New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-06
ENGLISH DRAMA.


-SHAKESPEARIAN DIVERSIONS
r. IN THE PROVINCES.
London January %
.Ip,,us Cesar" at Her Majesty's Theatre may
4. ,reyerently described as Mr.. Alma Tadema
,snorama 1t Is a series of impressive and
,.autiful pictures OF ancient Rome, with con-
,,,ratcrrs and mob in classic costumes. from the
q, rkinc tunic of cobbler and mechanic to the
,..ricjan toea OF the conscript father. The FIRST
Some reveals the Forum of Julius Caesar. the
Temples Of Jupiter Capitolium and Venus Nene-
49,, and the architectural glores of the Yes
,.ssn Rock. framed by massive archway'
ysy, cor,s a vision OF Brutus's garden, with
r,rble surfaces and leafy retirement. followed
Nv elimpses OF the stately atrum of Caesar
,,rse and Of a Roman street with shOpkeepers
stalls Aanked by Ionic pilasters and shut In
-. . snlenSid archway The first act closes
with series Of pictorial tableaus in the SEN
ate House. where Cesar Is murdered the
Nrum. with the temples of Saturn and con-
ccrdia and palaces Of state. is a glorious back
around for the oratory Of the second act ana
the picturesque mob which is sW aged by II. the
third act disclOses a tent scene for the wrangle
ard reconciliation Of Brutus and Cassius and
the visitation Of the ghost. and the curtain falls
4. last upon the rocky dehles overlooking
Ihilppi with their mimic warfare. The hnal
scenes are conventional. but the first TWO acts
ere arfistcallv as we'll as splendidiy staged.
Mr. Alma Tad.ma has designed costumes ana
srn.r,is-i the work Of the scene painters. and
has produced series Of brilliant tableaus
IN staee-setting Mr. Beerbohm Tree has sur
re.sea the famous production Of Julius CAESAR
IN the seventies in New-YOrk, complete ana
splendid as it was. As a spectacle it is more mar
rcnious in color the contrasts Of Roman
ctstum. arr NOR, artistic and the action Of the
mob IS more dramatic The smallest details
have been considered with painstaking care as
when the naidenS startle Cesar in his TIL
UT phal progress by striwirg crimson roses from
which ne shriaks as an augury Of blood Some
Of the theatrical expedients are almost too OAR
irg. such as ha<appearance of Calpurnia as
silent mourncr when Cesar lies dead IN Inc
Senate House. or. the introduction Of Antony's
mistress. who helps him in Influencing the
crowd When the stage mechanism Is so ao-
mirable it is supernu6us to single out a few
minor flaws. As a stage picture OF classic arcm-
lecture and Costuming. the Forum. with It's
stately columns. ornate facades ard glittermg
statuary and with the mob surgng around the
ros,rum has not been eXceled in any recent
Slakespearian revival
In producing Julius Cesar" sumptuously as
picture play Mr. Tree has exposed himself to
the obvious criticism Of undertaking its dramatic
value and Of obscuring series OF subtle ana
poetic character studies. In regrouping the
scenes 50 as To concentrate attention upon the
oratory IN the Forum over Csesars body.
ard Antony's sucress in reversing the judgment
Of the ceprcious but reasoning mob. he has con-
,riyei To- dscredit the play as dramatic Work
nHarkahle for the clearness of its denotement
Of contrasting character and for compleXity of
olive and action. When everything mas been
done 10 increase the Importance Of Antony as
the commanding character. ne is not the hero
q the drama nor is anybody else. AS a play
without a central figure and without adequate
parts for actresses Julius Caesar is exhibited
On the stage of Her Majesty's Theatre as a
dIsma Of declam alton and panorama. and not
Is a play which can be acted with ordinary
aagecraf, one critic suggests that the death
scenes o. Cassus and Brutus should follow
e.csely the funeral grafton over Cesar. with
'ab.eau Of The conquering army. aud another
Asserts that the judgment OF the greatest Eng
Eh actors and stage managers IN heslectihS
the play has De n indicated. since 1t IS only III
70 be read in the library as poetic epItome
Of Plutarch or 10 be acclaimed by ambitious
Shoolboys / find il impossible either to accept
these strict lres upon the play or TO reconcile
ryself TO the panoramic method. brilliant as 1t
b In execution and artistic in design and color.
ibis is because | have distinct recollection
Of Julius Cesar in Booths Theatre as drama
Of character and tragic dignity and not as
Spectacular picture play.
In that memorable revival OF plav which
bad aIMaAs boon a faXnrlie one with L,dMin