New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-01
The PAST WEEK.
The NesC-York Public Is Going to
Jericho.

J6T3ChO.
IL Is always pleasant when the effort is in
eny measure worthy to record its success; so It is
pleasant now to note that the Savoy Theatre
has been filed at every performance Of THE
Walls of Jericho" since the production Of that
play last Monday. Mr.. and Mrs Hackett
have not been particularly fortunate in re-
cent seasons in their separate ventures That
their first venture together should succeed Is a
kindly turn OF fate Possibly the fact that in
their sont venture they are going it alone" are
not backed by any firm Of theatrical managers
with unlimited resources, accounts for the
fiunsy and tawdry scenery provided in "TheWalls
of Jericho and for the mediocre players in the
minor parts II 60 success will be the more
welcome, as It will insure a more satisfactory
production when they try a new play. Substan-
tial interiors real elegance of furnishing when
the homes of the rich are depicted, the solidity
of reality have come TO be so common on the
stage that their absence is instantly noted by
an audience as an affront, much as bad acting
would be The present setting Of Mr.. Sutro's
play is undoubtedly a handicap, as is most Of
the work Of the minor characters. 1t is trib-
ute to the vitality and interest Of his drama that
IL has filed the theatre despite these~obstacles.
For THE Walls of Jericho" is interesting,
virile In London it was taken with tremendous
seriousness as a tract against the London
'snart set" On a second hearing. Of the play
last week the impression grew that Mr. Sutro
himself probably regarded it, that he, too,
was tremendously IN earnest This was hardly
the impression Of the first night, but it is likely
to be the final one. It is impossible otherwise
TO account for the atmosphere OF sincerity
which the play carries-carries in spite of its
technical crudities. its jerky progression by
means of dialogues. ending in the climax Of the
third act with a monoIogue. its palpable mo-
rnents Of melodran1a, its aged expedents OF
bringing its pure noble heroes from distant
points as If fresh air existed only in Australia
Sincerity often makes its way through every
thing; It always gives charm no art can sim
uiate, and It usually meets its reward in public
recognition. 1t is the vital force in literature.
So one is forced TO believe that Mr.. Sutro felt
the prophets mantle about his shoulders when
ne wrote his play.
However the London smart set is a very
small corner OF a very big world: it is not the
whole of the British Isles, nor even Of London.
Jack Frobisher need not have come from Austria
liza to afford a contrast nor dragged the Lady
Alethea back 10 Australia to escape from pollu-
ton. It would not have been SO conventionally
easy. perhaps, to make Frobisher less hero Of
paper covered romance and more a living Eng
Ishnan, perplexed, Mr.. Sutro was perplexed
by the problems of his native land. Nor would
4 his outburst OF denunciation have been unre-
strained. so obviously effective Electrically
when he finally shattered the walls of Jericho
with his shout. But the play would have been
more worth while as a tract. as a record Of
English conditions as Mr.. Sutro sees them, even.
TO the more thoughtful beholder. as pure drama.
However, the play stands, here in America
st viii not be regarded a tract, or it would
fail doubtless justly enough. We've smart
.set" Of our own that keeps US pretty busy
watching, anyhow; and secondhand represen-
tations OF little corner of London cannot great
iy interest US. It is-to us-uninportant. after
alI what vapid, rather silly than sinful Great
ures dol Even at home they probably harm
nobody but themselves, and that's their look
out What is important to is how one wife
and one husband react-"any wife to any hus-
band" as Browning phrased it in title. Mr.
Sutro's sincerity has the effect Of making real
for us the acts and passions Of his two leading
figures, and that is as much as need to ask
We believe that Frobisher was in earnest when
ne expressed his scorn and contempt of his wife's
set, that his wife was acting on a perfectly
natural impulse when she refused TO abandon
her set. when she found interest and amusement
sn their mode OF life. Of course. with Miss
Mannering playing the part, it is impossible not
To soeIfeye that the wife at heart was sweet and
Sound. So much has Mr.. Sutro done. Il re-
xaaf,led for Mr.. Hackett to play with directness
SIMPLICITY and sincerity. to fill out the character
Of F-obisher along lines definitely laid down
waking him as little Of a prg. as nkable az
T,ogsitIe only not falling TO suggest that he was
cot by birth or nature one Of the set he moved
among This the actor did. and did very we'll
Tye was freer than ever before from affectations
erid eeIf-cousciousness, more straightforward.
AIS task Il must be admitted. was easier than
his wife'e It was Miss Mannering who had 10
suggest slow change in character. who had to
be the idle coQuette amused by irritation the
indignant wife when the Irritation went too TAR,
the reSellious wife waen her husband sought to
exercise his will over hers. so long USED TO
command: finally, the penitent wife and mother.
Eeeing at last the superior worth OF her nus
bands point OF view, the shaIlOwenss Of her old
life. And Miss Mannerfng. with technical equip
1nent better than her husbands. was yet less
successful In completely rounding out her part.
The early notes7 of shallowness, self-wil. CO.
Quetry, a little forced. 1t was rather Mr..
Eutro's sincerity than her complete realization
OF the character that carried her through to the
climax.
It is in this climax, when Frobisher hurIs his
defiant shout at the walls OF Jericho, when he
flames out his wife with the brutal cry.
Are you my wife you my mistress? p
that the popular appeal of the play Will finally
rest Somewhat highly colored as this climax
may be conceded 70 be, It is a sincere outcome
CT the play; IL is virile, inpassioned. For the
second time this season, then the presentment
OF strong emotion, Of vital passions on the
stage has brought the audience into the theatre
70 enjoy, to applaud. 1t is hopeful sign of the