The times., 1897-03-23
LAST NIGHTS PLAYS

Wilton Lackaye, star, in constellation
of exs stars, appeared ut the New National
last night, and as given q cordial welcome,
demonstratiye testimony of the pleasure
his friends find in his present distinguished
position and their appreciation of those
talents which have placed him there. The
| vehicle of his abilities is a new play by
! Charles Klein, "Dr Bcigraff''
Independently of certain scientific con-
sderations, the play Is strong and praise
| worthy work. 1t is constructed with tech
| nical perfection, as evidenced in the inter
| est in tie plot, its progression, it's absorb
ing scenes and Convincing situations. The
dialogue is elegant and pungent tits finish
| ed down to sleek exactitude aud every seu-
/ tence Is purposefuI
| The dranIatist, however, begs a point
| of scientific fact in assuming that pure
! honorable conscience may be perverted in
hypnosis TO lie, or do any act opposed TO
its own conception of right. All scientific
authorities agree that in hypnosis the sub
1ecs is free moral agent That is the one
weakness of Mr.. Kiein's otherwise powerful
play. tits for public opinion to say whether
such licenses are tolerable. The audience
last night took no umbrage, but apparently
accepted the piece Just as 1t is offered, at
its dramatic value.
The story is subtle and complicated. DR..
Belgraff is a scientist with hypnotic po wers-
For great wrong done his sister he kills
her betrayer. The only witness TO his
crime is the dead mans sister. To save
himself he throws her into the hypnotic
state and CAUSES her to accuse her own
betrothed OF Belgrafrs crime. But his
influence wears out. The girl reeoyeFs and
tells the truth. but when Belgraff is found
he has taken poison, and stands in corner
of his room, dead
In all respects but the one pointed out, the
author has written with admirable con
sistercy, and his appi eciatiGn Of dramatic
value is evidenced in situations and eli
makes which thrill his auditor.
Mr.. Lackaye. of course, was DR.. Bel
graft To those who had never seen
his Svengal ii came home with the same
astonishing, irresistible power. The sub
tleties OF the artist, the resources of the
actor, made marvels of the character. But
for those who had seen Syengali the iden-
tity Of the two was inevitably recognized
Eelgraff is sympathetic Svengaii in u
new story. Beleraff sastains MI Lack
ayes title to being greatest melo-
dramatic character actor, and it advances
his reputation beyond the point to which
Svengali raised it, inasInuch as it shows
plainly that his triumph in Syengali was
not merely the dominance of the character. |
for he achieved equally potent results |
with another role. |
The company is Unexceptionaily admir- |
able Marie Wainwright plays the hyp-
Noticed sister, and she acts as delight |
fully and looks and dresses as beautifully |
as when her charms were the central |
figure Dear old Mr.. COuldOck does some |
OF the best work OF his career now in the |
twilight of his years. 1t is to be hoped |
that the gracious art Of this fine old actor |
may be spared many years to give US as |
he does the best traditions OF the stand
ard old school which he represents. Other |
admirable work was done by Forrest |
Robinson. j oseph Allen. Byron Dougi1s. j.
w Rennie. Edwin Wallace, and the Misses
Alice Evans and Grace Lamkin The
piece is staged with artistic attention to
every possibility. There will be "a mat
inae tomorrow.