New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-06-03
THE DRAMA-MUS1C.
MISS ALLEN REVISES THE HUNCH-
BACK

When some one sang to Robert Franz trans
posed version of one of his Lieder, the latter Is
reported TO have said. Very good. hut II Is not
my song" Had James Sheridan Knowles been
present the Garrfck Theatre last night where
Miss Viola Allen presented The Hunchback, ne
might have said, Very good. but that is not my
play He might, too have added to the remark
for he was a fellow of spirit. Miss Aliens
four-act version his fye-act play did more than
cut out and combine the original scenes-it trans
posed and shifted them; her second act opened
with revised version of the opening scene for
the original third act the speech about the twenty
trips the scmpstress's written for Fathom, was
put in the mouth Of a maid; the scene between
Helen and Modus came early in the play (Which
well. for it woke up the audience): and the
strong in the final acts. when Julia and
Clifford and then julia and Master Walter are
together made to change place. The few
trusting in the audience who brought copies
of the play along had hard time of u. Whether
is credit the original play that II stood this
handling well. whether IL points 20 rather
haphazard construction in the first place, were,
perhaps. subject for debate.
OF the play presented one could say in gen
eral that for three acts II was but doubtfully in
teresting This In small part due 20 the
inability of nearly all concerned 10 handle the blank
verse in which the bulk Of the play IS written.
OF those who spoke much the eocution OF E6"n
PiyrnDton As Master Walter. the hunchback was
by far the best and Miss Aliens was the worst
She gasped for breath in way that was audible
all over THO theatre, and which became at times
really painful to those listening The rest onended IN
similar but marked fashion Knowles verse Is
never imaGinatiYe, and seldom musical. but IL IL
yrile. direct and often dignihed. The process OF
wrestling with It should be gone through at rehtar
sails not a the performance A Woiut ignorance
# elocutiOn demanded by the piece then, max
ing stiIted and artificial situations in themselves
none too dramatic. marred the FIRST three acts. =,
The last act which combined in a fashion the
fourth and fifth Of the play as written. went lar
better because in itself more dramatic ana because
Miss Allen rose the occasion. giving dignity
Ia her lines she had before done. and playing
with a genuineuess OF feeling she had not before
exhibited. The play finished strongly ana win
grace not little Of the final impression coming
from Master Walters closing speech. which was
spoken with a feeling for the language Mr. f'iymp-
Ton would have done wen to tmoart 10 TIE rest
Of the company. Perhaps he did try ;,
one need not go into detail as regards the llul-
vduaI actors. The Hunchback, the pay was
after all the interesting thing. Miss Alien hihHe
her entrance with animal extra not down on
the book: she came In chasing butterfly ieF at
tempt 10 be grlish and playful was not happy. III,
the next act she interjected a lapdog, cut sun
failed to make Julia either natural or Appearing
so did Miss Allen. The most hnished WORK wa
done by Jameson Lee Finney as ModuS; whose
comedy was delicious and appreciated by the audi
ence and who said what little ne had 10 say VIII
fauIfIess elocuti0n. He aided charhlhGiy by
Niss Adelaide Prince Helen usually rather
thauless part But Miss Princes voice. IKE MISS
Aliens at times threatened to grow IN ;, A..
However, to up in the WORDS OF an olu M NJ 81
nightcr Let us forget 10 praise MISS Alitl
Tor seeking a legitimate reputation through Inc
medium of a classic rather than thrlstah'