New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-27
LONDON DRAMA.
Il R6uersion to the Play Nth a Pur-
pose-NoUelties at Various Theatres.
London. March Is.

convinced that London playgoers wished 20 be
amused. so that they could forget for even
Ing the anxieties OF business and the distrac-
lions OF life. At the end Of six months they are
equally emphatic in declaring that theatregoers
take their pleasures sadly and Insist upon hav-
ing some didactc teaching. During the interval
THE Walls Of Jericho" at the Garrick Theatre.
has drawn month after month crowded houses.
successfully rivalIing amusing a farce as Mr..
Jacobs's Beauty and the Barge" and Mr.. Bar
rie's comedy Of childlike topsyturvydom. Peter
Pam; and apart from it's satire as a comedy OF
manners. Il has moral purpose. and is Wig
orous sermon. directed against the foibles OF
smart society. 1t would be. however. a rash in
ference to conclude from the success OF this play
that the public is weary OF inane farce and con-
ventionaI melodrsma and has reverted to d.
dactic plays. Mr.. Sutro himself laughs at the
idea that THE Walls OF Jericho IS sermon
ette and promises his friends that the new play
which he is writing for Mr.. Bourchier viii be
something quite different and more dramatic
What is perhaps more significant than the draw
ing power of this single drama is the decline OF
musical comedy. There is no lack OF It at the
theatres. but the programmes now have TO bs
changed more frequently and there Is less money
to be made out OF frothy entertainments with
musical 1ngles and topical songs. Experienced
observers like Mr.. George Edwardes have been
forecasting for many weeks public revolt
against musical comedy and the signs are null
tiplied that more earnest drama Is wanted Good
drama. Of course. cannot be distinctly didactic;
but the playwrights will do better work II they
more sincere and earnest. and apparently
this is what audiences wish them to be.
Radical changes cannot be effected ar a mo-
nent's notice. Theatre seasons have TO bs
planned long time in advance and contracts
for the production OF plays must be carried out,
even II managers suspect that the wind OF popu-
lar favor has shifted and Is blowing from an
other quarter. The new comedy by Mr.. Barrie
at the Duke OF Yors's Theatre will be due az
the end or the month, and 1t Is expected with
keen interest, since 1t will Introduce Miss Ellen
Terry the mother OF a grown-up family, with
Miss Irene Vanbrugh. Miss Hilda Trevelyan and
Mr.. Aubrey Smith in the cast AS Mr.. Barrie Is
a law unto himself and neither sets nor follows
styles as a playwright, this is likely to be an
other illustration OF his whimsical comic spirit
Mr. Alexander viii reappear at the St Jamess
Theatre in "John Chilcote. NJ. Pa" as soon as
'MoIlntrave on Women ceases to draw audi
ences and this event may not be deferred many
weeks. for. while the philosopher OF love delights
the stalls. his humor is above the heads OF pit
and galleries. From America Mr.. Charles Nc
LeIan's Leah Kleschna" Is to be imported by
Mr. Frohman. with Miss Lena Ashwen in Mrs.
Fiske's part and possibly Sir Charles Wynd-
ham may appear with her at the New Theatre.
Mr. Forbes Robertson's return to London Is also
announced In Mr.. Esmond's Love and the
Man" Mr.. Ohio Stuart has succeeded in re-
storing the prestige of the Adelphi Theatre BY
remarkably successful production OF Tanning
of the Shrew" and Hamlet" with MIR. II. B. r.
wing In his fathers great part and with a swarm
OF Bensonians supporting him. Is to be the next
Shakespearian revival Sir Henry Irving IS con-
valescing rapidly, and his season at Drury Lane
is confidently expected
Mr. Trees production OF Mrs. Humphry
Wards Agatha" for a few "repertory perform
ances' at His Majesty's Theatre may be re-
garded as a paternal privilege rather than an
artistic function. II has enabled him TO bring
out his daughter Miss Viola Tree. In
bilious part, in which she could show what she
could do as an actress OF temperament In this
respect the play has been quite successful. Miss
Tree has played the part with marked individ-
uality Of style. genuine power and fine variety.
To the charms Of youth and beauty she has
added an extremely sensitive representation OF
character. byplay almost as ingenious and nat
ural as her fathers and some intense emotional
moments. notably that IN which she snatches
the flowers from her lovers hands and carries
them away with the exclamation that she loves
him but cannot marry him. AS this disagreeabls
play has been produced in America. 1t is IN
necessary to outline the plot. 1t is a thoroughly
morbid drama, with a series OF revolving pas
sages which cause disgust at the moment and
righteous indignation when they are recalled
If earnest drama is wanted by London audi
ences some of the keenest observers Of cor
rect drama maintain. it IS to be hoped that
Agatha will be warning signal rather than
guidepost. Apart from exceedingly
pleasant plot. the literary style OF the play Is
seriously at fault. Mrs. Ward has not mastered
the art Of stage conversation. which is quite
like the dialogue Of written fiction. Mr.. Tree
People at one OF these weekly repertory per-
Ado About Nothing he will revive "A Mans
est impersonatiOns of character. Mr.. Tree Is
also planning for April series OF seven Shake
spearian representations.
At the Haymarket Theatre Mr. Cyril Mauds
is now giving fine study OF senIlity in the
Polichinelle play. "Everybody's Secret This Is
a comedian who is constantly changing his style
and seldom reminds audiences OF previous i'm
presentations Of character when he takes up a
new part. Not only is the makeup so ingenious
as 10 give freshness and individuality TO the
part of Sir Michael Parkes. but also the car
riage of the body, the movement OF the hands,
the information OF the voice and the byplay OF
facial expressions are varied so as to differ
entiate the performances from his work In other
dramas. Mr.. Maude, not content as some CO.
medians are with being himself in everything he
does. seems TO efface himself when he is studying
new character. invents byplay and peculiari-
ties OF manner TO suit II and finds in versatility
a resource for freshening and broadening his
stage work. For this reason he is always de-