New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-12
LONDON DRAMA.
a DUTCH HAVEN OF RESI- iN
TGME-MR. CHARLES HAWTkhf'
LITTLE JOKE.
LITTLE JOKE.
London. November /.

and nm I" e defeats
anchor for "A brief interval in quiet ha'eh'
where one may forget that terrible battle Is
coin., ON for race supremacy in South Africa
and for the maintenance Of mighty Empire
The Haymarket Theatre is a harbor Of refuge
where a Dutch romance of singular refinement
and tenderness beguiles attention from the
awful tragedy of war enacted on the borders OF
Natal 1t is Dumas's La Tulipe Noire," drama
tized by Mr. sydney Grundy with simplicity and
dcxtcrity and provided with lovely scenic set
ting rich in local color. 1t is a slender theme
that is drawn out into five acts but II Is a
wholesome story Of rare delicacy, and it is fuil
OF fascination and charm. 1t is a play illumined
with bright and whimsical humor. and the text
is crisp. luminous and unaffected There is
melodrama that is neither grotesque nor the
atrical; there arc love scenes which are tender
and true and the characters are as vivid ana
distinct the faces in Dutch genre picture
There is not more restful place in all LONDON
during wartime, when British and Beers are
butchcrng one another in South Africa, than
the Haymarket with its Dutch prison romance
OF the eccentric tulip grower and the jailers
daughter.
1t ID; not easy to believe that this adaptation
OF the romance of the elder Dumas comes from
the same hand which has supplied Mrs. Lang
try with The Degenerates," a nosome and
cynically bad play. that is having a great run
in London Tlat is an unwhoesome play which
satrizes the hypocrisy of fashionable life
sneers at virtue as another expression for in
experience and convnces blast theatregoers
and thoughtless pleasure seekers that whatever
is is wrong The Black Tulip is sweet and
delicate romance Of an older and better world
written in a spirit Of optimism and faith in the
generous impulses of human nature. and en-
acted wIth sincerity and subtle charm If Mr.
Grundy has enabled Mrs. Langtry To amuse
fashionable audiences by proving how hollow
and false Vanity Fair can be. he has also armed
Miss Winifred Emery with resources for charm
ing thcatregoers with the naIvet6 and innocence
OF a simple minded Dutch maid, who believes
that love is stronger than prison bars or treach-
wiles. a passion for flowers. and that
II makes the merry world go round"
A NOVEL WELL DRAMATIZED
He has also shown in this later work how a
novel can be dramatzed without annoying or
worrying either those who have read it or those
who have never heard of the romance. The
Black Tulip tells its own story with clearness
and precision. and the characters reveal them
selves with vivid realism.
Miss Emerys Rosa is indeed the most charm
Babbic in The Little Minister she was pict
uresque in her masquerade of rags and the
embodiment OF mischievous coquetry; but she
neglected a fine opportunity for variety of style
failed to make the rompng gypsy foil for the
high born lady and played too close to the
verge Of burlesque In The Manpuvres of
Jane" she over the edge into burlesque. but
this was not perhaps her fault. since the play
was a failure as a comedy and was saved for
a good run only by frankly farcical treatment
all along the line. Her Rosa is a true figure of
romance, gueless and innocent in coquetry,
radiant in beauty and grace. unfailing in devo-
ton to her whimsical lover, tender and sweet
in her compassion for the prisoner. and de-
murely triumphant in the happy ending, which
has been foreseen from the beginning as the
reward for virtue and loyalty. Most becoming
10 her are the seventeenth century Dutch cos
tunes Of soft woollen fabrics in pale gray and
bright blue, with collars bordered with lace, and
close fitting caps gttering with metallic lustre;
and ner wedding gown is quaint and beautiful
Not only these simple but picturesque gowns
worn with facile grace, but there is a frank
mischief loving Dutch maiden within them with |
an artistic strain in the blood bright talent !
for finding pleasure in little things and the !
charm Of artcss naTvete. so realistic was the !
impersonation that | found it hard to believe |
that l not again in Amsterdam at Queen |
Wilhemnas coronation fttes. watching the |
contented. happy Dutch maidens who were |
singing and romping in the streets and as in |
nocent Alice in Wonderland Miss Emery's |
performance in this part is a fine Illustration |
OF what the theatrical managers mean when
they say that charm is more important than !
power IN determining an actresses success.
TULIP PLANTERS INTRIGUES