The times., 1898-12-06
AT THE TKEATERS.
NationnI-"Mn g,ln."

The audiences which attend classic or
standard performances are not generally
large. and so when it is considered that
two farces and as many variety shows are
affording competition this week, the house
which gathered last night at the National
to greet Madame Modjeska was perhaps
as satisfactory as could have been expect
ed. Those present were more than gen.
erous in their appreciation-so anxious to
applaud the Polish actress and her com
pany that they became enthusiastic on the
slightest pretext, or often without any
pretext whatever This was not the fault
of the star who shortly furnished plenty
of reason for their hand-clapping, but Of
the assembly, which was not willing TO
wait until she did.
The play was Suderman's 'Magda. and
those who had heard of it before for
tunately permitted themselves to hope for
little from the vehicle. OF the order OF
Die Neue Seit'' and other recent sue
cesses-with the dignity and massiveness
of a Shakespearean ragedy-combininS
the Verbosty of Pinero comedy with the
stupendousness of Sardou effort. II pos
sesses none of that force which made the
first notable of the interest and beauty oil
the second, nor of the wit and clevernesS
of the third and fourth. Magda' has
never been anything more than stupid,
ponderous. talky German lecture, with
nothing in creation to commend IL ana
much to place it past the plane of condem-
nation, Its plot might have been told in
three minutes-the story of wayward
girl who is turned out of her father
house. takes to the stage, is ruined and
deserted finally comes back triumphant.
meets the scoundrel who betrayed her and
is commanded to marry him by her irri-
tated parent-but is strung through
three hours desolate waste of words ana
words and words. People sit down and
talk to each other until one Is completely
wearied, and, after all, nothing Is said
or done. There Is no romance to lend in
terest to the tale and no strength to make
1t watchable. The whole piece is merely
an incomprehensible, inconsistent stupen-
dous treatise on character.
There is one thing of which to be thank
| full in the drama-it affords Madame Mod
| ieska some chance To- show her remarka-
BILE genius. But then probably Madame
| Modjeska could display this talent In
| reading the Constitution OF the United
States. Her Interpretation OF Magda :
| varying moods and OF the phases between
them Is truly masterful. and her concep-
ton as true and strong as may be. Where
there are forceful scenes-as in the play S
! last act-she rises To them with an al
| most indiscernible graduation sort OF
dramatic crescendo-that calls forth the
! most intense response of the senses with
out proving at variance with the sense
No better Magda could be imagined
So great is Madame Modjeska that she
| dares to carry an able supporting com
pany-one which does not pay too close
| a regard to details in its ensemble work
but which is individually good Mrs
Hannah L. Sargent contributes remark
able bit of comedy in the role of Fran
cisca: Anna i. Proctor makes Il digniiiet
and discretionate Mrs. Schubert ant
Grace Fisher is simple but often force
full Marie. John A. Lane is not cautious
but is nevertheless powerful and natura
Major Schubert. and Charles d. Herman
an able legitimate actor, makes an eX
cellent rector Lester Lonergan Is but
fair Councillor. and George Spencer poo
Max. Anna Daly's impersonation of tn
maid ranks above either. Wadsworth Har
ris and Frank Flemming do small role
we'll Mary Stuart tonight and at til
Saturday matinee.