New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-08
THE DRAMA.
CLOSE OF THE LYcEUM SEASON.

that stage TO Mr. J. X Hackctt and his professional
associates who will come forth Monday. pre-
sentlng Rupert Of Hentzau." The Lyceum inc
atre since Mr. Daniel Frohman assumed the man
agement Of It, in May. 1885. has steadily advanced
in the public esteem. and 1t Is now one Of the most
popular theatres I'm the city second on.y TO Day
Theatre the considera ton OF the better class Of
paygong people A review OF the first eleven years
of its history was published In The Tribune OF NO
vcmber l5 1896. The most notable plays presented
at the Lyceum pribr 20 that date were Sweet Law
ender" THE Charity Ball." The Tdler," Nerves.
THE Dancing Girl" Lady Bountiful." Squire
Kate" Tine Amazons." and THE Prisoner OF
Zenda" Many other plays were produced and Mr..
Daniel Frohman. who. In taking the Lyceum, had
assumed the burden OF certain Sunday-schoo ira
dItons gradually emancipated the house from
"goodyism" and made It home for comedy and
romantic drama. Within the last three years Mr..
Daniel Frohman's policy OF management II not in
variably scrupulous 10 the consideration OF In
tellectual responsibility. has shown an uncommonly
keen perception OF the caprices OF public taste
together with shrewdness and energy In dealing
with them; and this visilant manager has been
continuously fortunate In his choice OF actors.
The Lyceum season OF 1861 opened on
December l. 1896. with Mr.. Henry V. Esmonds
comedy Of THE Courtship Of Leonie." The stock
company comprised Mary Msnnerng. Elizabeth
Tyree. Katherine Florence. Marie shotwelI. Grace
Root, Sophie Hoffman. Mrs. Walcot. Mrs. Whinen
james r. racket, Edward j. Morgan. FRANK u
Mills. Joseph Wheeock. ir Ernest Hastings
Charles Walcot and Felix Morris. Mary Manner
ings first appearance In America was made on
December J. 1896. and that actress speedily gained
the public favor. on December IL. Mr.. Esmond's
play succeeded by Mr.. Grundys comedy Of
THE Late Mr.. Costello" and Miss Manner!ng.
tho fascinating wldow.-"Sadie. In her warpaInt."-
made brilliant hit. giving a performance that Is
still remembered with pleasure. and one that she
exCollpd A
The Wife Of Wioughby." by Theodore r. Sayre.
was acted on the same night on January Is. 1897.
play called The First Gentleman OF Europe"
was presenteu,-a pretentious but frivolous and
paltry composition, by Mrs. Frances Hodgson Bur-
nett and George Fleming This piece had a run
OF six weeks, and II was succeeded on March g. by
Louis N. Parker's interesting drama OF The May
flower" The First Gentleman OF Europe" was
revived on April 3, for week and on April 10
the season was closed Miss Annie Russell APP
peared at the Lyceum Theatre April 10. pre-
senting a good farce by Madeleine Lucette Ryley.
called The Mysterious Mr.. Bugle." and that play
was acted for several weeks. On September 8.
1897. f. II. Southern presented Change Alley" by
Louis n. Parker and Murray Carson. That pro-
duction was exceptionally sumptuous in scenes and
dresses, and the play had a career OF five weeks.
Mr. Sothern then revived. October II. the COM
edy Of THE Lady OF Lyons" and acted Claude
Melnotte Virginia Harmed (Mrs Sothern). pre-
brought forward October 25 and it ran TIL No
vember 20. when Mr.. Sothern's engagement was
ended.
The season of 7-9S began November 90 1897.
with Mr.. Pinero's comedy OF The Princess and The
Butterfly" which had OF nine weeks. Miss
Julia opp was member OF the company during
that season. This young lady. an American by birth
had acted in London. and she was heralded here
with the usual windy nonsense. but she made only
a faint impression, and presently she returned 10
England On January a. 1885, Mr.. Daniel Froh
man produced the tainted and trivial play OF The
Tree OF knowledge" by Mr.. r. c. Carton, and this
piece kept the stage until April 9, when the season
closed. A short play called Adelaide" relative TO
an episode in the life of Beethoven, was acted on
March :, with David Bispham. Julia OPP Mrs
Walcot. and Mrs Whiffen in its several characters
A company headed by Herbert Kelley. Effie Shan
non and Mr. and Mrs. lie AIoyne appeared at the
Lyceum April II. presenting drama called
THE Moth and the Flame" by Mr.. w. c. Fitch
chiefly derived from Maurice Donnays French)
comedy entitled La Doloureuse.' In juno the
theatre was closed. but September /. 1895. Mr..
Sothern and his company came there with An
thony Hopes drama, The Adventure OF Lady Cr-
sula." futile and transient piece called "A Colo
NAL Girl" by Abby s. Richardson and Grace l..
Furniss was brought forward on October 81. and
had few representations.
The season Of 1s9s-'ss began November q. 1898.
and Mr.. Daniel Frohman then produced one OF the
best plays with which he has favored this public
Mr. Plneros capital satire called 'Trelawny OF
the Wells" It was acted 131 times, and it was
received with every mark OF critical and popular
favor. piece called Americans at Home" by
Mrs Richardson and Miss Furniss. produced on
March e. 1899 had seventeen performances giving
place on March 29. TO Mr.. Jerome's comedy Of
John Ingerfeld" with which the season ends.
The Lyceum dramatic company has not undergone
many important changes within three years. A few
players have gone and few have come. but Miss
Mannoring and Mr.. Morgan and Mr.. and Mrs.
lvslcot remain its conspicuous features. Mr..
Courtleigh Mr.. Mills. Miss Hilda Spong. Mr.. But
Ter Mr. Bonface, and others have given efficient
performances and maintained themselves in popu-
larity.
Tho record Of the Lyceum Theatre. II will be
seen is one of intelligent industry and variety and
Mr. Daniel Frohman. in closing his thirteenth sea-
son at the Lyceum Theatre. can look back upon
career that has been guided with considerable
worldly wisdom and rewarded with considerable
measure Of artistic well as worldly success. He
does not. indeed appear to have Learned that there
are no reasons whether Of the boxofice or OF any
thing else which, under any circumstances can
ever Justify the production OF an unc,ean play. A
man at the head of a theatre Is under Just great
an obligation to absolute righteousness as man
az the head of a church, and the theatre Will never
be what It ought to be until this truth becomes
practical law In the conduct OF the stage. Many
things however. have been learned by Mr. Daniel
and from being unacquanted with the
stage and inexperienced In dealing with plays and
actors, he has come to possess thoughtful APP
probation OF the influence of the theatre society
sense OF dramatic quality and value In plays. and
a quick dscernment 10 the capabilities OF ACTORS
and as to the development and use OF their powers.
His future In theatrical management will be OBJ
served with interest. The stage In this country Is
not tamely be delivered into the hands OF sordid
and mercenary traders. Oriental spectators in
sensuality unprncipled panderers to all that is
an and low fl, a deprsved and bestal multitude.
The strong forces OF evil have gone very far. but
here are distinct signs OF an impending revolt
against them, in which they will he overthrow and
dispersed. The successful manager will be the man
who stands for virtue. intelligence refinement,
taste and beauty. W. W.
4 PEpQRT AROET TILE RROA DNAI