New-York tribune., 1904-09-19
NOTES OF THE STAGE.
Mr. Kelcey in "Taps"-French Plays at the
American.

1t is odd how rigid adherence to accuracy Of
detail IN a dramatic performances may sometimes
lessen the emotional appeal OF the play. For ex-
ample In Taps" shown on Saturday night at the
Lyric Theatre both in the second and last acts the
notes or a bUgle OF stage sounding the good night
call break in the silence, TO increase the e1ec-
I4venesS and suggestion Of the situation. But at
the Lyric Theatre expectant audience heard not
tue taps they knew-the beautiful sweet call which
comes so plaintively through the night-but an
alien arrangement Of tho bugle's limited notes.
doubtless fraught with the same suggestiveness TO
the German, but not nearly so effective here. II
IS pretty question whether the stage manager Of
Taps" would not be justified in sacrificing ae-
curacy to sentiment
This same performance Of Taps served to show
herbert helcey in q new gulse-new, at least, to
tne later generation Of theatregoers-that Of a
character actor. And Vokhardt the old ser
geant major. Mr. Kelcey had a chance TO dis
tlnguish himself in his guIse Unfortunately
both for himself and the effectiveness of the drama
centrIns as 1t does about the grizzIed old soldier
lie cannot De said entirely TO have succeeded His
conception OF this part seemed Unopen to criticism
MS Intelligent grasp OF each situation as it arose
was unfailing, and yet he did not succeed He
never buIked large In the picture never overtopped
the subordinate characters interest as he should
have done; and in the grim and horrid final scene
he left his audience cold when Herr Bonn. at the
Irving Place. made them gasp with almost a physi-
cal terror. Why did Mr.. Kecey fan9 PERHAPS #
Is as easy TO answer why the rose is sweet or the
sunset solemn. Why does George Arl!ss as Lord
Steyne In Becky Sharp thrill his audience at his
first entrance, before he has spoken word? Is it
not that this power of charactsr-projectio this
ability 10 kindIe the tngIe of reality in the be-
holder, is like the gift OF song, birth-bOon? Yet
It must not be forgotten that the older school of
actors possessed it far greater extent than the
actors of to-day; that the humble members
OF the German repertory companies often possess
II 70 remarkable degree. EvlueuJly, IL q boon,
a boon winch may be increased VITA the proper
diverse Characters for its best development.
The American Theatre has been leased by
Frenchman for one month. beginning on October
10. and that date he Will produce. with a COM
pany OF players from France. some OF the great
French meIodramatIc successes Of the last century
The plays Will be given in the original tongue,
though why Eighth-ave. should be selected for an
experiment Of this kind is Little hard see- lie
BossU," La Tour de Nesle" Martyr and Marie
jeanne are among the dramas scheduled for pre-
5entation. while comedies Of Moliere Meilhac and
Ila!eE!, @a1iche ana dumas Ms are tlSo on tne
list Nine. Renot. who played the leading part IN
the production of Zoa's 'L'AssOmmOir will be
Noe leading woman OF the company and Jean Dulao
Mr., Mansfield made tr1D to town yesterday.
beginning preparations for his season. which will
not begin until the latter part OF october. He
VIII ~ drst present Ivan the Terrible on the
road saving his productions until he comes
he does not disclose, merely stating that one Of
them Will be OF drama centrtng about a great
historic character and the other about fictitious
personaEe who nevertheless moves amid great
events and passions.
Camparari the barytone. reached town yester-
day after a summer spent IN the Adirondacks.
lie and his family we're neighbors there OF Victor
Herbert and NJ Camcanari referred all bis hsh
stories the composer for veriacation he brought
back many trophies. including deeT heads ana
tennis clU. which. he said. nc won dressed IN
frock coat high hat and kid gloves. his opponent
vas so eaSy. But why should anybody take
srock coat 10 an Adirondack camp? NJ Campanari
Will rot sirg az the Opera House this season. but
will 20 out az the head of a concert company 1or
"A tour OF the country
The Isle OF Spice" furnished with more pepper
BY Fred Rankin physician all SICK musical
comedy ub-ettos. VIII be shown in revised form
AZ fhe Majestic Theatre tonight It's three acts
have been cut 20 twO and new SONGS introduced