The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-07
NEW THEATRICAL FICTION.
WILLT<k GILLETTE AVID 4. CONAS
DOYLE's "SHERLOCK HOLMES"

A Drama Derived by the Playwright from
the NoysIist's Stories OF Crime and de-
tection-"Round New York In Eighty
Minutes" avery sportive Extravaganza.
The centre OF the stage at the Gnrrick
Theatre was taken last night nv Sherlock
Holmes. One reason why he will probably hold
that place long while 10 that tho readers OF 4.
Conan Doyls's stories will wish to see
the nctionally famous detective impcr-
,onatod, and another 10 that. having
seen him, they will go away to talk
personally about the representation. Tho first
audience know well enough how William Oil
l,t'e would make the man cool and
ealm In manner. an inperturbable smoker
and an unexcitably fearless hero Mr..
gillette II not variable actor. but his work as
apaywriGht was not 90 certain. There was
some doubt whether he. or any one else. could
derive q good drama from Mr.. Doylo's
material. In point Of fact he did not.
for only the principal character and the
outline OF the plot wore the creation
n, the novelist Quite half OF the matter was
original with the actor. His important addi-
ton was such an affair OF the heart as he could
not md In any Of the Doyle tales. The one
from which he drew principally was that of
Inc, Faulkner. who got into serious
trouble through tho innocent POSSESSION
Of raper. and pictures discriminating royal
proNlsste A married pair Of black mailers. tho
Ldrabees. imprisoned the girl and tried to get
the proofs from her. Holmes goes to
her aid. and Dr. Moriaritv, shrewd
,coundral. joins the other side. The
fight OF wits between these two men
was narrated BY Mr. Doyle. There was
no sentiment 10 II other than hatred. Mr..
Gil!.tte turned Holmes and Alice into lovers
A.I, 40 tptN
an essential slement OF the play. so
that the singular hero. instead OF being
Killed OF finally. as was done by his author.
kept hi. life AMI gained q wife through the
good grace Of his adaptor.
This was the most outright imaginable o,
detective melodramas. 1t will delight the
Bovery, but not this season. because IL will
endure In Broadway rersIstently. This
prediction Is based on the behavior
Of last nights audience. The play made
Just the same kind Of success that
had been won by the printed stories. The
people uero at hrst inclined TO reject the piece
as something yellow In stage fiction. They re-
sisted the Ingenious fascination OF II. But
they became .ngrosssd In spite OF themselves.
The tricks aud devices OF excit ement in
this Gillette. Doyle collaboration may
be paipable. but they serve their purpose. In
stance. Mr.. Gillette has dramatiEed his insvi-
table ssGar. H,lms, has by this time beaten
Noriari'v in all their brany encount-
sp. and tho bhfIled scoundrel means
10 kill the victor. He decoys him
into house where concealed nssassirs await
him. Alice goes there to warn him. and 80 her
lie Is 10 peril. too. The detective smashes a
lamp and the room Is dark. but the lighted
segM remains between his lips. Follow
the segar." cries one Of the men. The
smoker goes to window. lays the
regar down. and steals without II 70 the door.
30 the fooled rascals svoop down AZ tho wrong
place, while their prisoner escapes with his
sweetheart at the right one. The play Is full
sna s6@s q them T ar. r.
make ! rapid sqScesslos ami steady crescsndo
ssainst the ,ascination Of q, Is,.e,vo iat SS
symrathy with the matter. REALISM ruled the
RstthtS n name by ha.harn1 f!orenSe as the g!r
FsS Ss1 r.. h.aoi S M
others in the nrst-rate and thoroughly drilled
eompany: There were some new points in the
10 disclose and enclose the scene ~
changes from utter darkness. to light
only the two lorers " We're IL sight n Sll n.
lllumlnhtlCn was slowly smut OF. the hsk FhAft
Of light falling on their faces close together.
1t was bit OF pictorial art for a climax.
Adashing and spontaneous performance 10
almost as necessary to sucoc ssful buris.1ue as
good material to work with. Round New
York In Eighty Minutes" which was produced
at Roster 4 Bial's last night. had both the good
foundation and a spirited reprsssr tation.
Edward Fales Coward and James T. Waldron
had supplied the book. and william A. Brady
much OF the go" The vsrses were by J.
Chssyer Goodwin. and tho music by I'd
ward T. Rice and John J. Braham. with
some extra numbers selected. There
was no attempt at story. Tho mat
ter consisted OF a series OF local scenes
and trayestiss on plays. with good special
ties In between. The burlesque started in
front OF Proctor's. when the merry. merry
chorus"wers seen enjoying a champagne frolic.
As the plot thickenei an autom obils arrived
with more OF the merry. merry" who straight
way Join cd In the reverles. For the benefit of
those who require art and a pu rpose In their en-
ertainnsnt 1t may be said that. by roundabout
search. such a thing could be found in Round
New York in Eighty Minutes" We will sup
pose that In spasm Of high purpose Mr..
Brady decided to teach theatregoers
~ Illustrating for them how different people |
make merry. He shows US Tendorloin
crowd. Thompson street cake walk. a Jewish
dance on the East Side to the music OF hand
organ. French bal! and the Coney Island
push at prize aght What I'm education
Tor tho gilded youth But the new burlesque's
strong point is frivolous amusement. Two
short travesties Children OF the Get Dough"
6y Richard earle. and SHARP Becky" by Clay
d Greene. are funnily clever bits.
A ilst ~ the scenes In this pieos reads like a |
gaidebook 10 New York: Exterior and interior !
oi proctors, Herald Square. Madison Square |
TTnh the Dewey Arch, Thorn psop street. the |
Last Side, Madison Square Garden and |
,0nsy Island. The .cakewalk was done by |
lrrtoes. except a few leaders. who were
o.hcEsned comedians. The excellent man |
merarlcs, reflects credit on Mr.. Brndy's ability |
as q stage director. This French ball wis |
tesniendent with electrical effects and !
oTlIIiant. II not artistic costumes MANY !
OF me dresses Ia this scene were new and their |
rearers young, but some OF tho apparel and |
the women look ed as II they had been In Rics's |
employ since the DAYS OF "Evangslins"
Eta Butler carried or the honors as well az
any individual could In SO large u show She |
RYave an ,sNcellsnt Imitation OF Minnie
hahdern Flake and soms othsrs that |
TTefgTe good od. Ore 9! her songs was. What
sang so we'll, but had to give I'M Mas Kutler