New-York tribune., 1901-01-13
LONDON y >TES.
PATRIOTIC MILITARY DRAMA AT THE
LYCEG'M- M-MAGNANlMITG ON THE
FIGHTING LINE.
London. December %.


rhine has been the production of Henry W. at
me Iyceum Theatre. SplendidIy costumed and
staged il has been a series of brilliant spectacles
and tableaus with soldier King trumphing
in council diplomacy, war and love, and Vindi-
eating his right to be accounted sturdy demo-
cratic patriot and a great Englshman. MI
Lewis Waller not only royal robes, but
also has the bearing and distinction of klngiy
parsonage: and his voice has the fervor required
for imparting enthusiasm to his warriors on the
stage and for stirring the hearts of auditors in
stalls and galleries. Subtlety was lacking In
lis denunciation of the treacherous lords on the
upening night: the scornful reply TO the mock
ing message of the Dauphin delivered too
quietly and there was inadequate variety in his
uyplay in the masquerade among the soldiers
and camp followers; but he was at all times
earnest handsome and impressive a wise and
aErewd ruler in council a military leader with
commanding presence and the buoyancy Of
youth. a national hero in touch with the masses.
ard an ardent lover wooing the Princess with
ia!petuous cIoquence and carrying her by storm.
2s he had taken Harheur. His finest moment
Was in the delivery of his address to his soldiers
before Agincourt when every pulse in the thea
ire was quickened; but the impersonation was
strong and artistic from beginning TO end not
because it was a character study worked out in
detail, but because he had a distinct ideal King
Harry in his mind. and was consistent in en-
b3dying the conception formed of noble part.
Mr. William Moson as Mr.. Walters business
partner in this theatrical enterprise had 10 be
provided with large part as the drama
could supply: and having found il in Pistol he
llayed it with unrestrained energy and melo-
dramatic vehemence When the curtain rose
;3on the yard Of the Boars Head Tavern East
chcap Rardolph Nym and Pistol were disclosed
IN a grotesque and hideous makeup which
rendered the comic studies veritablc caricatures'
and the m-lodrama was oycractcd throughout,
especially in the le"k scene with Flurilen The
galleries enjoyed the eXasgeration and the bur
l,sque. but the drama Was thrown out of bal
ance What were intended by Shakespeare as
comic interludes for the transtory refr,shment
OF the spectators and for artistic effects "f CON
trast were magnihcd into leading motives and
principal scenes Mr. Moliison had the rich
voice and swaggcrin" presence requisite for the
Prince of Swashbucklcrs. and Mr l.. NJ. Robson.
with diminutiv, figure ami pert loquacity. VAS
we'll cast Fluellcn; but the symmetry of the
play was sacrificed by the undue Development
Of the farcical scenes. Tho comedy byplay was
oyeraccentuated until it was little better than
buresque.
The mounting Of the play most brilliant
The presence chamber Of the Kings Palace was
q splendid picture of old Westminster. and the
costumes Of councillors, mobiles, heralts ana
Courtiers were most artistically ordered The
embarkation scene At Southampton with the
fleet in the harbor and the quay filled with
knights ia armor was stirring spectacle The
military pictures were among the best ever
seen on the English stage. There was iiarfieur,
with the breach in the wall and the onrush ot
the English soldiers: there King Harry $
camp in Picarly with the sweep of a wide river;
there were glimpses of the French pavilion and
the English lines near Agincourt. with fine dis Z
plays of oldtime weapons aud armor; and !
there were three distinct tableaus showing the /
progress of the battle and the final rout Of the /
French. The French pavilion near Rouen and /
the palace where the Princess wooed and /
peace proclaimed less conspicuous tri- |
umphs of scenic art than the military pictures.
The French passages of the play were indeed |
sOmewh hat slurrcd; and this unfortunate. |
for the effects Of contrast between the effemnacy
and luxury Of one court and camp and the ro-
bust virtues of the English throne and army |
were diminished In this respect MIR. BensOn's |
production of Henry W a year ago at the same
theatre was a more symmetrical performance
and in closer accord with the Shakespearian
method and spirit; and there was a truer sense
Of proportion and relative values in the treat
ment Of comic passages and the essential ele-
ments Of military and historic drama. with it's
patriotic motives.
The restoration of the functions Of Chorus