New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-12
LONDON DRAMA.
The Masters RetmR-4 Good
Story Badly Dramatized.
London, May ?.

tain rose lJpou grim visaged Becker, seated at
chess with Henry II. Other audiences had
cheered themselves hoarse when he had reap
peared On the stage for a new season; but this
one forgot itself in delirium Of JOY and gratI-
tude. and proclaimed his sovereignty over Eng
Iish hearts. Twice he rose and bowed. but the
cheering rose and surged in stalls, pit and gal
leries in a mad revel of enthusiasm, the vast
audience being unwilling 10 have the play go on
until il had exhausted its energies in tumultuous
confession that Il was in the presence or great
ness. At the end Of every act this demonstra-
tion Of affection and honor was repeated WIN
unabated ardor and at the close Of the evening,
when the king among actors had thanked his
subjects with unaffected simplicity for well
come that .robs one Of words but fills the heart
with cherished memories they again forgot
themselves in q fine frenzy of homage. waving
handkerchiefs, brandshing opera glasses and
umbrellas and raising their voices in transports
Of devotion and loyalty Never have seen IN
any. theatre so stupendous a tribute 10 an &C
tors power and character; and it was earned
not only by lifetime devoted to the highest
interests Of dramatic art. but also by perform
ance of masterful power and epical dignity.
While he had been absent in America and in
the provinces the London stage has been trun-
ding along in the old grooves and the players OF
the day had been making their entrances and
exits but here last the master of unique
genius imagination and stagecraft, returning 10
his kingdom and restoring the noblest traditions
of the art of acting
Lord Tennyson's Beckett even when re-
arranged and condensed with judgment and
skill is not a great play; but it has magniff-
cent scene with powerful dramatic motive
that in which the archbishop sternly refuses to
seal the constitution and dehes Infatuated
mob Of courtiers. prelates and mobiles; and the
climax Of a series of pathetic scenes. clouded
with forebodng Of impending doom, is rounded
out with assassination and martyrdom. 1t sup
plies Sir Henry Irving with impersonatfon at
once picturesque and imaginative, in which he
seems 10 lose his nannerisms and almost his
identity, and to become grand, heroic figure
of medieval times. Beckett is not only one Of
bis most Impressive parts but it is also peculiar
Iy well adapted for his closing years Of stage
work when a younger generation of playgoers is
to be convinced of his greatness an actor. Less
subtle than either his Louis XI or his Shylock.
* has superior consistency and realism as an
lmpersonation of noble, heroic character. The
gestures are strong and eloquent; the play Of
facial expression is unceasing. and every move
nent Of body and every tone OF voice is Sig
nifcant and true; and even when ne IS silent
ard rnotionIess as when he stands aside while
the King and Queen are talking about the game
Of chess. and looks over the parapet at the dis
tant landscape, brooding meditatively over the
mysteries OF the future, his personality is as
strongly felt as when he is facing fearlessly his
assassins. From beginning to end the ascetic
figure dominates the stage and fascinates the
audience with the glamour Of intellectual pre-
esninence and spiritual exaltation. The pale
face. lined with suffering, softens with tender
ness ana affection when fair Rosamund seeks
protection and the weak and frail need a cham
pion: but otherwise the masterful prelate stands
apart in solitary dignity, lightly observing what
d IS going around him and preoccUpied with
ID the spiritual influences of another world. The
words come perhaps more slowly than in the
old days, but the voice is clearer and more
resonant; and the part is played with more dis
tinction than ever before. because the sense of
detachment and aloofness from all around him
has increased. Never has the great actor seemed
so high above men of his craft on this
opening night at Drury Lane when with flash
ing eyes and impressive gesture he repeated this
profession Of faith:
Clothed with the full authority Eoo Of Ro @Ha
Mailed in the perfect panoply OF faith.
For God. to people heaven in the great day
When God makes UP His jewels
The stage production of Mrs Thurston's John
Chilcote' at the St. James's Theatre has been
attended with exceptional difficulty. The story
involves so close a resemblance between two
men-Chilcote the member of Parliament, ad-
dicted TO opium, and Loder, the struggling,
ambitious journalist-that one can take the
place OF the other. fill social engagements, make
speeches in the Commons and not be detected
even by the private secretary, the servants or
the wife. The likeness Of the two can
only be properly presented when the actor Mr.
Alexander, plays alternately both parts; and then
81 is necessary for him 10 differentiate them in
character and manner that the audience
know who is who, and IL is also Indispensable
that double shall be supplied for two scenes
where the two are together The actor does his
work with exceptional skill and he has found
in Mr. " ]. Thorold satisfactory double for
two scenes but the authors husband, Mr.
Temple Thurston, has not succeeded in drama
tizing the story so effectively as TO make
Vorkmanlike, consistent play. which be
followed without confusion of mind. The story
is told in seven scenes. 1t opens in the journal
lists rooms at Clifford's Inn, where Loder gives
a friend account, under assumed names. Of
the opium slaves proposal for an exchange of
parts; and the scene closes with the appearance
OF Chilcote and the acceptance of the offer.
The second scene reveals the true Chilcote un-
nerved. irritable and exctabe, talking faml-
iarly with Lady Astrupp, repulsing his wife
and making preparations for a temporary exit:
and when he has gone out the sham Chilcote
comes in timorously, and. gaining confidence
as he proceeds with his imposture ends by de-
ceiving the secretaries. the servants and the
wife. In the next act Loder appears with Mrs
Chilcote at ball, is recognized as the member
OF Parliament by political and smart friends,
but narrowly escapes detection by Lady As
trupp, q palulist and crystal gazer who forces
him 10 take of his rings and TO disclose scar
e on his finger. In the third act there is a con-
tinuation Of the detective story. Lady Astrupp
convincing herself in a fine scene that he is