Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-10
THE PRISONER OF zENDA.
II Was Presented nj the Academy by
the Lyceum stock Co. Last Night.

The drama called 1.-THE Prisoner Of
Zenda." one Of the most fanciful. dell
cate. pathetic plays that the stage has
disclosed. was presented at the Academy
OF Music last night by Daniel Frohman's
Lyceum Stock Company. That piece,
work Of art which, with a few words, n
few def touches, through the excellent
medium of suggestion. reveals world
of feeling. Is an adaptation by Mr.. Ed
ward Rose from Anthony Hopes novel
of the same name.
"The Prisoner Of Zenda" is in pro-
logue and four acts. each OF symmetrical
proportion, and each rounded with dra-
matte picture. The prologue-the period
Of which antedates that Of the play by
l05 years-contains the clue 10 the sub
sequent acts. 1t depicts the discovery of
the infdelity of the Countess Rassen-
dyll. and the duel between the Earl. her
husband. and the Crown Prince of Ruri-
tania. in which the latter is wounded al
most to death. The discovery is brought
about by the Black Elphberg, cousin TO
the Prince and heir presumptive 10 the
throne.
In Act / the descendant of the Black
Elphberg. introduced in the pro-
logue, is still plotting against the
of the coronation of the repre-
sentative of the latter house, he takes adj
vantage of the Crown Princes convivial
habits to drug his wine. with a view to
hinderng his coronation, disaffecting the
populace. and securing the throne The
plan is frustrated by Colonel Sapt, aide
de-camp TO the Prince, who induces the
Earl of Rassendyll, who is travelling in
Ruritania, and whose personality is the
exact counterpart of that of his distin-
guished cousin. to impersonate the King
at the coronation.
In Act 2 the Kings substitute is
crowned. He meets the Princess Flavia.
betrOthed 10 the King and they love
each other. In Act the real King is
confined to the dungeon of Castle Zenda,
which belongs 10 the Black Elphberg,
who has discovered the ruse, but dare not
make it known, because Of his own plot.
Rassendyll determines TO release the
King. lie makes known his identity to
the Princess, whose love remains un-
changed. In Act the King is rescued
almost at the point TO die, the Black
Elphberg is slain. and Rassendyll and
the Princess follow the paths Of duty
and honor
The telling points Of the play succeed
each other in an ascending scale-the
Of the betrayal, the reckless passion of
the Black Elphberg, and the scene Of
the final vengeance, exceeding all pre-
vious effects in its clamOr OF tribulation
and in attributes of horror.
In the scores between the Princess ana
Rassendy- here is subtlety as well as
power, and they discover d deep know
ledge of the human heart.
Such a man as Rudolph Rassendyll is
human nature at its best fof he is as
pure as crystal, and when the hand OF
wealth and power is held out to him
he can sacrifice not them alone, but love
and life TO the plain principles Of honor
In the final scene, when he parts from the
woman who has grown TO be all in all
to him. the image stands boldly forth
of a man who has entertained high ideals
of life and love, but found them unattain-
able, and who smotheTs sorrow in his
heart and will play out the rest of the
play as sweetly and cheerfully as posi-
bic.
Mr.. Howard Gould presented a pic
turesque and eloquent figure, which he
assumed with the grace of perfect SIM
plicty. The PRESERVATION, without herocs
on the one hand, or sentimentality on the
other, carried TO many hearts a realization
that even the ideals of a dreamer may
have their practical use, and deep per-
ception of the chivalry that tells its mis-
tress. in the immortal words of Lovelace:
/ could not love thee. dear, so much,
Loved / not honor more.
Miss Irving's performance of the Prin-
cess was refined, natural, and sweet. Miss
Odell is also worthy of special commenda-
ton. and Messrs. Elliott, McClannin. Gla-
ser were excellent in their respective
roles.
There will be matinee and evening per-
formances to-day.