The times., 1898-04-12
NationaI-'fThe Princess and the Bat
teFny.V

Art the princess, was the attraction
which drew from their secluded haunts
the numerous butterflies of fashion TO the
light and pleasing surroundings of the
New National Theater last evening. The
expiration of the Lenten vows gave So
ciety its much desired opportunity to
again indulge its taste for the Temporal
rily forbidden fruit, and right hungrily
did it seize upon the dainty morsel. In
point of audience the presentation was
one of the most notable Of the season:
from a literary and popular standpoint its
success was conjecturaL yet histrionic-
ally and artistically an undoubted tri-
umph.
THE Princess and the Butterfly is by
that recognized master of English dra-
matics, Arthur W. Pinero, who has given
us some of the best as well as several of
the worst plays of the age. The present
piece possesses some merits those of nov
city and uncOnventionality being especial
ly commendable. But it is "talky," the
lines are long. there is little action pos
sible many unnecessary incidents are in
troduced for no apparent purpose and
some of the situations are strained and
unnatural. Possibly realizing these de-
merits, the piece has been staged in a
most sumptuous manner; the scenery is
elaborate and truly artistic; the company
could not be surpassed in excellence.
First and foremost of the cast is Mary
Mannering, as natural and dainty as ever
before investing with excellence q role
so conventional that naught save her
very personality makes it accepted. Some
of her scenes approach the magnificent
notably that with Mr.. Hacltett in the
fourth act. And Mr.. Hackett appears
in a novel role. donning for the time the
hoary locks of a man forty-tive, yet
continuing as personally attractive as
before. Miss Opp, whose appearance has
so eagerly been expected, proves woman
of extraordinary height and personality.
AS the princess she is required to do
some superb work. and without great
care the role would become as despica-
BILE as ii is difficult. Yet she avoids the
common pitfalls and wins a personal sue
cess in a role irks0me and pedantic.
In tho first act, especially, Miss Opp is
required to talk for half an hour about
her birthday occurring on the following
day, the lines being as devoid of action
as an egg is of hair. Later, she is given
some notable work to do and does it
well. The several small scenes with Mr..
Charles Courtleigh who. by the way, de-
serves credit unequaled only by that of
those previously mentioned. are powerful
in the extreme. Mr.. Courtleigh is eX-
tremely good. so good in fact that one
can only realize his merits when he care
fully considers the irksome nature of the
requirements Certainly he share we'll
won honors with those usually considered
his superiors. Felix Morris does an ec-
centric comedy bit as artistically as
possible. Mrs. Thomas Whiffen and
Mr., Charles Walcot make pretty pair
of lovers. and Grant Stewart and
John Findley win new applause from old
friends The balance of the support is
such as only the Lyceum Theater Com
pany can present, the best of people in
even the smallest of parts.
In summing up, THE Princess and the
Butterfly" is very pedantic play acted