New-York tribune., 1900-09-04
TIE DRAMA.
OTIS SKINNER IN PRINCE OTTO

OTIS SKINNER IN PRINCE OTTO
In thoroughly unostentatious manner Otis
skinner brought forward at WalIack's Theatre last
night his drama based Robert Louis Stevenson's
Prince Otto.' Mr.. Skinner had not spread abroad
any interviews with himself, explaining what
the matter with the stage and how it would look
up when he got hold of it; he had served no notice
on the public that the Hudson River would pres
entity be observed in flames He told what his play
be, and then devoted himself playing
it. At the end of the fourth he made short
speech, which had more of the ring of modesty than
any utterance which has proceeded from any young
actor in many day. Mr.. Skinner is by
actor. He has been seen on the local stage
from time to time for several years but his present
effort is more ambitious than any of his former
ones, and 1t therefore conveyed of novelty.
1t is impossible to say that either the play the
performance exceptionally fine. but both were
well directed efforts and both gratifying
The charm of StevensOn's narration cannot
well be conveyed the stage, and that which
seems fascinating in a book will sometimes prove
less to audience just because, through the
very change Of the method of presentation, the
chief ingredient Of the fascination, fully
ognized, perhaps, has been lost.
Mr. Skinner understands the stage and how a
story ought TO be told for its purpose, and his
play is best when it most devotes itself to the
telling of the story. When it tries be humorous
between whiles it falls into those soughs which
prepared for the stage writers who viii try to
them at fixed intervals. Aged court counsellors.
intrusted with the affairs OF nations do not make
public exhibitions of themselves by doddering about
and imploring their young wives in squeaky voices
to stop flirting. The sorrows of the yokel who
resents the familiarity of his sweetheart with the
lordly guest under her fathers roof also rather
threadbare a $ comic material
The serious parts Of the play written with
a irmer hand and simpler and truer understand
ing. The dialogues of the Prince and the Princess
fervent and effective, and the hopeless love of
the Countess Won Rosen for her Prince. devoted to
bringing his wife back to his side is good dramatic
material skilfully used In the scenes which these
three act together there is affectation, and
there is no overstraning for effect They
played saney and easily and the effect comes OF
itself If ii could come sooner the play would be
the better. but it is good when it comes.
Mr.. SINNERS acting OF title part of the
same sort the writing of the best portions Of
the play. With no overeIaboration or wearisome
heroics' it is firm sincere and manly He knows
mandng Without any air of calling UPON ma ali the
gods TO behold him, And these, as actors go, just
now are r good 8, gifts The assistance which he
FIX FilIins was Of much value to him Miss Has
cretlon the one frozen by neglect and the other
confused @ by =, false S counsel Both were capable OF
acter, the picture presented was clear and
Miss Fiikins played her was a woman of q frivoI7
Gus and INSCRIPTIONS but rot otherwise bad nat
selfish care for its object. She too acted with
skill and charm. and correctly filed her part of the
The general distribution of characters was as
follows:
Gottfried Won Waldenhof Frank sylvester
aG chaneeEor PafTnitz Alfred Edw&rda AqsR
Major Fergus Frederick Van Rensseaer
Lord Philip H Rees Davies
Attendant Louis Webster
Farmer Leopold Eugene Eberie
seTaphina Princess OF Kroncfeid Percy HssweI