New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-18
THE DRAMA.
Mr. GILLETTE AT THE LYCEUM
The Admirable Crichton- =

Al last success The play is excellent and 50
Is the performance. In The Admirable Crichton
Ar Barre has provided satire which reflects
equally upon the folnes Of a radical democracy
and the evils Of an irrational system OF caste
Upon me surface this satire is playful beneath
she surface. there is 9 serious purpose-the pr
pose 20 suggest a sensible orderly adjustment o.
human society. The vein q the faoTic :
partly that % Gilbert and partly thai OF oeiu-
For the American audience. IN TINS iIs1@lS 81
face is more important than depth the raiT1h o+
s-- more significant than the mora Lhls mn
IS ELECTED bv capsiEng the conFenuona-lues- Al
English 7obieraan and his family. having gene %
.... h,s-s q Yacht are cast away upon uopicAi
s-r ne roblanlan Lord Loan. has been the
..-osoeued champion o. social equality. while ne
r--1a- Crchton. has shown a preference lor
-.,--e-srfisrn- on the tropical Island AFTER me
,--e.s when order. labor and discipline have been
,-ase imperative. Crichton becomes The sovereign
bv reason u ais executive fsculfies.-ano LORD
roan Is favored with liberal experience o.
subordinate conditions and triumphant democracy
ms DAUGHTER becoming enaInoUred % The Fcseflos>
and enineutly capable hunky. and al clrcurn-
stances oouvergiag and combining 20 JUSTIFY ne
.orlinio7 q character ana talent Rescue ensaes
The castaways are carried back 10 England ana
grchtoa rrverts 20 the rank % outler. while Loan
resumes his station as an ear
The play is essentially whimsical Ar. Gil
rs-te who was welcomed with cordial plaUdits
rv brilliant audience. impersonsted CTichtou
in a Delightful mood q absolute sincerity
Tins producing the eject OF spontaneous
..-oo-srious humor. No actor better pre-
s.-ts The image % impe-turbabe gravity. and
--ischievous humor Is never - infectious a. when
.- wears the mask o. innocence and serious com
,.--u~e. Mr.. Guette's maintenance OF icy com
-oe1-e seIf-courafned yet obseoUious and respect
ral hs dry tones. his Characteristic gestures o.
Intentional seryitude. his absolute identifca-
--o- WIKI the character-these could be ex-
-~ued iu artistic truth. The piece Is overlsid
vith detail; the changes % mood follow the
changes % oircumsJanoe-and these are countless:
ra- never once cid the comedian lapse out OF the
comedy. and never once dc he lose his frm hold
1Q0n his audience IN the love scene. on the island
he struck the chord OF true feeling. and made man
s. passion seen sincere amid al the perils 81 bur
-rs1le and. The last he suggested ef1ect
~ Uarbos-ln marking The sharp contrast between
-e f-eedon % nature and the iron a-ti6ce o. cor
IGNITION He wa very ably assisted. especially b.
Ar Henry kemblc. the eccentric Lord Loan -
-1o-1uEhly humorous performance fun CT touches
-. nature and by Miss Parrie Browne. as Tweeny
the perfection OF London slaTey. The scenery
b. aeaCtiful the Lighting. Ii particular. HAVING
a. exquisite effect There WAS almost continuous
daughter and great and ner-ted applause. Tie
Play is SUPERB satire. with world o. meaning n
no the kind kzs been seen IN theatre since Gs-
5e-ts Engaged II Is fuIly as able; II is more
-1rp-eheusive and diverse and Il does not con-
tain one particle o. bitterness. There may be =
note of sacness-but- Il 50. Il is only thai ta--o1
note % love and loss and so-rUw that sounds fo--
ever CO Il a. human LIE. ". ".