New-York tribune., 1902-03-20

the stage. representing lane outside the castle.
where the vaciIlattng PaoIo yielded 20 tn.
temptation Of seeing Francesca once more be-
fore death and where Giovanni received tidings
or a revolt at Pesaro. The third scene was laid
in a terraced garden with an arbor OF roses
under sturdy oaks, where PaoIo and Francesca
read together the romance of Launcelot and fell
into each others arms. Mr., Henry AinIey and
Miss Evelyn MiIlard, who had hitherto been
playing under restraint in a minor key. al last
had dainty love scene TO enact and did their
work with exquisite deIicacy. simplicity and
charm. The final act was taken up with the
return Of the jealous Giovanni 20 the castle.
bent uPon a scheme of venseanc~. the fright
ened Francesca's pleading first with him and
then with Lucrezia. the meeting Of the lovers
irstigated by Nfta- the continental maid. and
the outburst Of murderous passion With which
Giovanni, after Staying them. ordered their pub
lie marriage before all men" when their bodies
had been borne into the hall on a litter The
action was rapid and impressive. and Mr. Alex
ander kept his talent for melodrama we'll under
restraint The lovers iTnPassioCed VOWS were
quickly followed by the Jyrant's cynical out
cries for second wedding. AL reverent and
seemIy.' with music wine and lights. and by
Lucrezias frenzied moan for her child dying
in youth Blind AnEe-as gropinE hand reaches
she had foretoId in prophetic vision, but it was
Giovanni who took the part Of the Greek chorus
in the closing passage.
Not easily have we three come 70 this
They loved. uuwiIliugIv 7 slew them Now
/ kiss them on the forehead quickly.
She takes away my strength
! did not know the dead could have such hair.
Hide them They look like children fast asleep
Mr.. Alexander deserves nigh coumendation
not only for his own impressive and picturesque
impersOnarion but also for the siUgUlarly beau
tifuI and symmetrical presentation OF this
UNIQUE tragedy. The stage management was
effective without bviug overwrought with deco
ration. and rhe costumes and scenery were
chaste and lovely The rose arhor was simple
but entrancins dream II beauty lovely caskst
for the jeweIIed lines Of Dante. which Mr.. Phil
lips had recast into exquisite dramatic form
II the play was picturesque 20 the eye. the verse
Was musical 70 the ear, for the actors had mas
tered the rhythm and the audience lost little Of
its beauty. Mr. Alexander company did every
thing that was possible 10 render the presenta-
tion OF the play satisfactory in a dramatic sense
for even minor parts like the Mia Of Miss
BraithWaite and the spothecary's daughter.
Tessa. of Miss Margaret HaIstan were played
with spirit and charm The Impression left upon
my own mind vas that "Paolo and francesca"
was much stronger as an acting play than
had supposed when I read it IN my library. II
Dance's immortal lines describing the lOvemak-
ing behind the romantic story Of LaUnceiot and
Guinevere have inspired the one human appeal
that touches the heart. when all the characters
are betrayed into mean and ignobIe action. Mr.
Phillips has succeeded in irupar1ing drama tic
force TO the motives by variations Of the tradi-
tionaI theme and by the creation of subordfnats
figures The lovers belong to Dante and Boccac-
clio but Giovanni has been transformed into a pO-
erc figure with dramatic resources. and Lu-
crezia, blind Angela. Mia. Tessa and the minor
figures help 70 set a really noble poem into ac-
ton. The poem is vitaIized with dramatic force
and becomes on the stage powerful as we'll
beautiful and impressive picture Z NJ