New-York tribune., 1902-02-01
THE DRAMA.
OLD COMEDY AT WALLACK's.
THE SCHOOL Fok SCANDAL

OLD COMEDY AT WALLACK'S.
THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL"
It is deeply to be desired that such efforts as that
which was made yesterday at Wallack's Theatre,
in revival of The School for Scandal" should be
rewarded with abundant success. for their pros
perity would be propitious both to the enjoyment
OF the public and the welfare OF the stage. But
The School for Scandal" and other old English
comedies of kindred character be adequately
presented without careful preparation, and. above
all. they require the concurrence Of actors OF ex-
ceptional ability carefully trained. In Sheridan's
great cOmedy-perfect in every detail of its struct-
ure, polished in every word of its text and marred
only by certain streaks OF allusion,-the
spirit is that of elaborate. elegant arce imposed
on truth. Under the surface there IS reality Of
character and nature but the surface is all glitter
and without that glitter the play loses its legiti-
mate effect. The performance given yesterday was
might have been expected "a blanket in the
alarm Of fear caught up and it rather a wet
blanket, into the bargain Mr.. Bellew, Charles
Surface, displays, the part but the actor, the
man full Of himself conscious of his personal ad-
vantages, aware of his fine clothes and his pretty
attitudes appreciative of every jocuar speech
his feIictous vocal intonation in saying it.
In a superficial way,-in ease, in playful mischief
in needless frtvolity,-the embodiment is clever
but OF inherent distinction fine breeding natural
worth Of character, and, above all. affectonate
heart, 1t gives intimation. There is no more
feeling in Mr.. Bellows Charles Surface, when he
proposes to Maria (whom he Ioves). or at the
gracious and beautiful incident OF his refusal to
sell his uncies portrait, than there is IN stewed
prune. The performance is brisk and snowy; II
would inevitably be popular: but II is not Charles
Surface-for the reason that It lacks depth, sim
cerity. lovable sweetness of temperament artless
charm, and the repose of inherent stability,
Charles Surface is a born gentleman, a thoroughly
good fellow, IN his days and moods Of youthful
frcc; but all his goods not in the shop window
The part has seldom been truly played: at all
here Of late years. except by Mr.. Frank Worthing
Indeed. the fashion of truly and thoroughly act
ing any Of the parts in THE School for Scandal
has almost completely disappeared from our stage.
Contemporary actors engrossed with other
kinds Of drama, and even veterans, such as Mr..
Barton Hill. find II difficult to resume the old ways
in which they were reared. There touch of
tender feeling in Mr.. Hills Sir Peter Teaze.-in
the library with Joseph.-and there
touch OF bluff hunor in Mr.. Clarence Handysdes
Sir Oliver; but in the one case facility was marred
by nervous agitation while, in the other case all
shading Of character destroyed by strenuous
effort, and all sympathy Of feeling over
whelmed by boisterous tumut- The grim manner,
the ominous reserve, and the nonchalant delivery
which, according to Mr.. Morgans performance,
characteristic OF Joseph Surface. will hardly
be admired by observers who discern in that senti-
mental rogue a consummate type Of the accom-
plshed. specious, plausible, elegant, most earnest
and most insinuating vOluptuary and libertine. Jo
seph is the best part In the comedy. and one Of
the most superby drawn characters In all the lit
the theatre has always draped him in sombre col
and made his footballs heavy. Miss Marie
wainwright's unintelIigent Lady Teazle present
ed a spectacle CT fine raiment, spoiled with
silly by-play Sir Peters contrast OF her pres
with her past. and introduced the
warrantabIe and ridiculous business OF kiss
ing Sir Peters hand, after the catastrophe
Of the screen scene. and then going out with
murmured, sobbing supplication for pardon. This
weakens the effect at the moment and completely
vitiates the sequel. This Lady Teazle has baby
tones, nasal tones, and tones that vbrate between
whistle and a sQueal but wherefore either OF
them should be used in place Of natural, simple,
and easy vocalism observation fails to determine
Among the many horrors of the New-York stage,
at this time chief horror is the dreadful voice
II is heard everywhere. and, its ear-piercing
note is almost invariably accompanied by uninteil
gent reading and wrong distribution Of emphasis.
il considerably augments the weary, stale hat'
and unavoidable uses of this world The incon-
snic,,ous character of Rowley acted in an
obviously sincere spirit and commercially skilful
vay by Mr.. George Morton, who would have pro- |
duced still more artistic effect by abstinence from
endeayor 10 90 TOO much. AS whole this inter-
nretation of THE School for Scandal is COM |
mendabIe for worthy purpose, rather than for
copnpetent achievement. AS Friar Lawrence said !
of the love of Romeo:
This too rash unadvised too sudden
Too like the lightning, which doth cease to be-
Ere one can say 1t lightens.
". W.