New-York tribune., 1902-10-21
- o. - AnrrRIcAN rNvAs1oN...
mR. HARVEY AT THE HERALD SQUARE,
THE ONLY WAY"

The drama OF "The Only Way" written by Mr.
Freeman Wills, on the basis Of the imaginative and
powerful novel OF a Tale OF Two Cities,' by
Charles Dickens, was presented last night at the
Herald Square Theatre. and Mr.. Martin Harvey. Of
London. appeared in It, Sidney Carton. The
drama has been known here since September 10
1879 when. al this same theatre, II was brought
by Mr Henry Miller. who since then. has
acted sianey Carton far and wide throughout the
country II IS one Of several plays the
subject, the better OF which-because the more
poetic and less sensational--is Herman Merivae' :
An for Her" originally acted IN London, by John
Clayton and later produced in America by Lester
WaIack and by William H. Kendall Mr. Freeman
Wils's play moves upon the plane OF realism and
times is turbulent, but Il IS skfuIly constructed
and IL abounds with striking dramatic effects. 1t
begins in France with q representative picture
little" OF the atrocities Of oppression and crime
that precipitated the French Revolution; passes
10 London. in order TO show Defarge's willy machi-
nations 70 lure the exiled ST. Evremonde back to
Paris. and thus 70 the guilotine: presents ths
'ructiOn" Of a Jacobin trial: and finally exhibits
the exchange OF prisoners whereby Sidney Carton
saves St EvremOnde.-giving his life TO bless the
woman whom he unselhshly and deyotecly loves.
All readers Of Dickens are aware that in his por-
traiture of Sidney Carton he presented a con-
summate Ideal OF sublime self-sacrihce Dickens
himself (as he once said 70 the present writer.
considered "A Tale OF Two Cities" 10 be the
hest OF all his works: and. whether that judg-
ment be right wrong the story assuredy sets
forth most imaginative picture Of a terrible epi-
sode in human experience, together with a
regal and majestic conception Of the possible
grandeur OF human character and conduct Sidney
Carton is man OF genius. OF deep heart, Of ex-
qusite sensibility; lonely In the world: careless
OF his welfare; Indifferent all the caprices Of
fortune; needless Of all fates and equal TO any;
sometimes reckless and bitter-as hn' natures be-
come that were born for love but are bIighted with
disappointment and nurtured on failure and de-
spar,-but always sweetly and tenderIy pathetic
1i HArsey 10 some extent. but very superciaIIy
AoIcatee this character; but for AM adequate en-
"o-Aleht OF II he lacks weight. authority inherent
power anc the allurement OF genius Mr. Harvey
@S trained IN the good school OF Henry Irving
ala ne seems not unmindfu OF that great actors
~onoertul performance Of Robert Landry. IN The
Deao Heart he could not have formed MS style
on nelter model but he did not show. and prob
10Y ooes not possess. the intuition to grasp its
suous beauty or the ability 70 copv 10 snv nrsc
teal advantage, It's exquisite method a. ,-,s
happy IN the scene of semi-inebrierv and again ID,
me appeal 70 the French mob.-where his eloouenoe
rose 10 the fervor Of psssion.-and IN the calm of
ne maj sacrihce. The subtle. hateful, fanaticsl
a.ee was mace effectively dangerous and
arsaotul. oy Mr.. Hsviland. while 8ir Fred Wright
af sno Mr. Pat Alexander were notably efhciant
h tne Characters of DR.. Manette and Mr. Iorry
ne attendance was large; the applause liberal.
ne prooncton well devised TO please an indiscriu1
mate TASTE M Harvey acts boldly and win vlgor.
nat IS II no way exceptional His voice Is sorne
iHles throaty and invariably is metallic ana
aafo. while his elocuuon is rough blatant and re-
sroerant OF the exquisite refinement OF spiritusl
more IN the Dickens conception Of Carton ItbA ex
@-lsu SOUL the celestial magnanimity Of the lost
ana lonely mani. neither Mr. Harvey nor either OF
MS predecessors IN the part has given the faintest
,.nmation The adJurstion 10 Lucie. as spoken by
Nr- Harvey, was merely serious without a tremor
70 The words in the voice A respectable
'reoitable effort; nothing more