The times., 1899-09-10

Things is study. Compulsory education"
largely catchword outside of New York
often extends beyond schoo!houses and
thirteen-ye So, the most bigoted
of church members, being in London some
three months ago, would have been forced
TO choose between the enjoyment of his
own company and incessant theatre-g going.
In the latter part of June the great city
over the pond was as dull place as one
might have found in years searching.
! The unexpected heat had taken out of town
every second person of Importance the
giving of social functions had ceased, and
| the animation of the British metropolis
was centered in two or three of the resorts
on the Thames. Directors of entertainment
enterprises however, had been allowed NJ
time for closing, and so this refuge was
left-a hope for the casual wanderer; a de-
spair TO one who, like the writer, had left
home vowing to forsake his profession at
leaSs temporarily.
Once concerned in the business of amuse-
ment-catering in England, the critic
abroad must have found much to absorb
him. The season in London-the season
just fnished-may be said to have been re-
plete with extraordinary interests. Not
only did providers prosper as rarely before,
and not only did those provided accept
pieces SO radically different from the sue
cesses of earlier days, that the most opti-
/ mistic hardly had faith in them, but other
and even more momentous conditions came
up for noting and solution. Chief among
these, perhaps, was the undeniable fact
that the artistic relations between Great
Britain and the United States were drawn
closer than at any prior period. London
fairly teemed with American magnates.
who purchased dramatic material right and
left, until the only plays left unbought
were either those without merit or those
which the stars contemplated bringing over
themselves. Hence, TO the man who makes
trade OF reviewing, the study mentioned
as having been undertaken in self-defence
gathered to itself new attraction, being
no longer without forecast of reward.
For his own edification and for that of
his followers the writer took occasion to
visit almost every place of amusement in
London while recreating on the other
side. Accordingly, he is now able TO
suggest a personally conducted trip
through his memories of the season. and
to invite those who care to accompany him
to the Lyceum Theatre where several
months were given over to Sir Henry Ir-
wings presentation of Sardou's Robes
pierre" by far the most consequential of
the works which are to be brought here
for trial This historic narrative, it will
be remembered has been the lever with
which Sir Henry has improved his fallen
fortunes, and, were actor and author not
so well known that the critical acceptation
of the efforts of both will be of paramount
weight with the scholarly, one might be-
come engrossed in watching for the fnan-
cial result of such a risk as the trans
planting. of so intricate production. The
cost of the experiment might be balanced
against the intended advance in prices.
the ridicule with which the departure of
the player was greeted on the occasion of
his last visit against the curiosity he will
provoke after his extended absence.
@Robespierre" "A Disappointment.
Even before the test is made 1t may be
predicted that, in all probability, Sir Hen
rvs admirers on these shores will be
grieyously disappointed in his Robespierre
and in the "Robespierre" of the French
dramatist. Victorien Sardou is fond OF
dabbling with the fierce and horrible
pictures of life; of welding with Herculean
force the most ponderoHs of human emo
tions. All Of his old methods are employed
in this latest composition, with the con-
sequence that the piece has half DOZEN
scenes capable OF such treatment as would
literally command the feeling Of an aud
ence. But these portions of "Robespierre'
come rather as disconnected tableaux than
as parts of a solitary narrative. The story
is of the ascension to power OF him whom
Carlyle calls the sea-green incorrupti-
BILE" and of the resultant desertion of
woman ne had loved. While Robespierre
is at the height of his greatness this wo-
man is arrested and thrown into prison.
Mad with dreajing and fearing, their son
insults the iather he does not know aid
is captured. in an interview with the prig-
oner the dictator learns that relationship
of which both have been ignorant, and,
learning also that the mother is in danger,
attempts to discover her whereabouts in
order to deliver her. Olivier, the boy, does
not trust his inquisitor and refuses to di-
vulge the secret of her enforced habta-
tion. Robespeirre finds his former mis-
tress, however, in time to save both, but
is finally beset by his enemies In the Ma
tional Convention, and, all the authorities
Notwithstanding. commits suicide
The progress of this tale brings to the
fore no less than seven massive and elab-
crate settings After having seen Sir
Henry's hundred supernumeraries listen
ing to the reading of roster of the con-
demned at Port Libre, and after having
heard them, by means of a frenZied roaring
and ranting drown the voice of the plead
ing former advocate, the spectator was only
too willing TO endorse the praise that has
been given the star for his handling of the
mob scenes NJ Sardou has provided. But
Irving himself seemed unaccountably
weak, his mannerisms were more than ever
intolerable and almost the only trace of
his old art he displayed was evidenced in
the wonderful dialogue described as occur
ring between himself and Kyrle Bellew |
the Olivier. Mr.. Bellew was hardly better
than he might have been and Ellen Terry
in the role of Clarisse de Mauducon lacked |
intensity in a notable degree.
''A Tale of Two Cities" Dramatized. |
To the ordinary theatregoer, who ana
lyzes his own emotions rather than the
play which prompts them, 1.-The Only
Way" which Martin Harvey first brought |
out at the Lyceum and afterward gave at
the Prince of Wales, is infinitely superior |
TO 'Robespicrre." Certainly il has accom-
plished as much. Mr.. Harvey was an un-
known quantity in England's stage world |
when he approached the Rev Freeman
Wills with proposition for the adaptation
Of "A Tale OF Two Cities" in which he had
unlimited confidence, despite the utter fail
ure of the Dickens version some years
ago. AS a consequence of the manner in
which London focked TO see THE Only
Way" and admired the stars Sydney Car |
ton, that individual is now one of the most
actors in Great Britain. His i'm |
was undoubtedly a master |
work-the realization of such a character |
must be masterwork or monstrous fias- |
co-and Mr.. Harvey deserves all the sue
cess he has won. So, too does a Miss De |
Silva, who assisted him by portraying Mr. |
Wills single creation, combination of |