The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-16
MID LENTEN THEGTRICGLS.
RATHER SPARE FARE IN THE
LOCAL PLAYHOUSES.

epOt-nret HaFte Character and Baby
Pathes In "The Heir 10 HOOrah"
-EAngWtll and the Humorous Jew,
Those Of us who have been inclined to
grlmble at Mr.. Mansfield for spending
30 much Of his time and energy on one part
plays OF dubious OF negative value, and for
trimming even Shakespeare for his in
dividual purposes, had iample occasion
last week TO eat our words-not an expensive
operation, whatever the space rate. The
standing OF Moliere's "Le Misanthrope'
az classic Is no MON 10 DO doubted than
the fact that II affords no spectacular OPP
portunity TO the actor. IL may even be
questioned whether the part OF Ctlfmene
does not overshadow that Of the Misdn-
hrope himself. Yet Mr.. Mansfield pro-
duced the play In It's entirety and roughly
speaking, untampered with, and made no
effort 70 give his part any prominence 1t
did not legitinately deserve.
The result was by far the most interest
ing experience OF week Of rather spare
Lenten fare In the theatres and in fact one
OF the most novel and suggestive Of the
entire season. OF the dramatic vitality
Of the two opening aots-the reading Of
Oronte'S sonnet, and C6iim6ns's brilliant
scene Of the oharacters-we have had
abundant evidence in tho frequency with
which they have been appropriated by
the writer's Of comedy In all lands and ages,
but it was q welcome surprise to find how
little they need the Strengthening Of
their theatrio appeal which lesser drama
lists have been at 70 superadd. They kept
the audience In constant and hearty amuse-
ment. II the succeeding acts had kept
A. H.. Al H..
been popular success Of unusual pro-
portions.
Unfortunately In the main narrative
'The Misanthrope' lie az unskilled as its
characterization in individual scenes Ia
consummate. The situation in which the
rival Marquises show up Celimene in her
true light as the vainest OF double dealing
ooquettes quite missed FIRE for the lack
Of dramatic preparation. One was re-
minded again Of Taine's remark that the
mere farce writer's Of to-day find the catas-
trophe Of half Of Moliere's plays ridiculous,
and that most Of them could improve upon
him In the construction and lhelike presen-
tation Of a story. II there were such a
thing known TO nature as a reverent adapter
II would be interesting 20 have him try his
hand at recasting The Misanthrope' In
the modern technique. Properly con-
structed, the unmasking Of Cthmene should
prove Of sufficient dramatic force to mark a
climax even for such scenes az the famous
onss Of the preceding aots. Mollere's
underlying idea and his presentation Of
character would remain intact: and in a
translation the ticklish matter Of tampering
with Mohore's style lie eliminated. Yet
one trembles 10 think what the academic
critics would say. For rendering a similar
service 20 Shakespeare Richard III
Colley Cibber has been pounded and pelted
for two hundred years-and will no doubt
keep on getting it. And what he did was
prentice work to what IL needed 10 make
lie Misanthrope' Electrically viable on the
modern stage. BIT II the result was 10
rehabilitate the play on the boards, might
not a modest man find compensation
In comparison with the dynamic power
Of most Of Mr. Mansfeld's creations his
Alcsste appeared rather thin and unirn-
pressive; but II the so-called optics Of the
theatre were as flexible as let us say, an
opera glass, l question whether we should
not find that 1t cuts a new notch in the
registry Of his development. Whether, as
was minated in the announcements, he
gave the performance a more vigorous
effect OF comedy than French tradition
permits. cannot say Certainly the
laughter nowhere turned awry the inner
force and significance Of the character,
and, that being true, how can laughter be
arniss in a oomedy1 And what an admira-
bic thing this character isl Rectitude
which will not brook the slightest COM
promise, and which is steadfast even 10
abg1rdity; nobility which scorns the least
touch Of baseness, and which yet springs
from q depth Of passionsl feeling that
places II at the mercy Of the shallowest Of
ooquetry; a love Of what is best in man
which drives him even TO solitary com
munion with his ideals in the unpeopled
wilderness-all this Mansfield denotes with
q spiritual comprehension Of which he has
not heretofore given the slightest evidence
MoHeres own performance Of the part
had TO wait to be recognized at It's true
worth. II will not be surprising II history
repeats itself in the case Of Mr., Mansfield.
Judging by the emotions Of the audience
and my own among them, Paul Arm
stronE'a Heir TO Hoorah' IL more than
likely 10 pull out a success; yet the knowl-
edge Of life and the literary skill it reveals
would do small credit 70 a Choctaw. It's
story IL Of an Eastern girl whose mother
mArTies her 10 a Western miner for his
money and who drives him away from her
because she cannot endure his rough man.
ners-to be reconciled to him in the end
BY the birth Of a child. Whether the wild
and woolly Westerners who abound on the
stage are true 10 life shall not attempt TO
say. II may be suggested, however, that
a pure diamond Of human nature, however
rough, does not insult q guest on the score
Of the clothes be has on, nor hide behind
the curtains for the conscious purpose Of
overhearing q family squabble. As TO the
Eastern aristocrats, mother and daughter,
no doubt Is possible. They bully their
husband and son-in-law in private and In