New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-27
NOTES OF THE STAGE.
Mr.. Huneker's "Iconoolasts. a Book OF
Dramatists."
Warren ST.

OTdUldGlSGSs
Last fall James Huneker was asked how he occu-
pied his time since his desertion from the ranks of
what he himself has called the chain gang.
I'm writing book about the drama Mr.. Hume
ker replied.
Americana was the query.
II said about the drama" Mr.. Hunekers
aconic reply.
It is no surprise then to find this book called
"Tconoclasts Book of Dramatists." published by
Charles Scrtbner's Sons dealing almost entirely
with the Continental drama, nor, recalling MI
Huneker's other books. to find it treating Of such
plays and playwrignts would most irritably
offend Max Nordau Mr. Huneker. while he was
recently dramatic critic OF The Sun spent por-
lions Of each visiting the theatres of Eng
land. France. Norway, Germany and Vienna His
linguistic culture and his facilities for personal en-
counter with the dramatsts themselves enabled him
to gather much material of interest aside from
routine criticism and the articles he then wrote
had more than ephemeraI newspaper interest
The bulk of the present volume is an enlargement
and sitting of those articles Much critical writ
ing Of value has undoubtedly been lost in this
ss m sa aune5er has set himself the audaSls
form between the covers of book
The chapter heads of Mr. Huneker's volume indi-
cate clearly enough its subject matter. They
are Henrik Ibsen." August strindberg," Henry
Becque," "Gerhart Hauptmann.' Paul Hervieu."
The Quintessence of Shaw" Maxim Gorkys
Nachtasyl,' " Hermann Sudermann.' Princess
MdthlldeS Play, "DuSe and D'AnnunziO' 'NIierS
de lIsle Adam and "Maurise Maeterlinck" OBJ
viously. in this list of titles which seen to in
Guide but writer of the English tongue. is little
that the man of culture in this generation has not
at Least a smattering knowledge of. One does not
look to Mr. Huneker for photography. nor IT must
be confessed. for that sort of criticism which is
horn of fnality of conviction. F'nality of con-
vfction would be the very thing Mr.. Huneker would
repudiate himself. and cite quotations from a dozen
writer's to back him up. Save for the final convic-
viction-that these dramatists he writes about are
distinctly worth while he does not urge n creed.
though he may seem to do up definite
standard of values. Ibsen, in his letters. that
freedom wasn't of any value, Only the struggle
for it mattered. So gets the impression from
'IConoclasts'' that not what these men are smash
ing, nor what they going to put up in place
Of the old idols. greatly interests the author but
the process of demolition is a joy to his heart.
AS reference work perhaps apologies are In order
to Mr.. Huneker for of that termD '1conoclasts'
will not be found Of much value then. But in it's
vivid impressions of recent plays yet unseen in
America and some not so recent, it's personal and
intimate sketches of authors unfamiliar here in its
preservation of documents such the letter from
Mr.. Shaw concerning the meaning of Candida
felicity Of phrase and OF characteristic hamor and
IN MI, Its fresh revelation Of that most interesting
works OF art "lconoclasts' will be welcomed even
drama
the aid Of the various mouthpieces he assumes at
will, of the ideas of Nietzsche. Wagner, Ibsen and
s1rndDerg fairly dazzes someb9dy is going 10
Huneker," for his work is still marred by his
The French play to be given next Friday and
Saturday at the Carnegie Lycepm chiefly by
French residents. is produced primarily to interest
the French quarter around Jones-st in the Set
Element work of Greenwich House The drama is
felt TO be the sures way of reaching these people,
Huan.'' the play selected has already served that
purpose This d 1 has its scene on the German
preaohment of the doctrines of Tolstoy.
If any reader of this column has written to Miss
Ellis Jeffreys for her autograph-many persons
said to have done so-he has doubtless re-
ceived In reply card announcing that small con-
t[louIon i9r tne actors Fund is needed TO bring
England. Miss Jeffreys has collected snug sum
for the fund.
After Miss Maxine Elliott's London season at the
Lyric Theatre she will rest few weeks In Eng
by cyde Fitch entitled MY GT io S w haG P M
be produced in New-York early in September
Tonight, at the New-York Theatre where Mrs
| Black Is Back opens weeks engagement Miss
May Irwin will make some side remarks by special
request, regarding President Roosevelt. The speech
between acts 1t is said the affair is the result Of
bet, but this has not been confirmed
Beginning. the early part OF April. Walter N Law
renee, OF the Madison Square Theatre, will begin
series OF flying matuees in cities within radius
OF hundred miles of New-York. thereby follow
ing the vogue that holds extensively in England
These matinees will be given Mondays Thurs
days and Fridays. and will in wise interfere
with the regular performances at the Madison
Square Theatre.
Daniel Frohman has the following features for
the annual Actors Home benefit which will take
place at the Broadway Theatre, Friday after
noon, April +
william Fl. Crane and Fay Davis will act little
play by Anthony Hope. entitled The Philosopher
in the Apple Orchard" A burlesque sketch. to be
written by George II. Broadhurst. the plot of
! 1.-THE Duchess OF Danzic." will he performed by
Holbrook Blinn, Courtice Pounds Lempriere Prin-
gle Lawrence Rea Dorothy Diggs and Miss Eve
Green. kiss in the Dark will be played by
members of the Gillette company of the Empire
Theatre. Another play drama. in one act en-
titled I'm the Eyes of the World will be per-
formed by the members of the company of the
Lyceum Theatre. The sixteen Matinee Maids
from Lew Fields THEATRE jefferson De Angels
and Katie Barry, from the Fantana company, In the
Lyric Theatre: Miss Beatrice Herford Din one of
her monologues), also will be features OF the
entertainment. r F. Outcault the author OF
! Buster Brown" and THE Yellow Kid" and Will