New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-18
THE DRAMA.
MISS ALLEN AT THE VICTORIA.
THE ETERNAL CITY,

THE ETERNAL CITY"
Miss Viola Allen. whose coming is always the
herald OF innocent pleasure ard the guarantee Of
,urnest artistic effort made her re-entrance in this
capital last night. at the Victoria Theatre where
she was hailed with many plaudits presenting the
character OF Roma. I'm drama made by Mr. Hall
Game. the basis Of his novel OF The Eternal
CIV" Her embodiment Of the hayward but faith
fl heroine whose evanescent anirnoslty is changed
70 love. and who wins her lover. and protects him
through many vicissitudes and peris in a stormy
period OF the life of modern Rome is an image of
render. entcing and spirited womanhood and
professional achievement Of ample variety and ad-
nirable skill. The play is a prolx and rather
heavy melcdraEna, but its investiture OF Roman
Observation-Disclosures OF the most interesting city in
the world-makes II attractive and its introduc-
tion Of the Pope, OF the characters irnparts
70 il certain air OF audacious novelty Unlike the
novel Of which il offers sort of abstract it is
neither poelcaI nor frowZy, since il contains very
little about the rights OF man the amaleamation of
govtrnments, and the reorganization of society.
but concerns itself more particularly with the love
story OF Roma and Rossi and aims only to present
q series Of telling theatrical situations. The move
inert passes exclusively in Rome. and il is mainly
implied by the evil and ingenious activity of
Baron Bonen, who schemes and labors 10 prevent
the marriage OF Roma with Rossi, TO win the girl
for himself and TO ruin and exterminate her favored
lover. Roma is portrayed as a virtuous woman
ard not-as in the noVeI.-a corrupt and wanton
aavsnturess. The change somewhat invalidates
the story, but il does in the least AFFECT the
dramatic gesUlt,-this being a matter OF incident
and climax. The situations are skilfully devised
and so arranged that each one is stronger than
It's predecessor and that all contribute 10 a
cumulative effect.
Mss Allen, as Roma. has 10 show the insulted
uoEan's resentment of Rossi's offensive speech:
her preparation TO easnsTe and punish him: her
ehnge OF sentiment toward him. when they meet
end recognize each other 5 having been lovers in
th' childhood Of long ago: her defiant attitude
tOyard his enemy; her revelation of the secret that
lsis the son Of the Pope; her denunciation of him.
asa conspirator.-a denunciation that is spoken TO
san his imperilled life; her assumption OF the guilt
Of having shot Boneli, when Rossi is unjustly ac-
cussg OF murder-the shooting having. in fact,
been accidental; and her happiness. when. at last.
hrlover is vndicated. and all clouds and obstacles
beSgeen them are cleared away. The part is la
bodous and exacting, but il provides the actress
win excellent opportunities. and all OF them are
utilized with judgment, ardent feeling. and sym
pshete force. The most touching situation. per-
hps, Is that IN which Roma wildly inVokeS as
10 oppose her potential and malignant foe,
md is answered by the interpositon OF the Sow
reign Pontih himself-an incident OF genuine value.
moving admirable inventive faculty and dramatic
sense. Efforts have been made TO promote dis
eussion OF the expediency Of employing the Roman
Pontin a stage character, but the expedient
proves 10 be absolutely harmless. Dramatic lit
eraturs is populous with archbishops cardinals and
prelates Of every order: Shakespeare uses them
very freely: ana, lnGeeos me introduction OF an
old Pope is in no way more objectionable than
the introduction OF an old king. Mr. z. II.
Holland, who. essentially, is eccentric comedian
nevertheless assumed the Pope with noble dignity
and made him a stately ard venerable figure, mel
ancholy with age and with tender Renaissance Of
lost love and withered hope. yet formidable and
PREDOMINANT with VirtUous power. There was
however, some lack Of supreme innate distinction
IN the personality Of depth in the feeling. Of de-
liberation in the manner. and OF pathos in the
voice. Another fsne performance is that of Baron
Bonelu by Mr.. De Belleville. who has precisely
the style needful for q willy diplomat plausible
rascal and a dangerous, implacable, sinister, and
deadly enemy. The making OF the posture Of cir
cunstanees needful TO the building Of the fabric Of
Mot Is accomplished by exceedingly drastic means,
as in the second scene OF the first act and the first
scene OF the third; but in act second there are
many fine touches and in Roma's eolioquies with
Rossi and with Bonelli, up TO the destruction OF
the bust Miss Allen put forth splendid dramatic
mower and struck the true note Of passion. Ihere
was a touch Of the true fire. ukewise-in fact,
ferzeut burst Of nature-in M. W. z. Bonney's
embodiment OF Rocco. which marks him an actor
Of native strength, originality. and robust emotion
which he Is not ashamed 70 show M Edward
Morgan. apparently rot mE,h moved by either the
liberal politics or the amatory emotions OF hossl
land indeed the part IS exceedingly preachy. lacka
dasicaI and soporfe) acted with his best theology
cal manner and with = liberal diffusion OF nonchal-
snce The play OF The Eternal City hardly ex-
rlatns and does not at all justify the pother that
has preceded IT, but it is a successful play OF an
inferior kind and doubtless IL will have remuner-
alive career.