The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-01
AT THE THEATER

The much discussed morality of a
play like Iris" becomes a matter OF
secondary interest before the deep and
genuine emotion it awakens when pre-
sented by an actress of such great
emotional power as Miss Virginia
Harmed, who was seen in the title role
last night, supported by a company OF
unusual ability. The delicate art OF
Pinero, which suggests a situation, an
entire story, by mere word or
phrase, saves this drama, as it does
his other plays, from ever touching
openly on grossness, and finds its best
Interpretation in the equally delicate
art of Miss Harmed, whose acting
especially under the stress of feeling,
is wonderfully true. She makes the
part seem herself, and introduces a
hundred touches of movement or ex-
preston that are subtle and convinc-
ing. Not her least gift is wonder
lulIy mobile face, in which every
change of feeling is mirrored.
OF the play itself, it may be said.
most inadequately, that it shows a
page of human life, happy in its open
ing' terribly tragic in its ending: the
love and kindness of ones neighbors,
AiItACB iiAOSL WIIllV, or their
malice; the weakness of women and
the strength, or harshness, of men:
ana the worlds view of things in
general.
one OF the cleverest, wittiest, and
nnest roles in the play is that of
croker Harrington, and this could not
nave been better done than by Mr.. ].
hartley Manners, whose admiral bile
polse, quiet and deliberate address.
winch was yet delightfully."- humorous,
ana absolute naturalness, all COM
inanueu Iavor' In his few emotional
moments he was equally good. Ouite
unintentionally he brought down the
mouse with laughter, and prolonged
applause interrupted the course of the
pray Tor some moments, when. renlv-
ing 10 some query of a certain charac-
Ter, he said, He was last seen aft fine
theater, criticising the music in the
entr actes." In the absence of the or
chestra, gramophone had been made
10 90 service for the occasion last
hight. The apparent connection he
tMeeh the remark and the circum-
stance was too much for the humor of
the audience. "a
Henry Jewett made a powerful NAL
donado, a role difficult and rather ex-
dsserated. William Courtenay was
seen as the lover, Trenwith, and suit-
ed the part admirably. A particularly
charming role was that of Aurea nv
Miss Margaret Gordon.
Inc chief unfayorable criticism that
might be made of Miss Harned's nro.
uuctlon OF Iris" is the inferiority OF
ene stage setting, which in this day al
eIdporate production, was noticeable
While the last two scenes were prettI
enough, the first was distinctly dis.
appointing and started the plav of
badly. Red shades on the sconces
PINK shades on the lamps, blue courI
covers, and faded yellow dranerie
rather annoyed ones sense of har
mony, and there was something de
cldedly disconcerting about a firenIac
whose chimney evidently did no
exist. But In production so interest
ins ma ana clever such details could b,
manager Seeskind will present at .
matinee, and night performances ~,
DAY, Miss Roselle Knott in tryVbay
Nnlghthood Was in Flower" as Men
Years offering. A list of great neer'
ages who fiourished during the openine
years OF the sixteenth century and J
series OF pictures of places famed ir
the reign of Henry VIII, form ths
background for the love story of Prin-
CSso Wal uuOI ana CHARLES Bran
don, which Paul Kester has wrought
into five act play. from Charles Ma
Jor's famous novel, when Knighthood
was in Flower" The personages in
clude King Henry himself, His Emil
hence, the Cardinal Wolsey, the Duke
of buckingham, Queen Catherine OF
Aragon, Anne Boleyn. Jane Seymour,
Louise de Vallois, the Duke de Tongue
vile, Francis ]. and retinue of minor
people, who fit across the pages of six
teenth century history. 1t is this ar
ray of notables whom Rose1le Knott.
as Mary Tudor. brow beasts, defies or
captivates, as may happen to suit her
ever-changing moods. Miss Knott
comes with high Endorsement and the
management assures a New Years Of
fering, which theater- goers will enjoy.
Peruchi and Company will begin a
weeks engagement, Monday night, pre-
senting the comedy drama. "A South
ern Rose" Ladies will be admitted
free with every paid 30c ticket. Spe-
cial matinee on Wednesday and Satur-
days. Seats are now on sale, at 10,
on o0a