The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1901-03-07
MINN1 ron BARHHELM.
Brilliant Dramatic Event Inst Night Mt
ha


The performance at the Hyperion
last evening was the theatrical event OF
the year in New Haven. An immense
audience, representing the best culture
of the university and the city, showed
by its attention and by its enthusiasm
how deeply the generosity Of Herr Con-
ried is appreciated. In these days when
the theatrical trust knows no over-lord
but lucre, it is indeed refreshing to see
a man like this German manager. not
only having the highest dramatic
ideals, but willing to make large sac
fliice OF time, energy, and cash to see
them realized He is doing double
service of the highest utility and value;
he must henceforth be reckoned a pow
erful ally of the German department of
our universities, and he Is all the time
making a definite contribution to the
elevation of the American stage. While
other New York theaters are occupied
with cheap mclodrama, burlesques, and
wretched dramatiza lions of popular
novels, the irving Place produces only
those plays that have a real reason for
existence
| "Mlnna Won Barnhelm" was the first
German comedy of any Importance and
ranks to-day as the best one in the
language. 1t is Lessing's greatest play.
1T has none of that weakness which is
SO manifest in his other dramas. The
characters move and speak like beings
of flesh and blood. The construction Of
the play and the development Of the
plot are almost perfection. The scenes
succeed each other in logical order, and
the unity of the piece as work of
art-the only unity worth anything
Is sustained throughout Its humor is
irresistible, but is like its author in be-
! ing robust rather than delicate and
subtle. The comedy is almost flawless.
and ranks on a par with the classic
English comedies Of Sheridan and Gold
smith. Leasing was one of those rare
geniuses who showed both by precept
and example what the true drama
should be. AS dramatic critic, al
though he fiercely attacked false STAN
dards, he was really constructive; and
his criticisms were backed most sue
cessfully by his own creative work in
art.
The performance last evening was
German through and through, and even
to those spectators who were totally
ignorant Of the language, must have
seemed delightful. For 1t had Teu-
tonic flavor genuine and unmistakable.
From the first sleepy growls of Just
to the final joyous embrace of the
sprightly F'ranziska, the spirit of the
Fatherland was predominant AS to
the actors, they showed the combina-
ton of native talent and careful train
ing in the best schools The highest
praise that can be given to acting in a
piece like this, they richly merited-
their acting was in every sense of the
word intelligent They showed a COM
plete grasp of the spirit Of the play,
and their rendition of the lines was il
Illuminating. They spoke trippingly on
the tongue. without mounting 1t, and
were not too tame either. They suited
the action to the word, the word to the
action, and did not o'erstep the modesty
of nature.
Herr Kierschner, the veteran of the
cast gave a finished and artistic per-
formance of the important part of
Just, the devoted servant of the Major.
He was adequate in every detail and |
IL was Will lllSLcosJlilsS litoa- |
ure that the audience followed him |
through his role. Like every efficient
servant, he knew his place, and never |
once stepped outside of the character
he portrayed. Apart from his slsillful |
acting, the honors of the evening were
divided between the two ladies', Fri. |
Hedwig LANCE and Fri. Marie Eisen-
hut. The former, as the lovely and |
lovable Minna looked the part to per- |
lection, and spoke the lines with dig I
nifty and distinction. She was as wo-
manly as Leasing intended she should
be, and In the rdifficult scene where |
she attempts to overcome Tellheim's
che was admirable. Fri.
Eisenhut was certainly capable
Franziska. Her intelligence and viva
city would almost have carried the
play alone. In the more subdued
scenes, she was delightfully."- demure;
and in the broadly comic passages, she
aroused spontaneous enthusiasm. Herr
as the Host, seized all the
possibilities of the part; he was unctu-
JUS, elaborate, and obsequious, In the
'ole of the Major Won Telheim, Herr
Emmerich might have let himself out
bit more, without disadvantage. He
seemed trife self-conscioue and once
,r twice almost stiff; a little less rigid
ty would have been acceptable. But
n the manly dignity, which is the Ma
or's chief characteristic, he was all
hat could be desired. The other parts
we're all we'll managed, Herr Gilbert as I
he genial Werner receiving we'll mer-
ted applause.
In response to repeated calls, Direc-
or Conred made felicitous speech
which was enthusiastically received.
He also addressed the Yale Dramatic
association in their rooms at Warner
lall and fired them with his own con-
agious energy. The men and women
f the cast were entertained after the
at Stewards, where many
f the audience had the privilege of ex-
ressing to them personally their pleas
re in listening to such finished actors !, |
nd actresses. Professor Gruener, who
as worked faithfully in preparation
or the play, and to whom much of
asst nights success is due, presented
he director and the members of the
ompany with souvenirs, in graceful
A word should be added in praise
{ the admirable programme, the work
f Hollon Farr of the German depart
lent of the university. The title-page
{ the first edition Of the play. 1857,