The times., 1897-11-21

With tried successes At most Of the other
houses this week, the searcher for novelty
VIII turn t. the Columbia, where Charles
Coghlan VIII tomorrow night present, t9r
The frs time on any stage. unless we
except a dress rehearsal at AllentOWn on
friday night. his new play, a ROYAL
Box" It's not an experiment in tie same
sense that many new productions are.
for il is taken from known quantity
from Dumas famous drama, 'hean, Or
Disorder ma Genius which rs Oten pro
,lucad Ia Paris London and Berlin with
pre-euaiueut success. In Paris the leading
role Was rlayed by such eminent artists as
Naitre and Rossi, and in Berlin IL made 4
r7In ut 100 nights in a subscription theateE,
where he ruic prevailed that three new
play should be presented each week This
rule was broken at the insistent demand ot
the subscribers, who yeis carried away oy
tile pIeT.ts of The piece.
Inspired by such q source and possess
ing such great ability ss an author ana
actor a. Mr.. COehIan possesses, it is not
U5l- much L. expect that the success OF
The Royal Box" viii prove as great as
thc play from which it has been adapted.
In king Lis adaptation Mr.. Coghlau did
not .tuhere strictly TO the lines Of the
oilginal plece. either IN dialogue, story
OF situations. IN The Royal Box" these
are, 70 a great extent, original and NOR.
fitting 10 the lacale ana time which Mr.
CrghIan haS given his play.
The part which Nj. C0.hau iHterprets
in The Eoyal Box" Is on similar lines to
that of :he title role IL Kean." Clarence,
the actor, a ghly-nervCus, sensitive md
vain-elorisus man, generous to fault,
is ON terms OF personal friendship with
the Prince 3f Wales, son Cf George III
Tie loves i very beautiful woman Of eN-
cel.ent repute who moves in court circles,
and who has become infatuated with him
but solely as q great artist of the stage.
lIet refusal u her love 10 him as mdu
proves q great blow to him, aHJ lie
veilp in him an insane Jealousy Of he;
equals which disposition ~ mind serves
as a groundwork Cd which 70 base severdI
OF the strongest dramatic situations OF tie
play.
Tie incidcnt which gives the piece It's
title is said to be instinct with the great
est dramatic merit, and is Of such a diff
cult character to conviucmgly portra =
that Il o. said 10 even hazard the reputa-
ti0H Of even 50 good an actor Mr. Cogii-
ian. II Is stated that probably no other
actor on tie English-speaking stage would
attempt to play this part without great
hesitation. Mr CoghlaE enters upon It
fully realizing its difficulties, but feels
assured of success, not only because Of his
own years C. experience, but because he has
lad tn, berafit Of having seen both Maitre
and Rcssi play rhe Leading role in 'Kean. -
II Mr.. C0ghlan succeeds in giving con
Vincing performance Of the role Of Clar
encc, and in consistently portraying DC
great coafHct of emotions and passions
with w!li1h the character is besieged IN the
fourth act, II VIII greatly add To his rcSuCa-
ton.
The time Of the action OF the play give
splendid opportunity for effect in COS
tunes. The scenery used in staging the
piece viii be provided by the company and
consists Of five sets. In the fourth act q
fragment from the balcony scene of Juliet
will lie presented, ia which Mr. CoghIaD viii
appear as Romeoand his beautiful daughter
as juliet.