New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-28
THE DRAMA.
MANSFIELD IN COMEDY.
"a Partisan Romance"


that they bear could be accepted truthful and
final. the unavoidable inference would be that the
French people dwell perpetually in state of social
corruption. Nothing could be further from the
truth. and therefore it is unjust and deploraole
that Misrepresentation of that people should be
scattered broadcast throughout the theatres OF
America, they have been for the last nifty years
Evil things there are in France. and EVIL plays
have been made about them by French writer's
and. as some OF these evil plays clever, ana
brilliant 1t IS to some extent, by Frehch
talent. and not by foreign talent that defamatory
views of French society have been established as
a matter OF course, in the minds OF thousands Oh
people, all over this land 1t is not an exaggera-
ton to say that. in the present condition OF the
public mind, the mention of a new french
play instantly suggests another story of aniorous
intrigue matrimonial complication. incontinence'
depravity and shame.
Among the obnoxious and mischievous French
plays of the past twenty-five years the COMEDY
called "A Partisan Romance is prominent 1t was
first produced in New-York January TO- 1888. at
the Union Square Theatre. under A NJ Palners
management, and Mr.. Mansfield. acting Baron
ChevriaI then made a Respondent success in IT,
and at once disclosed himself as actor of au-
thentic genius and prodigious power. NO spectator
who present that night can ever forget the
thrill of wonder and admiration that startled the
auxliar actors in the play and electrified the au-
dience Mr. Mansfeld's acting was a revelation.
His renown dates from that performance 1t is
great renown now. and it has been augmented and
justified by many greater and better achievements
but perhaps it might have been delayed ana OF
slower growth but for that extraordinary inlper-
sonation Yet the character of Chevrial is I'M
speakably odous; the play in which he hgures Is
distinctly repulsive and the whole subject Is pro-
ductive only of nausea and disgust That was the
impression impaired by the first performance OF
a Partisan Romance" more than twenty years
ago. and that is the impression impaired by the
performance given last night at the New-Amster-
dam Theatre, where this comedy was acted before
sxrad with
applause.
Such creatures as the Baron Chevrial exist, but
so do cobras and crocodiles. The fact that thing
exists is not a sufficient reason why 1t should be
shown in a work of art. Analysis of Chevrial is
analysis of disease The probing of moral ulcers
may enable the social moralst to portray depravity
and reinforce invective against vice. but dissee-
ton of disease whether OF the body the soul. Is
not the rightful province of any form OF art The
stage, which deals with actual things and directly
addresses the senses of sight and hearing. ought
especially be protected from this contamination
The principle that favors obtrusion Of mOnstrosites
on the stage is radically wrong. The theatre Is
exercising vast influence the people and un-
less it is conducted that the people derive ben
eft it,-meaning thereby nobility. beauty, re
fnement, and strength-the theatre is curse, and
blessing. No good has been derived by
anybody from such plays "a Partisan Romance
or from such terrible spectacles of lewdness and
vilany as are typified by Mr.. Mansfed's perform
of Chevrial. Mr. Manshelds study of this
human reptile has been deep and thorough and
his embodiment of him is wonderful In its fidelity
to truth but it is shocking in all that conmuni-
Gates the mind. Chevrial denotes no conflict be-
tween good and evil He is only a type OF wicked
ness-a specimen of moral fungus. He typifes self
shness. cruelty rapacity RIGHTEOUSNESS. corruption.
HIS character possesses only respectable traits
honesty and courage he retoices in being SEN
suast. and ne dehes all consequences even the
approach OF death. He is a consummate image of
total depravity,-material bIasphemous, and op-
-,
OF the bestal animal passions; as void conscience
he is of pity any shred of tender human feel
ing. Living for sensual enjoyment he has become
physical wreck. His vile animal desires remain
rampant, but his body is debilitated with ncipent
dsease' and he waivers on the verge Of paralysis.
He is shown to be occupied in a willy unscrupuIous
revolving endeavor TO undermine the chastity of a
weak and foolish woman whom his loathsome
persecution. aided by her own vanity drives 70
lnfany and ruin: and then he is shown the con-
vused. struggling. gasping, sufYocating and alto
gether horrible victim OF sudden stroke Of
apoplexy, which comes upon him when he
is presiding at banquet, surrounded with
male sycophants and frivolous ballet girls A
grim hurnor of sardonc Observation-Disclosures
well expressed by Mr.. Mansheld,-is suffused
throughout the character; and so It stands forth
IN a lur1d light of hellish briliancy. the incarna-
ton Of hooking sensuaIism-the most dangerous
and insidious form of all the many forms that evil
assumes for the ruinous conquest Of the human
soul
Mr.. Mansfelds great dramatic genius has invest
ed this ideal with terrible vitality The thing
self is dreadful, but the art of it is superb. No
dramatic figure could be distinct or more
infinitely and carefully misunderstanding as II
does, into perfect symmetry. vgilant intelligence;
cold cruel. watchful. sinister perception; swift
malevolent craft; absolute self-command; and ex-
ultant wickedness The artistic elements are
especially fine: the hard, bad voice; the clutching
movements of the hands as II they were the claws
Of vuture; the lines of formidable character
mingled with the wrinkles OF disease and premature
in the furrowed, wicked countenance; the thin
hair; the pervasive tone OF physical infrmity, not
yet clearly disclosed; the stealthy movement in
tensihed TO snaky menace by the baleful repose
that is characteristic of selfconscious evil the de-
meanor OF distinction and authority: and the
beautiful precision of incisive speech at moments
when a vocal infection becomes the far-reaching
eloquence Of perfect art. Our theatre does not at
this time possess figure more absolutely brilliant
than Mr. Manshelds Chevral. or one whose alb
sence would be less regretted by all persons who
honor the stage W. W.
CAST OF "A PARTISAN ROMANCE"
Henri de THrgy. Kenyon
Dr Chesnell Morton Seen
ch MGuEA