The morning times., 1896-11-28
1SEATS OF TIE MIGHTY "
Gilbert Parkers Play Given Its
Initial Production.
at the Lafayette Pronounce
1t q Success.

The extensively anticipated production
| OF Gilbert Parker's dramatization OF his
own novel, Seats of the Mighty" was
given last night at the Lafayette Square
Opera House by Mr.. Beerbohm Tree and his
company. Much hung In the balance over
Ihe rate or the new play. 1t was Mr. Park
ers Ilrst attempt at dramatic construction,
M. free has counted upon its success for
the me aaspieiaals opening Of his new London
curing the. fpurse Of his short American
season. 1t may be granted, as Mr. Tree
~, SAID IN ms aecond speech last night, that
ming popular approval.
ine production suggests itself for con-
sideratlOn from 30 many points of view:
as play, as Il reproduction of the novel,
as a performance. Seats OF the MignJy9.
possesses the highly colorcd elements OF ro-
nance. gallantry. love and adventure,
and almost exclusively. It is lived with
color and fervent In action. The story is
wen devised and presented with really
skiilfuI constructive Ingenuity. The more
remarkable is this when it is considered
how faithful Mr. Parker has been to his
own story. Necessarily there We're transit
tons from the sequence of the novel. and
cohdensatinns, alterations and new matter
was introduced, but essentially the story
of the play Is the story of the book, and
the ret der who had not seen the play must
have recognized the broad dramatic pos
sibilities of Mr.. Parker's first work
Interest centered in Mr.. Trees part and
the manner OF his performance. 1t Is but
Justice to him to say that he has the most
difficult sort of part to handle, and he in
terprets it in a IN amer that doubles his
task. With some failings he surmOunted
In the book he is a fascinating character
because he is an undisguised villain. He is
polished, keen. witty, honorable in
ing scoundrei But lie is clear cut and at
tractive as defined character. In the
play either Mr. Parker or Mr.. Tree.and it
is hard to analyZe the measure which au-
thor and actor have brought to the forma-
tlon OF the role-has made him villain ap-
pcaling for our sympathy. We can admire
% viilaiL. sympathize with him, never. The
seemed to cherish Alike with every manly
sentiment Only his means and persistence
while another lover, designed unmistaka-
finally her husband. The affections of the
audience wavered and when nearest to the
point of taking Doltaire into its good
graces was repulsed by the villain that was
in him showing its claws.
Perhaps Mr. Trees idea was to make
him plausible. But we still cling TO some
OF the dramatic conventions and a stage
villain must be deep dyed and scOundrel
through and through. He can improve him
by n.aking hin, more incisive, adding more
OF the polished steel which is now shcathed
in a velvet scabbard. In the first act Mr.
Tree was irreproachable as the superficial
yet witty and sophisticated exquisite of the
court Of Louis Ky. The second act found
MN keyeu 10 lDTllsSitlO VIII u MOD winch
he could have handled more effectively
with less bravura and more cool tietermin-
alton. The third act furnished him an
excellent and eXcellently played scene of
proposal to Alike and the next act brought
an equally admirable scene prior TO the
dance.
Miss Rorke has abundant opportunity as
the fair Alike. though a trifle more rouge
upon her pale cheeks and more color IN her
earlier scenes would have brought her
earlier into the favor that she deserved
Mr.. Caultey. as Moray, displayed melo-
dramatic earnestneSs which was at many
points in harmonious keeping with his role
but was SO persistently sustained that it
destroyed the opportunity for contrasts.