New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-26
THE DRAMA.
'THE WALLS OF JERICHO. -
Savoy Theatre.

The union of James K. Hackett and Miss Mary
Mannering. his wife. twin stars in the same
company was brought about at the Savoy Theatre
last night when, under Mr. Hacketts manage
ment Alfred Sutro's drama, The Walls Of
Jericho, shown for the first time here and
NEWCOMERS had an opportunity to see what T,or
don for more than q year has applauded above aII
other plays. On the whole, the union Of Mr. ana
Mrs Hackett in one company is q more substau-
tial achievement than the production Of The Walls
OF Jericho and deserves a greater degree Of
permanence In spite of technical crudfties both
possess in spite, for instance. OF their careless
enunciation and lofty OF trisyabic truth thew
have shown themselves in the past players of sin
cerity and earnest purpose. and last night both
deepened this impression and brought out in each
new force OF truthful representation of latent
power The play may stand fall but II has 4usti-
fed the artistic union of the players always pleas
ant. sentimentaIIy. to contemplate
The play, however. will not fall 1t is not a
great play: it is not always satisfying play
It is not a play that in its background and pur-
pose Of it has purpose above appealing to the
British middle classes, those friends of Matthew
Arnold appeals greatly to an American audience
As has been sufficiently told already the Jericho
OF the play is the smart set Of London and the
Joshua is Jack Frobisher (played by Mr.
HacketD. who, unlike the Joshua of Scripture
marres within the city walls and lives for five
years in more less meek submission 10 the condi-
tons OF frivoIty, idleness. female depravity and
loose living which exist, or are supposed to exist
within the confines Of the Walls. He is awakened
finally by the filtration between his wife and one
OF the orchid and trouser-wearing citizens Jeri-
cho and, dispensing with all high priests with the
ark with the populace, he blows his lone trumpet
raises his lone shout-and the walls tremble, and
finally fall. 1t is Rohab that he saves but his
wife Cwho is really not at all the sort Of person
Rohab was, Jack would not have saved her.
since he was, when all is said and done, bit of
prig) He takes her back with him to his native
u-hio hat he b-f0 her
the hoIIowness Of her life, and leaves the inhab-
tants Of Jericho to their own company, ter
ribIe fate. indeed. than death by The sword. Thus
is Scripture refined and improved!
Now the first two acts Of the play are largely
given TO the rather minute denotement Of the
life and manners Of London smart society to the
creation of the atmosphere that finally drove Fro
bisher TO the better air Of Australia For such de-
notement sktlful players and skilful stage man
agenent are required. Neither Mr.. Hackett pro-
vided Mr. sutno has evidently pictured a certain
London set with the same minute observation Mr.
Fitch has applied TO phases Of New York Afe' but
no such hand Mr.. Fitchs has drilled the Amer
lean company. The very walls Of the rooms are
crude and fraiI as if a lusty shout would indeed
shatter them, and the minor players of Mr.. Hack
etts company are crude, too-even W. J. Ferguson.
as disreputable old Marquis. was hopelessly bad
almost the worst of the lot He might have been
playing with Edna May in a musical comedy. such
a picture far from home at best, so bungIngly put
together cannot reasonably appeal TO an American
audience.
But when the third act is reached, when the
background recedes and the figures OF FrobisheF
and his frivolous wife emerge the play takes hold
with fruaer grasp, is more universal IN its ap-
peal and rises finally to a vitality interesting, II
somewhat melodranatic, moment, when the hus-
band puts on the mantle Of Joshua and bids the
walls to crumbIe and his wife to come away with
him. Here Mr.. Hackett had his chance and met
1t well with inpassioned sincerity, manlike force
and the suggestion Of q latent strength he has IN
the past too often failed TO convey Miss Man
nering too met the occasion. The lingering def
ance born Of her old ways OF life, and the subse-
quent growth in her soul OF mobility and right
feeling, leading TO surrender. were finely and
truly denoted. It is in this situation and in the
forcefuI representation Of it by the two stars that
the success Of the Play will rest