New-York tribune., 1901-09-11
THE DRAMA.
MISS GALLAND AT THE LYCEUM

THE FOREST LOVERS"
The Lyceum Theatre was opened last night. for
the regular season. and Miss Bertha Galland
handsome and pleasing young actress. who has
lately sprung into considerable public favor ap-
peared there in ultra-romantic and wildly fan
eful play called The Forest Lovers" made by
Miss Clo Graves and Mr. A. z. Lancaster upon
the basis Of a recent fiction by Mr.. Maurice Hew-
lett Miss Galland acted Isoult a suppositious
gypsy girl who ia saved from disgracerul abuse
and ignoninious and violent death by a wandering
knight Prosper le Cal, and whose exquisite
purity and celestial influence ultimately en-
no2s the spirit OF her preserver and win
ms love. The charm of this performer is dainti-
ness Of manner and exuberance OF person com
mingled with an apparent artlessness Of mind and
with blithe. sweet, eager temperament This or
Ger OF personality. when its angelic aspect is dis
eosed among AL the elaborate and dreary artihces
oi the stage easily perplexes Judgment: but this
eCHess whether substantial superficial and
whether her professional equipment be abundant
OF meagre (Which might better be determined IL
she were visible in a rational play) certainly
allures with the soft persuasion of piquant tnuo-
cence' and charms with the beguilement of
natural grace The character in which she has
appeared ranges among the poetic ideals that are
tgphed BY Sponsors Una. The play-which is old
lasnioned melodrama-embodies in a series of
pictures, a medieval story of love and trouble
peris and escapes. appalling adventures. wicked
NESS Daffied and much prosecuted virtue ultimate
~ rewarded with exemplary bliss II is such a
s'ory as Q. p. r. James might have recounted in
: romance, or, perhaps, TennysOn might have en-
0rooered IN IdylIic verse
is tine is the beginning Of the thirteenth century
~ current runs through forests and converts and
eesues and its adjuncts seneschals and pages
Hsh-at-arms and monks Ministries and sootn-
'eEs' the drawbridge. the donJon and the moat.
oae Character is a witch finder another is a IL
senuons and rapacous barren. and still another is a
.ense herd. who slaughters her lovers with poison
- ~ entirely willing be a procuress of hell.
heroine Is repeatedly placed in danger, and
.eateoly is rescued; and when at last her knight
-+dat ceases TO be geld and awakens to the i'm
- oi IoVe she is Simultaneously restored to her
''isht and crowned with his idoIatrous arec-
The details could not readily or usefully
=. ed 4piied IN words. The play is one
s.uations, and these are for the eye A free
- - mas oeen given Fancy. and the appeal is
- ~Ao not without ingenuity, to the credulity
.,ssmpathy Of minds that still retain their child
readiness OF implicit belief Miss Galland
r. ,OOieially greeted and frequently recalled In
S'eA speaking she is both and sweet; at
s-.ts iits OF excitement she becomes fantastic in
oe and shrill and elamorous deno,ing not
- power but the vehemence that is COM
rst mistaken for IL. Her impersonatioa Of
nn WIZ De found TO be good melodramatic,
49,. d conventional level. The actress in
mas nothing to do that could not easily be
- y any player Of moderate abinty and fair ex-
lsouits repulse of the tpsy Prospe-'s
n,, advances was managed with simple dig
q u genuine feeling-the native distinction OF
Ou woman. Rhoda Cameron gave a powerful
81. S'eh orllIant performance OF the unspeaka ble
rhs nost oetestable female-Dame Maulfry
NJ PiaS Is mostly written in smooth and graceful,
sahh verse. the capital work of Mr. iancas,a- a,,
o. rare beauty ",