New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-12
THE DRIU1-.uCSIC.
\ NOVELTY AT PALMER'S THEATRE
FOR THE CROWN"

niece called For the Crown written by Mr
Francis Coppee and translated from the French BY
Mr. Charles Renaud was produced az Palmer .
Theatre last night by Mr.. Edward Nroom, and
the presentation OF il was observed with patience
by n considerable audience. In its original form
this piece was acted for the first time about year
ago at the OGeon. In Paris. and lately an adapta-
ton has been Indirectly announced for performance
az the Lyceum Theatre. in London. BY Mr. FORBES
Robertson The play is romantic and pictorial.
and, as now presented at Palmers Theatre. II de-
serves some favor. partly because It is nofensve
and partly for the sake OF some OF the actors who
appear In 1t. The includes Miss Rose Coghlan.
Miss Maud Harrison, Mr.. John \. Lane, Mr..
Charles Kent and other performers.-Mr Edward
Vroom being conspicuous the leader OF the
company. The scenery is remarkably handsome
and effective and upon scenic effects must be
placed the chief reliance of the production. II
was no doubt written for the stage. but It had the
effect OF being the synopsis OF novel and it 10
much more a spectacle than play.
The prncipa. situation involves the crime Of
parricide Brancomir. old soldier. instgated
by his young, beautiful and ambitious wife. wishes
10 make himself King OF the Balkans and this re
undertakes TO do by betraying his city the Turks.
He takes the place of a sentinel IN a mountain
pass. and he determines to leave unlghted certain
beacon fire which ought blaze at midnight. His
son. Constantin. who is aware OF the intended
treason, confronts him there and. after long
alteration. fights with hum AMI kills him. The
situation not made dramatic but literary. X
Constantin had arrived with torch. or even
Lucifer match. and touched off the slgna.,-wnich
would have been the natura. action under the cir
cumstances-there would have been need or .
pro,racted colloquy ard no occasion for parricide
CCnstantin IS subsequently trapped by his vlndlcuVs
stepmother and condemned to die a traitors deatn'
and at the last is suddenly slain by devoted
female slave who also Stays herself.-a proceeding
which. together with its accompanying eloquehcs
would have been readily prevented by the neisn'
boring guards.
Mr.. Vroom. who enacted Constantin. does not I'M
personate and is not much an actor as an orator
He detained: and as his voice, though copious, y
unsynpathetc while his articulation Is nasal anu
his manner artificial the effect was that OF tedious
noise No person in the cast succeeded IN creatins
even a momentary Illusion. Miss Rose CoghiaII
as the Princess Bazilide. had TO play sOrt OF
miniature Lady Macbeth, and she ala tnat Win
touch of power and she was an object or Impressive
beauty The characters are. in strange way.
remote from human sympathy. ana the story i hos
in the least interesting Great care mas peeh tdnei.
10 set this play In a magnificent manner, ana u
seems a pity that such commendable endetN,os
dramatic fabric. This is the cast:
consantin a youthful soldier. Edward Vroom
Michel Brancomir. his father Charles g. tfAIs
Etenne the Bishop King John A. Iahe
Benko turkish tnaries NM
Turkish chief ..f NJ - -.
Iazar soldier. .................. Benjamin Hornihs
Page Princess Bazilde ............... Ida sole:
prnsess Razlide wife Of Michel Rose coshan
Militia. dancing girl MAUD iia s.s
Anna, attendant On Bazde. olive Wess