New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-09
Mr.. MANSFIELD AND "poN CARLOS

Mr.. MANSFIELD AND "DoN CARLOS
Richard Mansfield. who acted last night in Ba1ti-
more will soon appear at the New Amsterdam
Theatre in New-York. and will present an English
adaptation of Schiller's tragedy of Don Carlos"
Mr.. Mansfield is the leader of his profession in
America, an extraordinary man and great actor
and his appearance here, in SchIIer's play will be
the most important event of the dramatic season.
Mr.. Mansfeld's production of Don Carlos" has
aroused much interest. and. In some quarters has
caused controversial comment The subject of
Don Carlos was early introduced to the English
s'age-OtWays tragedy, Don Carlos Prince of
Spain having been presented with success at
Dorset Garden. with Smith the Prince in June
lR6. Several TRANSACTIONS of Schiller's tragedy
were published In England. about the wears 1885,
1901 but Of them appears to have been acted
The first English adaptation of it ever produced in
Apler1ca is the one made by William Dunlap which
was. brought out by that veteran manager and
dramatist at the old Park Theatre in this cftv In
March 1799 with Cooper the Prince and II
nell as the King. Don Carlos was first produced
Dy MI Mansfield at the Valentine Opera House
1oIedo OHIO, on October q, 1905 He had ruthlessly
cut the play but it was found TO be still too long
and he was obliged shorten still more before
Its first production in Chicago That condensa-
ton has caused the usual wailing bv impractical
purists. who cannot or will not understand that
the acted drama must be brought within a reason
aole limit of time or soon to be the acted
70
the exclslons of the German classic and he so
clared; but he has approached the subject IN
spirit of reverent appreciation and in condensing
Don Carlos" he has but followed the example OF
Schiller himself who. when the piece was first
produced, in Hamburg, in 1884, did not hesitate to
omit whatever seemed an impeachment to action:
and that he did when more time was habitually
allowed and more tolerance shown toward prolix-
ty, than could be dreamed OF now. Mr.. Mansfield
has in no way injured the literary work in pre-
senting the dramatic one and he has, at least.
made 1t possible for admirers OF Schiller to see
his famous play on the stage.
Absurd clerical objections have been made to Mr..
Mansfelds production Of Don Carlos" The Rev.
Mr.. J. II. Muehlerbeck, of Toledo, declaring him
self to be the spokesman for fifty Catholic societies
of Lucas County Ohio, addressed letter of protest
to the Editor Of The Toledo News-Bee Directing TO
the presentment. the grounds that the tragedy
is not masterpiece; that it grossly msrepre-
sents history; that it is. in a literary way. defec-
tive; that its twofold plot is disturbing element;
that Is tediously long, that 1.-THE Princess Amelia
after it had been read TO her once. again in
Schiller her presence"-for. which reason.
apparently, it be a good play; that the
Illicit intimacy between Don Carlos and his step
mother, which, like gangrene, sweeps through
the whole drama, is historically untrue and must
fill the minds of the spectators with moral poison:
and, finally. because religious practices and doc
trines dwelt upon IN such a manner as to
shock Catholics, and TO promote, in on-Catholics
prejudice and aversion. The reverend gentleman
also disturbed by the question whether the
play be presented entire-a point which
he need have given himself no anxiety. for. orig
inally written, the play would require about six
hours In acting-and Mr. Mansfield Is among other
things, practical manager. 1t is the actors right
determine whether play by Schiller which
he worked for years. is sufficiently masterpiece
for representation. AS the treatment OF history
there are, at least, two opinions allowable. Every
body does not take the view of King Philip II ap-
proved by the Rev. Mr.. Muehlenbeck. The twofold
plot of the piece may be a disturbing element
TO the clergy of Toledo. but else is likely
to be distressed by it. If Mr.. Mansfield pleases
TO give a performance that occupies sixteen hours
that is his business Neither Mr.. Muehlenbeck
anybody else is compelled to witness it, If pres
ent, remain till the curtain falls. The judgment
of the Princess Amelia to literature and drama
should, OF course, be remembered with shuddering
awe. Young ladies' know much about such
matters!
AS to the gangrene of Illicit Intimacy between
Don Carlos and his stepmother''-there is slag-
estion of improperly of their relation in the play
as presented by Mr.. Mansfield. If every play writ
ten by the greatest dramatists that lived
reIegated to the bookshelf because not perfect In
literary how many pieces would be pro-
duced! And, finally why object on the ground
of religion: The Roman Catholic Church. like the
Protestant Church has many black and terrible
pages In her history; records that distress every
good Catholic and every good Christian: but there
is not the slightest danger of causing prejudice
and aversion In the minds OF any reasonable be-
ing as 10 the Roman Catholic Church of to-day tine
most poetic and interesting Church OF the Christian
world, and the most powerful and tnfuentfaD, by
picturing some of the terrors of the Spanish IN
quisition The subject has been used for genera
tons on the stage, and It always is more or less
interesting; and far prejudice and aversion
are likely TO be excited by the protest OF the Cath
oiic clergy of Toledo 90 Mr.. Mansfelds selee-
ton of this play for performance But TINS nigouy
usually makes itself vocal 1t assailed Henry
Irving, when he produced Dante" 1t was ram
pant at the production OF The Soreeress. be-
cause of the before the terrible tribunal OF
the Tnouisiton: and IL been active or less
agstnst Richard Mansfield for producing Don
Carlos but II will not affect his performance in
this CITY The astute authorities OF the august
Papacy are not IN the habit OF making trihes I'M
portant. by investing them with halo Of epis-
oopaI Misrepresentation. Mr.. IaIsfeld's psTsonation