The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-11
DRAMATIC OBSERVATION.
MoDJEsKA DEToTEs HER IDMIRI-
BLH ART 70 oMARI sTUART.O

The Fetish Actress mas Lost In Eorce but Yet
In Hicety-A Finely EHsotive gnevysterr,
Scene ana Hts sentimental vslue In sway
Down Hsstn-son,e Hetes or tho Aetoru.
Helena Modjeska 10 acting this week at the
Fifth Avenue Theatre In MARY Stuart" Much
Of the strong personal charm. which has been .
potent factor in the fame of the Pohsh actress
10 approciablo still. and her refinement, the ex-
quisite delicacy Of her methods and her grace
fulness are yet the notable elements of her art.
She gives to the role Of Mary deep pathos and
tenderness. Those are go dominating in her
performance that even in tho opening speeches
Of the forest scene her delight at freedom is
tempered with a touching sadness. Throughout
that famous interview between the two queens
these traits are most obvious. The denuncia-
ton OF Elisabeth. which closes the act, ia not
MS powerful rs Il was when Mime. Modjeska's
voice was stronger than it is to-day. In that
episode now there is scarcely o trace of pas
sion or fire; but up to that point there Is scarcely
a moment in the act which could be advan.
tageously changed In its treatment. That fact
alono would compensate those unfamiliar with
Nine. Modjeska's skill. Very few actresses
on the stage to-day represent what she does in
dramatic art. II would be idle to say that she
has not lost through illness and age. but much
that was characteristic of her powers at their
best is still to be felt. Her carriage Is beauti-
fully graceful and dignihed. Her suggestions
Of a queenly demeanor arise seemingly from q
natural distinction which could never be put
on with her ruff and her cap. II the opening
scene of tho third act, with its gratitude at re-
lease, are not as buoyant or vital as they used
TO BE-, they are SIN wonderfully suggestive in
ing from her friends Nine. Modjeska'ss acting
is gently touching and PATHETIC, while free from
Nobody who sees Mime. ModjesfS to-day and
| pnnfraa ate hor With ANNA ~ thA -n,na
who play the same kind Of parts par ean fafi to be
impressed by the naturalness and simplicity Of
She is a reaist in the best sense of the word.
sc Al a whole the h present g;s p%ssrf tSa,,sn ,so Of
ire distinctly incapable members in the cast. the
gr0duSti3n Is not vsry r bad: To give Mary
travelling company: Joseph Haworth is the
most competent of Mime. Modjeska's ASSOC
S SlSie Vivid end The hS n intsrmi MGlcra"e are R intolersablS
long. Even after the second act. In which
Nine. Modteska does not appear, patience 10
exhausted before the curtain rises OH Fotherin.
IN the English version, might be made shorter
To drag 1t out further by unnecessary de-
lays Is one way of settling the fate OF Mime.
Modjeska's engagement here, where audiences
some Of the Individual elements may be.
New York never saw q better stage snow
storm than that which represents the cold and
cruel world outside the farmhouse in Way
Down East" 1t Is conspicuous in the second
act. but the purpose there Is not serious. and It
provides amusement only. Sleighing parties
Jingle in the vicinity, and occasionally appear.
Even then IL Is q snowstorm to DO proud Of. 1t
falls In q steady pour that puts to shame the
old-style Intermittent puffs from corners of
the stage and flurries from the flies. The third
act, however. brings out tho snowstorm at its
best. Through o window It can be seen driv-
ing steadily by. Apparently tho snow is car
ried by q fierce wind. and is dashed along with
unremitting fury. How many electric fans It
takes to accomplish that effect may not be
known to anybody except the manager. but it
Is certain that the result 10 worth all the trou-
The weather in Way Down East" has set a
ured by. The storm has its share in making the
final scene q Mrs; ParkeE's play interesting:
II hha sh e =fs1%b eas fS sftsr fS% eiRRs sesease a. 81 s = msa
who deceived her into q mock marriage. She 10
q ,, servant nj r whom s1n,a the family am! .h has grown row, to I'D:
dressed than anybody else in the play. The rus
part, with naturalness and force. A village
gossip tells the girls history to the narrow
grown to love her. The man who has deserted
her spends so much Of his time in the house that
picked ont that neighbOrhood TO settle in. To
the, question. BY the way. she can make only a
around the supper table. Fortunately nothing 10
the house, though tho kettle on the stove con:
tributes III cloud OF steam N for realism: Just
food the head Of the house returns. He has
been investigating. not enough to find out all
to make him drive her from the house. Tho
storm takes on such fury that it would be no
surprise to see the poor creature lifted up and
cape, which Is smarter than ANYTHING the rich
soubrette possesses. and slips out into the snow.
q condition no more serious than that which is
diaEnosed on the hospital blotters as suffering
a play to make fun of. and its snowstorm is
great.
LIany readers write asking THE SUN to de-
nounce the sidewalk traffic in theatre tickets.
THE SUN has done so many times. The peddling
of tickets at the doors of the theatres is always
a nuisance. usually a fraud, and has been abol-
ished by most of our managers.
At the vaudeville matinee for the Actors
Fund an animated song sheet, in the manner
of Dockstader. will have the heads of we'll
known performers for it's human notes.
Somebody asks The Sun Were you not
mistaken in mentioning Grace Thorne Coulter
as the daughter Of the junior instead of tho
senior Charles r. Thornei" Why. no. Sho is
n daughter Of the late Charles II. Thorne, Jr.
Her mother was the daughter of n well-known
Boston detective officer named Calder, and the
younger Thorne married her away back in the
early sixties or later fifties. while he was doing
utility business at tho Boston Museum. After.
ward he went to California and did not return
to Boston for some years. When he was q
leading man this story ID told: Calder. who was
something OF a wag. went into the apothecary
store OF Orlando Tompkins. then one of tho
lessees of the Boston Theatre, and said: II I'M
dcrstand Charley Thorne is coming back to
Boston, Yes" was tho reply of Tompkins.
sr,p,.,- hanlr - at,nnar n4t L. H. a. gy