The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-02-04
in THE PLAY HOUSES.
Julia MarloWe.

1.-THE Countess Valeska," in which
Julia Marlowe is this season demonstrate
ing that she has claims to considera-
tion when emotional artists are spoken
of, was presented at the Lyceum last
night before an audience that was
large, decidedly representative and as
decidedly pleased with the admirable
performance given by Miss Marlowe
and the capable artists she has in her
supporting company.
When Miss Marlowe was last seen
in Scranton, nearly decade ago, she
was on the threshold of the career that
has since brought her so much praise
and fame. The play was THE Twelfth
Night" and some of the veteran the
atre-g -goers who saw her last night un-
consciously contraSted her with the
Julia Marlowe of nine years ago, who
was so resolutely trying to win for
herself a place among the foremost
exponents of the classic drama.
Miss Marlowe exhausted Shakespeare
and turned to other fields, and last
night she returned to Scranton in
blood-stirring Polish drama in which
her emotions are constantly at concert
pitch; where the clash of sabres, the
crack of musketry and the boom of
cannon is the only soothing music she
hears.
The play is in four acts and from the
German of Rudolph Strait. The scene
is laid during Napoleon's campaign Of
1907, when he posed as the protector Of
Poland. The action takes place in the
castle of the Countess Valeska, and on
the eve of the Battle of Friendland.
The countess is in love with an officer
who is known as the Tall Prussian."
Their love affair has been broken off,
however, and she is endeavoring to de-
lude herself that she no longer regards
him as her lover. An engagement be-
tween soldiers, which she witnesses
from her window, and in which her
lover has his horse shot from under
him, causes her to disregard the die
tates of her patriotism and she helps
him to escape, and conceals him in her
castle in the disguise of her overseer
Incidentally she tells the Tall Prus-
sian" that she no longer loves him, but
when he threatens to give himself up
to the enemy, she confesses that her
love Is stronger than ever.
Napoleon. meanwhile, has taken up
his headquarters for the first night at
the castle The father of the young
Prussian has gained access to the castle
disguised as a shepherd, and is impli-
Gated in a plot to murder the emperor,
into which the young man is drawn by
a parental appeal to his patriotism.
The attempted assassination is frus-
trated, and the countess, in a struggle
between her love of country and her
love for the Prussian officer, is forced
to disclose his identity. He is subse-
uuently ourt-martialled through in
formation furnished by a French Off
Ger. also in love with the countess, and
is sentenced to be shot This tragic
end, however, is averted through the
efforts of the countess.
Miss Marlowe proved her right TO
rank among Americas foremost ac-
tresses by the magnificent work she
did last evening. The play is in parts
extremely theatrical and only the SUI
perb work of Miss Marlowe saved some
of the scenes. In the hands OF lesser
artist they would have been cheap and
meretricious. With a deftness Of touch
that was truly artistic she depicted the
conflicting emotions that swayed the
sorely tried Countess Valeska.
John Blair who a year ago made
such favorable impression here in
"What Dreams May Come" was one Of
the leading members of the supporting
company He enacted the role of an
aide de-camp TO Napoleon in an eN-
plosiYe sort of way which indicates
evidently impressed with the notion
he is falling into had habits likely to
impare a very promising career. His