is bewildering and
tantalizng her lover She sings With fascnat-
ing sweetness and animation the cuckoo song.
when daisies pied and violets blue" and. while
not an ideal Rosalnd, is charming and VIM
some.
For the remaining parts there is a rare COM
bnation Of talents. Mr. Esmond's Touchstone
is original and almost audacious grotesque in
action, grim in ronical effects and decidedly
novel in much of the pantomime. Mr. James
Fernandez the exiled Duke. Mr.. W. II. Yer
non as Jacques and Mr.. Lorraine Adam give
fine exhibitions of the old-time method Of act
ing. Mr.. II. r. Irving is fairly effective as
Oliver, and Miss Dorothea Baird Enthusiastically
revives "reminiscences of Trilby by her appear
ance as Phoebe. While the entire cast is
strong. one of the most charming surprises is
the transformation of Celia. ordinarily subordi-
nate and unobtrusive. into a prominent part
fascinating in interest. This is done by sheer
force of intelligent byplay in facial expression
and by melodous rendering of the lines Miss
Fay Davis came to London year ago from
Boston without experience on the stage and
without other resources than her beauty and
her skill In parlor recitation. The drawing
rooms of the West End have been opened To
her. and her successful career at two of the
best theatres has been watched with sympa-
thetic interest by host of fashiona BILE friends.
The example of Mr. DAILY has been followed.
for all the beautiful songs in the text are in
troduced the two pages of the banshed Duke
are brought In, and Hymen and the Masque
are restored with the epilogue. The terracei
garden of the usurping Duke thronged with
courtiers men, at arms. falconers and serfs;
the woodland scenes of Arden. with their giant
oaks silvery pools and groups of foresters. and
the revel of color and graceful movement when
the beautiful masque of Hymen is sung and
danced are pictures which linger in the memory
and umne with loneliness and brightness
Shakespeare's dreamlike romance. The music
is worthy Of the scenes. much of 1t being new
and written by Mr.. Edward German. a clever
composer OF Shakespearian accomplishments 1t
has been Mr. Alexanders ambition to surpass
all previous presentations OF this comedy IN
London, and he has been eminently success
ful l. y. +.