New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-06
THE DRAMA.
NEW PLAY At THE MANHATTAN.
"The Virginian.

A yourg man from Virginia by occupation a
sscorg-puncher," and young woman from Vermont,
nv occupation q schooralstress. meet in prim-
.tire town Of the Far west are attracted toward
ench other, and, after some yicissitudes, become
lovers and are married ToItraiLUrc of these per-
sens and narrative OF these vIssitudes constitute
the novel % The Virrtniaa.' by NJ owen Wister.
md the basis Of tia. novel Nj Ni5ter and Ar.
Firke La Saele have made a play. which
produced last night. at The Manhattan Theatre.
and eaerget.caIly and effectively acted TO the ap-
parent satisfaction % q numerous and aQprecIatve
audience. To writer's Of fiction, especially
since the time Of the admirable and !acncnted Bret
IIarte, the ''coy-pCaCher," or, he is sometimes
called. the cowboy" seems 10 be an object of
almost beglderinE eachantment This parsonage, as
encountered in actual life, can, long range, be
viewed vita c0nQosure, and At all events is no-
likely to be mistaken for either Lord Chesterfield
or Saint John. AS depicted by Alr. Wister he is 4
creature Of such physical beauty, such mental vsor
such moral attitude. such executive equipment and
such universal genius ought serve as 9
beacon or EeGdlig ht for the nation. and indeed,
IN example for the human race. Remarkable for
positive theological convictions. warm approval Of
The works C Shakespeare pleasing critical views
q Robert Browning mild contempt for the faultless
stories o: Jane Austen partially for the practical
Joke, and prod.g1ous skill to rear the humorous
liam. re IS still more astounding for faciIe touch
n the great art Of poker suctorial capacity as
10 ardent spirit. and celebrity and precision the
use Of guns.
IN Mr.. WLster's narrative this prodigy IS opposed
70 a "cow-puncher' OF 4 more earthly character.
sIulkng rascal named Tran2pas and. as a climax
10 lis adventures. he shoots this ruffan in self
defence. The excellence Of the novel. a sug-
Eest.re Sketch OF Western frontier life. has been
generally appreciated and cordially recognized. In
many particulars the book is perfect photography
but il would be a better work Of art if its story
were not hanpered with trivial opsodes.-in which
case il would be more continuously fluent. more
consecutive and easier TO read,-aud If its heroine
Molly Wood were finer type Of woman: such
woman as might, 10 some extent at least account
1or the absorbing passion that she inspires in a
bust masculine nature In the play practical but
tnexpert use has been made of salient points the
novel not, however including the rich. merry
oevltry OF the Nirginians night Of spiritual contri
ucn and anguish with the pompOus, blatant clerical
ass-a passage that. perhaps. could not be made as
effective the eye Il is TO the mind. theatrical
stress. as might be expected, has been laid or the
oombatlve quality and 5eLigerent aspect OF the
character Of the Nirginian. and the sentimental
theme OF the story. Nothing like the weird atmos-
phere Of the haunted ride through the woods. after
the hanging ot the horse thieves (Which magma
tive touch is the highest and finest attribute Of the
boOk), IS even remotely suggested on the Other
hand a rightfuI prominence has been given to the
exceptionally dramatic circumstances attendant
on the shooting OF TramPas. Here the Nirginian
Is truly heroic, becaUss, while threatened with
sudden death and immrently liable 10 Il, he strenly
Rfthstands the suppcatiol. the censure, the renua
ciatory withdrawal Of the woman whom he aGores.
and thereafter goes directly forward IN what he
feels to be the path Of recttude- It is glowing
Observation-Disclosures this particular 'cow-puncher
Ear above his felovs,--of the old Lovelace couPlet
= could not love thee, dear so much.
Things seen being more obyIous-and more odorIf-
erous-than things heard. the tribe of ''oow-punch-
ers' impaTts more edifCat.on IN the printed mar
raave than Il does on the visible stage. In this
piece however, the boys are mostly, clean
shaver and Rrrayed in ''stOTe-cothes." M-. Dustin
Farnun impersonated the virginiar; Mr.. Frank
TF--r A-T1,@a
Ardeck emerged Molly Wood Neither Of these
characters presents any ditdculty,-in the way Of
clear and cogent represeutation,-for an expert
enced actor Whatever reserve delcacies or sub
tIeries Of temperament, feelings behavior now
appertain to the Virgtnian. drawn in the book.
he IS a straight and level part drawn in
the play, showing himsel: clearly, and moving
directly his object; and II that way Mr.. Farnum
acted him. maintaining a calm firm manner. and
seeming that inveterate. barbaric
purpose should be latent in it,-thOugh this
not made clear. This is an easy thing TO 90, and.
when opposed the mean behavior OF the repul-
sIye Trampas. g compound OF the malicious sneak
the trucUient and yapOring bUlly-a personality
easily exhibited aIso.-it seems nlustrious The
heroine. Molly. Wood, must be self-wiiled, ener-
Eetic capricioUs, a little prone TO play with the
male heart. and. at time capable Of a violent
sutburst Of passionate emotion. meant to express
the conflict between love and fear. ido.atry OF her
hero and natural horror OF peril and murder. Miss
agnes ArGe1k made Molly Wood a tougue-tied
damsel with lisp. and expressed all her emotions
by gasping. Mental agony is cole. Mr.. Farnum
has repose. executive faculty. kindly spirit and
play ful good humor, but ne must wake up II he
expects TO become actor. Feeling, much
repressed becomes, IN effect, stodity. QUietude
forced too Tar is 6ulness. The performance
steadily nonotonous save for q occasional
sumption Of gravity occasional lapse into
playful banter. L Is good for a. actor think
less of his appearance than ot his artistic purpose.
A good performance o. Steve. was given by Mr. Guy
Bates Post. The piece IS rather rough domestic
Tnelo-drama. but at least II aroUses memories OF
Wild and careless days and nights IA boundless.
golden. arid. dreanI-haunted. strange. grim, n
Chanting country, far away cities and fash
.on. ard toly, and care-the freedom that IS in
silent plains. the glory thai IS on the mountain
Yeaks. ". ".
CAST OF THE VIRGINIAN'
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