The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-13
A NEW PLAY.
Material Fit For a Dumas or a Sardou
TO Work.

One of the works OF Francois Coppee's. and
not the least among those which have distin'
guished him in French literature. was a play
entitled. "For the Crown" IL was one OF the
theatrical succ.s SEES OF the Paris stage In 1894.
ard IL has had much vogue there and else
where In Europe. but It's first representation
in English was given AZ Palmer's 4 heater.
New Ycrk, Monday. The translation had
been made faithfully, symIatheticaiiy, ana
and literary companion OF the author.
Ample preparation tor the performance had
been made, ta-tefLllya and amhitiously. under
the direction OF Edward Vroom, and with he
money and other iavors OF a hundred New
York men interested in dramatic art. The
conditions were therefore, conducive 70 the
successful introduction OF Mr.. Coppee to
Americans as "a playwright.
a fine audience was present, IL was In a re.
ceptlve mood, and IL was seeiningly Impressed
win The intrinsic worth OF the composition.
but the entertaining value of the play In this
country. the possibility OF making ~ rive
satisfaction TO our audiences, the number OF
people who would he willing 10 accept II In
lisu q matter imbued with ac'able qualities
those were questions which were left unceter-
mined.
The audience was respectful, II not pro-
founoly engross ell. II admired the authors
work. no doubt. and should have been pleased
with much that was done with IL on the stage,
even ~ here was no great enthusiasm overn.
For the Crown" l. IA tragedy OF TN. Balkan
Mountains toward TIE end ct the 10Th cen,
- -
land has died. A victorious general copspires
To place himself on the throne. To that end
he secretly agrees TO deliver his country TO its
enemies. TN. Turks. on condition that they
will sustain him in a tributary monarchy.
The hero OF the play is the generals son. who
discovers the plot. end in consequence Il torn
ty the question whether TO be- loyal to his
parent or to his countrymen.
Filiai respect aud patriotism contend for
the mastery OF the yonng man. The upshot IL
that the son slnSs the father rather than let
bin hetray tho country to the Turks.
ihe people think that The nan has died
heroically, and erect a monument to his mem
ory. The son is. not exrosed Us n parricide,
ana he keer s silent. He is urged by his step
mother 10 commit the act Of political treach,,
cry which his father had undertaken, end
when he refuses she brings about his UNJUST
conviction as n disloyal soldier. He is SEN
tenced 90 be kept chained 70 the statue for
the remainder Of his life. He rrays for the
release OF death. and n plying slave girl,
who loves him, slabs him upon his urgent re-
quest.
In the hands Of a Dumas such n story as
that would have dramatized into such an en-
tertainmant ns New Workers miRbt throng 70
yielded Srole ft for n Rernhardt, instead OF
being lamentahly scant in feminine clement.
fut Coppee knew no stacecraft, or. ~ he
did. he scorned TO practice II. The Renaud
version. like the original, was in lengths OF
admirable verse, imaginative and eloquent,
fur-favored with meanings. but not stirred
by sufficient action TO save IL rom monotony.
d is true that n COMPANY OF great actors
might have impaired q relieving variety To
the Ions. passages of inactive defamation.
None OF the Interpreters OF the parts was
capab'e az such an achievement.
Edward Vroom. who plaved the hero, hal
a strong and flexible voice AID GOOD prohct
encv In elocution, but was deficient IN M
metic mower and not endowed By nature with
an authoritative presence.
The men among his companions NAV as we'll
not he named, because none OF them can DO
praised. Rose Cophlan may he commended
fos her resolute effort with the part OF an
melting piotter. and Maud Harrison for q
at4ts Aafs .aavta % fhn 1nVa
The outfit OF scenery and costumes was ex.
cellent nrt and very beautiful. IL may easily
he. as was promised, that the mounting wac
an Improvement upon what had been done in
Paris.
Indeed. Mr.. vroom distinguished himself as
an able and liberal producer.