New-York tribune., 1904-09-18
TAPS" SOUNDED.
Mr. Kelley and Miss Shannon ia
German Drama.

herman play "Zapfenstretch' by Franz Bayerlen.
was shown last night at the Lyric Theatre with
herbert Kelcey and Miss Efle Shannon in the
Leading parts. This drama. in its original tongue
Is not new TO Sew-York having been played last
winter at Mr.. Courieds irving Place Theatre, with
aerr Bonn in Mr.. Kelcey's role. and many pre-
olctons were made before the curtain rose by those
VINO had seen the play before regarding its reCep-
ton at the hands OF an English speaking audience.
1EeSe predictions were not. q rule. hopeful.
The play is too Teutonic IN tone said the know
ing ones Moreover English company can't
give It the proper atmosphere. It won't be under
STOOD or liked" But when the final curtain fell
most OF the wtseheads had to admit they had seen
a very good play. for one act at least adequately
performed and always intelligible. Taps may
not. as at present acted achieve brilliant artistic
success but it is very far from being failure as
whole and contains act that alone should
make 1t deservedly popular. an act certainly that
lovers Of skilful play construction cannot afford
to miss.
The story OF Taps Is simple. vokhardt. SER
geant major Of a German cavalry troop. has grown
gray in the service He wears the Iron Cross, and
nothing in life is so dear to his his duty, unless
1t is his daughter. This daughter. Clara has been
two years before the play opens betrothed to young
Corporal HeIbig but when the action begins HeIbig
returns from the riding academy 20 find her cold
to him he suspects the truth-that she Is in love
with Lieutenant Won LauTen-and goes to the ueu-
tenants ct night TO beg the latter TO leave
the girl alone. only to have his suspicious further
aroused, for Clara is indeed hidden in the ueuten-
ants bedroom In his mad effort 20 reach this bed
room to learn the truth he is struck by the lieu
tenant with a sabre, but he reaches the room and
looks within Then the lieutenant orders his arrest
for raising his hand against his superior officer.
The third act shows the court martial and is
written with great skill and culrniuative effect
The corporal TO shield the girl and the lieutenant
to shield both the girl and himself refuse to make
any statement that explain motive to the
court and witness after witness is called including
Clara's father. VoIkhardt. But nothing IS devel-
oped until by a cleverly devised twist OF the evil
dence, Clara's is brought into the case quite
without suspicion and she is called in as a witness
The court is little surprised learn that she has
been waiting at the door, and stiu further startled
into strained attention by her words and manner.
She testides to exactly what happened in Won Lauf
fen's room But how do you known asks the
court. Because was there" she answers.
rs this true?' the court asks OF the prisoner.
II suppose SO. since she says it, he answers.
"Is this true?'' the asks OF the lieutenant.
AT your service he replies. after long pause.
And at these words the old sergeant springs at
the seducer with his hand his sabre But a fel-
low non-commissioned officer catches him, explain
ing 70 the astonlshed court that he was about 10
faint. and the curtain falls.
IN the last act the father goes by night 70 the
Aeutenent's rooms. challenging him 70 a duel.
which the latter refuses to fight with a non-com-
Elissioued officer clara follows him there coming
into the room in time % hear his terrible denuncia
ton OF the injustice OF the service 10 which he has
given the best years Of his Life. He bids her go,
but she declares that she loves Won Lau1en, and
VIII not leave him At these words the old man
frenzy hnds an outlet Unable To pull the trigger
OF his revolver when It Is pointed at his superior
he turns 81 on his daughter and shoots her dead
Obviously IN this play Is profound emotional ap-
peal IN spite OF its utterly Germanlc setting and
rs basis 0f action in motives that quite foreign
10 the American
But these motives must 81 granted 20 exist IN
Germany and when granted the play VIII not only
consistently appeal the emotions. but inspire the
most solemn thought
Where the present performance OF the drama fails
far short oe the possibilities s in the acting ot the
r,.-or parts. IN Mr. Kelcey's lack ot character
protection and II the general laxness OF the stage
management.
Miss Shannon played her part sweetly and con-
vluctnslv and in Robert Lorraine. as the leu
tenant. she found a satisfying opposite. Charles
SV!ckard who made the translation. appeared IN
the amusing role OF the Count Won LehdenburS at
the court martial. and though one hardly COM
pares him with that fine actor Herr Won Seynerttz
M the Irving Place he proved diverung to the
audience. and brought down tho curtain on the
- with "A touch OF genuine art