The morning times., 1897-01-19

cious Grationo than is frequently seen,
and Mr. Jewett though he lacked dis
tinctness in reading, deserves the. warmest
praise for his contribution to the unity of
the picture by attention that was as cX-
preSsiye as words Beatrice Cameron was a
pretty and youthful Portia, and the argu-
mentative speech Of young Gobbo was
given with humor by Mr.. Andrews.
The scenery was plentiful and handsome
TIE perspective in the court scene was
the waters OF Venice, seen through three
high arches, and the play of sunlight
WAS very effectively reproduced by the
artist
This evening Mr. Mansfield presents
The Partisan Romance and tomorrow
afternoon new play, Castle Sonbras."
Otis Skinner returns in the dual role
OF actor and dramatist. A Soldier of For
tune" in which he last night appeared
at the New National, is the product OF
his own pen. Happily, his work in the two
capacities need no distinguishing quail
fication, both the play and the production
evidenced the dramatic genius which is the
endowment Of this young artist.
The play is romantic story of the
Borgia days in Italy. 1t has an historic
flavor but the historic has succumbed TO
the histrionic. where the best results could
not have been achieved with gentle
handling OF fact There is in it the gal
lantry OF tie cavalier, the bravado OF the
hero. the slash Of word, devotion of fair
women, designing of the sinister, and
triumph Of the innocent. without sug
gesting tie plays in question, it suggests
classification wifi Tho Prisoner Of Zen.
da,'' Under the Red Robe The Three
Guardsmen'' andotlfer best romantic plays
Constructiyely it suggests the work of
an actor who hats lived the technique OF
his art. The story is not told, it IL owes
The situations crfpwd each other and pro-
duce an intensity which is an admirable
Point for Play of this stamp. But this
same intensity is infused INTO the char
aoters with less happy result The high
lights are very strong Mr.. Skinner, the
dramatist, has given his characters op-
Iortunity- 1t is perhaps unfair to the
author To dissociate the play from the
playing, for he evidently wrote with the
foreknowledge that he was to vitalize the
drama himself and as the tailor says, 1T
will ali ONE out in the ironing
SO it did. "A Soldier of Fortune,'' as
written and played, is quite distinct The
pIay,ras play ed, is charming and inspiring
beyond any attractiveness of its separate
self TranSfused with the stars personality
AID the illumination of his artistic capa
hilities, which it is 10 impeachment of
Mr.. Skinner's vanity to suppose that he
foresaw, it is a dramatic contribution of
great value to the current stage, and an
rto,,, ,ay,+ ~ 10 ori--
which have carried all such plays TO equal
success.
OF Mr.. Skinner, the actor, much less need
be said by way of introduction. He is
unapproached a S romantic actor, aside
from his distinguished achievements as
character actor and ira gedian. His mag
netic presence, rare grace, the dashing
quality of colorng which he gives his per
formance, his fine voice and finished read
ing contribute to the fullness of his right
to be considered a great artist. As Torelii
he displays these brilliant qualifications.
the cnGow ent of twin sources, nature and
wears, of study and association with the
best professional companions. 1t is a de-
lightful Portrait of a medieval cavalier,
rich in dramatic coloring, and powerful
in it's appeal to the simplest element in
orr natures that one which awakens re-
sponsive to love and heroism for love- S
sake
The production is quite elaborate. 1t
involves fine stage pictures, contributed
to by handsome scenery and rich costum-
ing, and the company combines excellence
with numerical strength, Maud Durlin,
sweet woman and charming artistic, leads
the support A couple of historic charac ters
were excellentIy played without violence
to historic tradition, by Frederick Mosley
as Caesar Borgia and W. j. Constantine as
Machiavelli the famous Italian philos-
opber and statesman 1t is well enough to
record that Others in the large company
are Wadsworth Harris, Sarah TruaX, Guy
Post, Frank Sylvester and Eda Aberle, if
only TO advise those posted on the eff
cheney of well-known supporting actors of
the presence of such good players among
Mr.. SINNERS assistants, a.t,
After the third act the audience was very
insistent in it's curtain calls and finally in
its demands for a speech. Mr.. Skinner ac-
cepted the compliment gracefully and
made well-ten,pered and felicitous speech
which drew him into even closer sympathy
with all whose affection he had already
| won.
"A Soldier of Fortune will be repeated
this evening and tomorrow night, but to-
morrow afternoon The Lady OF Lyons
will be given. shakespearian productions
will monopolize the last half Of the week.
After an absence of several seasons,
''In Old Kentucky that quaint and Ie
alisticl portrayal of life ,andsincdent in
the Blue Grass country, came to the
"A ca denny. last evening. and the crflyydafl