New-York tribune., 1904-09-15

a
productions. supported by a company of unusual
excellence. A large audience, eager TO welcome the
play and the players, made auspicous the open
ing of the season. In the original cast were con-
spicUous Maurice Barrymore, as Rawdon CrawIey
and Tyrone Power as Lord steyne. The cast of
principals last night follows:
Sir Pitt @ STlviey fsrt ebert fss T serIeaS 25sS
William Dohbn Henry T. Hadhed
Ms94 ssgh das Ss of Ffps aZon ISRgs E4TB6
Boxies -. " + ~ H. 1sr Bransc6rnbe it5 ie
Landlord of Elephant at perpickei otto Meyer
Amelia sediey. Laura NioGilvTay
The Warehouses of steyne. Gregory
Lady Blanche Thistievood Emily stevens
Lady Jane Cravey. Lucy Spencer
S' Mary NaaoerH
Becky Sharp" was at the time of its production
amply reviewed in this column and elsewhere. and
widely discussed Nor is that time far re-
moved from the present to make a rehearsal
of the dramatic story fresh comment on ths\
drama necessary The time is far enough removed.
however cause the complaints OF those who
found in this dramatization of Thackeray's great
novel a something shocking -'sacreligious'' was
sometimes the word-to seem a bit forced and by
the mark. for the drama had IN it enough Of vital
emotional appeal TO prove remarkably popular at
its presenta and Justify its revival after
q lapse Of years, displaying as 1t does several
scenes that are. of course, one small part Of a
which
cally highly effective, and afording 10 an actress
of rare ntelligence. skill and emotional power an
opportunity to display those qualities in char
acter that makes ncessant demand upon them. and
by their successful application enlerges, If not
wholly the Beckv Sharp the novel. yet of the
most brilliant. vivid. many hued characters on the
contemporary stage.
Mrs FIske now, before. marks IN her portray
al OF Becky that keen womans refreshing and
lively intolerance Of stupidity and the SNUG con-
ventions with particular effectiveness never IAN
ing 10 point her scorn and suggest the mental
brIllauce that is ike nothing so much as live
wire. Again, too, she softened the sometimes
brutal insistencs of the drama on the darker sdes
Of the storyfor the drama, by its inevitable choice
Of episode by its necessary brevity and the de-
nands of the stage is bound sacrifice the lights
OF sweetly pictured daily existence OF kindly com
Tnent and amia bly, jogging narrative which IN the
book go far 70 balance the shadows-by al
leyiatng the caIlousness and hippancy OF Becky
character as lar as possible with her emphasis on
Reckys I'll treatment in youth her Inherent In
ability avoid choice of evil which con-
stituted for Becky her self-Justhcation, far as
had any In tho fourth. the last act. too, Mrs.
Fiske raageyd easily to comedy. 10 demure hy-
pocrisy. and departed hypccrtte the iast giving
that Anal act. by many thought quite super
huous, the touch that causes II To recall Thaok-
eray's own delicious words, written IN letter, as
10 the fate OF Becky. that she 'ts conspicuous
for her numerous charities, that always get into
the papers. and for her unaffected piety." Surely
an act that does this IS not wholly work or
supererogatIon. were its comedy not so kee
yes and pathet!c-
But the great scene Of the drama IS ot course
the climax Of the third act. when Becky Is sur
pr1ssd by Rawdon with her infatuated, elderly.
prospective paramour 10 whom she has just bar
gained TO surrender. sordidly and IN cold blood.
what her sisters hold most sacred. was n this
that Nj barrymore. as Ravsdon Crawlev. and
Mr. Power. Lord Steyue. IN the original produc-
ton worked with Mrs. Fiska 20 create "A moment
memorable for its power and profound emotional
effect And II IN this scsre last night that
M Arliss and Mr. Mason were most intei.tly OBJ
served. And more. IN their hands the scene
gripped and held the audience. stirred pity and
horror and a hundred consequent emotions each
behoIders heart best knew tho nature OK. John
Mason, hitherto In the play. partially perhaps
from a quite natural desire get away from d.
rect comparison with Mr. Barrymore suggesting
but little the great. robust. s~aSgering guards
and rather strongly a soft. amiable,
stupid fellow whose love deep
convtncnzly tender. in this scene stepped into the
picture with compelling force. Mr.. Arlss from
the moment OF his first entrance on the ballroom
stairs having dominated the mind OF the sensitive
beholder. cleaned the lust and hate Of a man who
almost devil. And Mrs FisSe quiverlng
pathetic. yet not ptlab' speaking strongly in
nervous sentences the sa--. words over and over.
moved between the two heIpessness till
both gone and then sank shattered on the
floor Indeed, could the mind at such moment
have resisted the emotions. one would have reazed
that in that scene he was witnessing hawless
hhition Of the high powers OF acting by three play
ers working in perfect harmony and guided by a
rare intelligence,
Mr.. Arss throughout the two acts In which he
appears. indeed worthy of the highest praise
In a makeup copied with wonderful fidelity from
Thackerav's drawing Of Lord Steyue made for the
first edition Of Vanity Fair" and suppressed
thereafter because OF its resemblance to the Mar
quis Of Hcrtford his first entrance at tho head OF
the stairs was accomplished with ease which
set him down once IN some subtle fashion as a
man OF commanding force and with curious, pale
smile that sent instructive shver down ones
spine and marked him d thing of utter evil And
with the harest employment or the resources
of voice and gesture. with the least possible
Of effort he maintained this impression
an impression merely until he was alone with
Becky and Rawdon he thought. q prisoner.
Then his lust cleaned out. II never blazed from
his crafty face. but cleaned dreadfully, and the
stood revealed, It subtle and as fine
exhib.4on Of the art Of acting as meets one
in long day.
The scenic nvestura OF the play that OF the
first production, and the the minor parts were,
VIII a exceptions adequately PLAYED.