The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-12-17
KENYON VESTS
NEW YORK LETTER
A Breezy Review of
Gotham Happenings.

"a NE gets almost bewildered with the
4 richness and number OF the at
| fractions in the theaters Just now,
~ and g. Is difficult 20 choose one or
two plays for consideration when
there are a dozen others fully as worthy
u attention. The great event Just now Is.
d course, the temperance OF Sir Henry
irving and Miss Ellen Terry after their
.ong absence from US. on Monday even
ing. October 80. they presented Sardou's
"RobcsDicTre" FOR the first time. The two
Incompatible artists and their large COM
pauy received q royal welcome. The
Knickerbocker Theater was crowded by
sarer. enthusiastic people who came there
DOT only FOR their own pleasure and de-
lght but 10 do honor 10 these distin-
rushed visitors from England. Sir Henry
irving VIII carry away with him not only
a multitude OF American dollars. but he
viii take with him what he has possessed
ior many years-the love and the admira-
aon OF the American people. Could any OF
you see tho crowds OF men and women
hat throng the corridors OF the Knicker-
booker and extend away out into the
street, sometimes reaching from Thirty
ainth or Fortieth street 90 the box-office,
you would know that this short engage
nent will prove one OF the great financial
successes OF the season. IL is very hard
Srom tho hotels that charge - for the
best
II seems a strange coincidence that four
~ the important plays now being pro-
rented here deal with phases OF French
history. Irving's "Robespierre" and
Henry Miler's "Only Way" are con-
tcrned with the Revolution; Julia Ar
.hur's More Than Queen and Z. II.
sothcrn's Song Of the Sword with the
dime OF Napoleon. Julia Marlowe is de-
roung attenuonsto a phase Of American
aistory-mystical perhaps, but IN its gen
tral treatment true 10 life and OF absorb
ms and potent interest. Praise is due any
writer or any actor who will lend HIS in
fuence 10 a development OF a national
arama. We are FAR too subservient and
aependent-we who boast Of our inde-
pendence and freedom. Why do We wait
'or a favorable verdict from Paris or from
London before We feel like lending our
support 10 q play? Alas. we are in the
hands OF managers who have yet 20 real
Re that there are adequate and glorious
materials Tor tragedy and for comedy IN
he rich. pulsating life OF this nation. in
rs history. IN its stored past. IN the man
fold phaEes OF its present. Well for
iramatist like Clyde Fitch. who sees this
rch material waiting for HIS shaping.
holding hand. And actors like Miss Mar
owe. MI franc anu MI Goouhln ncctINc
DE thanks Of the community for making
I possible that the American dramatist's
york be recognized.
The Tyranny Of Tears.
Mr.. John Drew will probably stay az the
Empire Theater until December. Then
De stock company Will come there and
present new plays. The first one an
tounced IS My Lady's Lord" by II. V.
Csmond. This is Mr.. Drew's eighth sea-
on and IN his varied and rich experience
a. has. had no more satisfaction IN pre-
enting a play than he is having this sea-
ion In Rosemary he had moro oppor-
unity 10 show his versatility and his
,u,otional power: besides IN Rosemary
ie had the support OF Miss Maude Adams.
an artist whom Miss Irving can in no way
approach. either IN charm or IN artistic
lin.
In zone Summers Day Mr.. Drew had
more opportunity for the display OF those
aspects Of pathos in which he shows
Fuch naturalness. In "a Marriage OF
Convenience" ne showed his skill in the
presentation Of n comedy OF manners.
Ia The Liars" he had fine chances 10
show subtle changes OF mood. changes
rom nonchalant humor 10 pathos. from
genial cynicism 20 playful banter In
The Liars he had the help OF two ac-
Tesses Of much ability-Bessie Tyree and
Annie Irish. The Tyranny OF Tears"
which serves Mr.. Drew this year. is called
a comedy OF temperament. There are but
six characters concerned IN the action
hr. Parbury John Drew, Mrs. Parbury