New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-25
MISS RUSSELL AS LADY TEAzLE.
Casino.

When the final curtain closed On Lady Teazle,
at the Casino, last night Mss Lillian Russe4l
stood before the line of the gorgeousiy go"hed
chorus singing song about Charity, and hoIH-
ing out both hands to the audience, which was
brilliant one filling every seat and most OF the
standing room in the theatre. And nobody seemed
disposed to deny her what she asked The casino
was long Miss Russel's home although she has
not appeared there since 1897 In The Wedding
Day" and & Christmas present Of welcome back
was not to be denied her. She locked her best
which is very well indeed, and she certainly need
ed all the youth and beauty she could summon TO
her command for this present essay
The essay Is no less than an attempt 10 play the
mart OF Lady Teazle in what John Kendrick Bangs
and R c. PenAeld. the tb-ettsts. have chosen to
call an operate version" OF THE School for
Scandal" Mr.. Bangs gravely admitted one SheEi-
dan into the list of cola borators. but as matter
Of fact save for the interpolation Of many songs
and the boiling down Of the original play of five
acts and fourteen scenes into three acts OF three
scenes with a few minor changes IN outline, Lady
Teazle" as the present version is called, is Sheri-
dams immortal comedy. When it inspires mirth
Sheridans dialogue is the cause or Saertdans sit
uatons are rising their rights, and the second
act of LADY Teaze proceeds to its climax. Sheri-
dams fourth act is being played. word for word
point for point Such Is the task set for Miss
Russell and her associates. and hence the subtle
appropriateness of Miss Russeus song.
Yet those who come 10 scott. or to cry sacriiege.
by no means so badly that Miss Russell and her as
sociates carry of their task. and it s by means
so bad a thing that they co as many might expect
Shades OF all great actresses, Miss Russell IS not
Miss Rehan! But neither are many singers Duse
when they play La Traviata.' And, thanks to Mr.
Bangs Tor Mr.. Perield), modern slang and modern
musical comedy methods have been rigidy eXclud-
cd from this ibretto. the 'yrics are not offensive
to their context. the chOrUses are in keeping Sheri
dan in short has been treated with q seemly rev.
Nv Den GaJA bffrbj
wagon not so much to star as a good comedy.
has striven 10 produce i musical play refined
dramatically worth while and consistently on a
high plane. The real fault to &c found with Mr.
Bangs Tor Mr.. Penhed) is that he has adhered TOO
closely ia Sheridan. and hence invited inevitable
and disastrous comparisons with the great players
Of the dramatic stage
This is shown clearly when the screen falls and
Charles Surface exclains. Lady TeaZle by all
that's wonderful" and Sir Peter, Lady Teazle
by all that's damnable!'-both in recitativei And
then Miss Russell breaks into a song OF pleading
to her husband, Sheridan's situation by its sheer
force has to this moment carried Itself and that
sudden burst Of music comes with a shock, and
memory, till then forgivngly inactive. asserts
itself. And though Miss Russell delivers the For
not one word Of it, Sir Peter!'' surprisingly well,
memory IS no longer forsiving. Either the very
much more or the good deal less is demanded.
The music which is b. =. Baldwin Sloane calls
for 70 extended comment It mas some songs, rotabIy
one sung By MISS lisa INC -AA44A ti-iN Ot-e
two by Miss Russell, that Will doubtess prove
popular with Casino audiences. bug musically the
piece is Oh plane with a hundred other latter
DAY offerings in this field Of entertainment. Nor
docs the promised re, nth Of Mss Russelrs voice
seem to have been achieved. Her singing .ent to
the play touch of melancholy not cCutrived by
the authors. Van Rensselaer, wheeler played
Charles Surface with spirit and W. I Carleton
showed that he had studied earnestly the stage
traditions of the character Of Sir Peter. George
rockingham. as Sir Oliver. too was aware Of
the meaning Of his task Miss Russell and all
concerned have iabored diligently indeed o put
this production On a plane removed from the
slough OF vaudeville into which musical comedy
has fallen; crime cannot be urged against theh'
tur crime is low aim. not excessive elevation