New-York tribune., 1901-03-08

sents Count skariatine with power and ver,atu,
talents in "A Cigarette Makers Romance" has,
upon Mr.. Marion Crawford's novel. Mr. A.
thony Hopes Adventure OF Lady JTrsuIap r.,,
be revived at the Duke of York's and ..par,,..
has come on at the Garrick 1t is a vin+a- "a
theatre going. with attractions to suit s,,o.-
taste.
The production of "Coriolanus" at the C,or,as-
Theatre is a noteworthy revival ~ - .
Shakespeares least known Roman rlo,-.
will only be seen for a fortnight bur Sir III
Irving has also chosen il for his oDenins -
formance at the Lyeeum in the spring Tta.-
may be a touch of antithesis in the nrasou4.
ton OF this play at this time The Queen ba.
oeeh onrled after a unique demonstration o-
public homage and gratitude in which t,a
masses nave heartily united. CorioIanus aftar
serving Rome with patriotic ardor excited ~.
lntrisues OF patricians and the envy of derna.
gogues and was exiled by an ungratefuI nonr-
lace because he was not time-servina noI
teian and would not curry favor with the
masses whom he despised Whether ar+i+bo.,-
he we'll timed or not, "Coriolanus." as enactas
by the Benson company is well worth seair,
The staging is not elaborate but the costume.
are as correct for the Roman period as s,g.
gestionS from the remains of ancien. art car
make them, and the pictures of the early Forum,
the VOlscian camp and the interior Of Corio-
lanus's house are artistic in color and groupnp
Coriolanus is not a one character play and this
renders it entirely suitable for the Benson COM
pany. whose chief merit is aIl-around excellence
in subordinate parts Miss Genevieve Wards
impersonation of Volumnia was really great q,
its distinct Roman quality it's dignity of car.
Tiage and in the moving pathos of the final ma
ternal appeal to her proud spirited and resent
Sicinius velutus. a tribune Of the people IN
his opening scene, without uttering more than
half a dozen lines. he conveyed a distinct i'm
preston of the demagogue by his stolid indif
ference to the honors paid to the conaueror and
by his smile of cynical amusement in his bvnlav
with patricians and the mob Mr. swets a.
Menenius Agrippa, the loyal friend of Coro-
lanus. played with exceptional power revealing
qualities which had not been disclosed in hi,
previous comic roles Mr. Weir as First Citfzs,
had minor part, but Mr.. Brydone. as General
Of the volscisns. was exceptionally strong ana
dramatic.
Mr.. Benson. as Coriolanus acted with great
dignity and earnestness making the character
entirely reasonable and at times highly dra
matte Pride rather than ambition was en-
phasized, especially in the passages in the
Volscian camp in which Shakespeare makes his
only departure trOm PIutarch'S story. IL he an
swered the jeers of the Voscian warriors and
struck down the Knockers instead Of enduring
ridicule with mute disdain, he was true TO
Shakespeare; but in his contemptuoUs scorn OF
the patricians and the caprcioUs populace IN
Rome. he Plutarch's man. There was a
fine contrast between his haughtiness when con-
fronted with tribunes and bear-baiting citizens
and his tenderness ard humility in addressing
his noble mother. and in the closing tableau in
the VOlscian camp. where mother. wife and
child were kneeling before him and entreatng
him TO remember that he was born a Roman
the revulsion of feeling when at last ne opened
his arms. we'll knowing that death would be the
penalty for the failure of retributive justice
denoted with touching pathos. The old Roman
play offers a fine study of human character and
emotions. and is interlined passage after passage
with political philosophy. II can never be
popular play. for il is sonbre in color and lacks
the humorous passages with which Shakespeare
ordinarily relieves tragic intensity Enacted as
IL is with spirit and intelligence by Mr.. Benson's
we'll trained company. it offers promise Of an ex-
ceptional display of stagecraft by Sir Henry Irv-
ing and Miss Terry. INF