Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-08
A GOOD PLAY,
"The Countess Valeska" With Julia Mar
lowe, Proves An Accordingly interest
ing Entertainment

1t was with somewhat of doubtful an
ticipation that the intelligent playgoer
glanced over his Worcester Theatre pro-
gram, Monday evening. "The Countess
VaIeska' sounded like one Of those tire
some Russian or Polish pieces which are
so unattactive; the playful bore long
list of Napoleonic marshals, mamelukes,
old guards and National Legions, and
if anybody has been thoroughly satiated
with the Little Corporal, It is the pres
ent generation; and to crown all the
drama had met with but an Indifferent
reception from New York audiences and
critics.
But "Valeska" is a play. 1t would be
worth seeing even without the win
someness and dainty witchery of Julia
Marlowe, her becoming empire gowns
and the scene of the old castle hall, with
its ancient staircases and furniture and
battered suits of armor. 1t IS built on
one of the strongest plots ever evolved
by "a dramatist, it's interest is concen-
trated, and at the end of every act
comes the eager question, the infallible
test of good play, What is going to
happen neXt%'
The opening of the piece did not prom
Use well. 1t started heavily and cum
brously enough, in an atmosphere of
battle. murder and sudden death, and
with affairs in a chaotic state generally.
There are armed men hurrying about
in all sorts of resplendent but unfamil-
lar uniforms, and for some time one
wonders what it is all about. Towards
the close the mists clear enough to eX-
plain that it is just before the battle Of
Friedlands. The Countess Valeska has
sheltered in her castle her lover, a
Prussian fugitive. French officers
bring word that Napoleon is to lodge in
the castle the night before the battle.
Valeska, to save her lover, DISCUSSES him
as her steward and plans his escape,
but he has sworn to assassinate Ma
poleon while he lies at rest and there
fore foils all her schemes. Napoleon en-
ters, but his back, as he goes to his
quarters, is all the spectators see Of
him during the entire play. This ends
the first act. and begins the action of
the drama. The Marquis Won Sturwell
Napoleon'S aid, suspects the false stew
ard, and finally unmasks him but the
Prussian is saved from instant arrest
by the presence of mind of the countess
only to be denounced by her later, when
she learns the true purpose of his per-
sistent remaining in danger, despite all
her endeavors. The battle begins The
marquis brings to the disguised stew
l.
Valeska's agency, is led into a duel with
him instead. Won SturweH is wounded
in the arm, the Prussian ESCAPES
through the window, and amidst the
distant roar of battle, Valeska raises her
eyes in prayer for the safety of the man
she loves.
This is the piece for which Miss Mar
lowe has temporarily forsaken her
Shaksperian heroines Although the
Loo CT pf oh ~, ie.
chiefly upon the star, j. NJ ColviIe as
Achim, the Prussian lover, and Alfred
Kendrick as the marquis 1t is pitv
that the countess could not have fallen
| in love with the latter, who appeared
like brainy, straightforward soldier
and a genuinely good fellow. while the
Prussian Achim had little but his bra
very TO recommend him. Mr. Covile
played the part, however, as sympa-
thetically as the author would let him
and Mr.. Hendricks marquis deserved
the honor it received of Joint curtain
calls with the other two.
Miss Marlowe made charming Va
leska. as was to be expected. The few
scenes where great dramatic force was
demanded, found her fully equal to tba
emergency, and the audience paid her
the unusual compliment of waiting ia
! give her double recall after the fnaI
curtain. 1t does not seem good bust
ness management to give WORCESTER bnt
one night when the city is full of ber
enthusiastic admirers. and keen Mice
Marlowe three weeks in New yol.1r
Whsre the critics Were either carpingei1,
unjust or grudgingly commendatnrw
and the audiences consisted mostly 4f
ushers and musicians Give us Ionoe,.
visits hereafter, Miss Marlowe. but come
a ~ hosallhu, or viola or Juliet rather