New-York tribune., 1906-09-22
LONDON DRAMA.
a Veto on Criticism-Miss Terry
and CurlL Maude IN Good Parts.

Offering the critics the usual frst-night priyi-
ieges has asked them 10 stay away for a week
or a fortnight before witnessing The Morals or
Marcus" He processes 20 be acting in the joint
interests OF the stage and Of the press He con-
siders that a new drama is seen 10 better ad-
vantage after the first few performances. when
the nervousness OF players has worn of and
minor alterations required by public taste have
been made: and he describes his innovation as
the most helpful method OF rescuing dramatic
criticism from 'the obscurity OF mere report
ing." involved by the present system OF late
hour writing against time. Under the FIRST head
there may be the obvious answer that the SUM
ulus OF the first nights excitement. when players
are on their nlettle is an ample offset 70 their
nervousness and that the suggestions OF trained
critics ought be most helptul IN erecting
minor changes Under the second head X
VIII be enough TO say that Mr.. Bourehier taxes
too serious a view Of the importance OF current
drama His House in order" Is the only new
play produced in London in the course OF a year
which has overraxed the energies OF the critics
after midnight and many OF them had previous
lv seen Il in full dress rehearsal He must De
auu slow witted writer OF dramatic notices
who cannot do fun justice to the average play OF
The period when he has an hour ana halt at
h,s aisnossl: and ordinarily it is a mercy 10
toth playwright and actor-manager that mere
Is not a longer interval for reflection What the
,,o5arn stage needs Is worthier and more artistic
work than is now supplied: and the professional
critics can always be depended upon 10 discern
~ with keen intelligence and 70 welcome IL most
sympaihetically.
The London theatres receive more free adNer-
Using than any other organized trade or busl-
ness Their courtesies are insignificant in COM
harrison with the advantages OF publicity before
and after the production of a new piece In re-
turn for the half-guinea stall on the opening
night they have preliminary paragraphs ana de-
tailed notices sometimes exceeding two columns
.n length-attentions which public companies
cannot obtain without paying heavily for them
The theatre is the spoiled child of the press me
larger the gratuity Of public notice. the smaller
Is the measure Of gratitude from the box Office
The raanagernent of the GarTick has been most
rersis,ent and systematic in soliciting favors
from the press and II suddenly affects in
difference 10 the opinions OF professional critics
and boasts that il can make library deals ana
foreign contracts when fits new play has been
,nnotioed Mr Bourchier. after having two
futile quarrels with leading critics. now takes
the whole body OF stage writer's under his pat
sonage and agrees TO relieve them from the
pressure Of late hours and 10 enable them 10 be-
come something more than reporters. play
without first might criticism the humors and &c
centricities of the gallery gang passing without
observation. may he successful with the help Of
heavy battalions Of sandwich men. but In any
event there is much ado about nothing II is
beyond the power Of either high minded or NAL
evolent critics TO save or 10 destroy good play;
and il is equally futile for the cleverest actor
manager either 70 hide bad piece under a
bushel or 90 conduct select classes in belated
dramatic criticism.
The revival Of A Winters Tale" at His
Majesty's Theatre marks the fulhlment Of what
was probably Miss Ellen Terry's earliest stage
ambition. When half century ago she prattled
as the child Mamilius the Prinoess's Theatre
she must have yearned 10 be big and old enough
10 play Hermione. and al last after enacting
all the other great Shakespearian heroines. ex-
oept Rosaiind. she has her wish II is not a
comedy part. and. consequently. she is not az
her best: but II is a forcible and graceful
aenotement Of poignant suffering and sorrow.
and her wonderful voice vibrates with pathos.
Womanly dignifed and queenly, she 1lls the
stage with her gracious presence as Miss Mary
Anderson used 20 do in the same part and II
she he less successful at any point Il is when
she dons white drapery and affects statuesque
repose Miss Anderson could become cold and
bloodless as a statue but il Is a whimsical mas
ouerade for warm -bloOded mischievous Ellen
Terry. Her acting is fine. and so also is that Of
Mr. Charles Warner Leontes-old fashioned
fn method. but strong in emotional force. Mrs
Tree is admirable Paulina; Mr.. Basil GIL is
a brilliant Florizel and there is a wonderful bit
sucoessfui impersonations those Of Miss Tree
as Perdita, and Mr.. G W. Somerset as Autoly-
Gus; but these minor flaws I'm an exception
ally artistic representation. with stage setting
of singular loveliness and impressiveness Mr..
Tree is the best stage manager Of the time, and
he has spared neither money ingenuity in
presenting a series Of picturesque scenes worthy
OF the poetic genius OF Shakespeare II is at
his theatre that success is commanded for the
legitimate drama and he earns year after year
the gratitude Of the most thoughtful class Of
playgoers.
Mr.. cyril Maude. the most charming and YER
satile Of eccentric comedians. has found new
and most amusing part at the Duke Of Yorks
Theatre. He has individuality strong
that It vitalizes caricature. and with his light
ness OF touch and genuine comic spirit he sue
ceeds in making burlesque fairly convincing and
rleasantly grotesque. In '"Toddles." a three-act
play from the French OF Tristan Bernard and
Andre Godfernaux. he has the task Of carrying
a titled noodle through series OF farcical ro-
mantle adventures. and he contrives 10 keep the
character within The confines OF plausibility.
when his wedding suit is stolen and he is car
ried on 20 a civil marriage in pajamas In his
hopeless beWilderment. his flashes OF good sense
and his roIlicking good humor. he is irresistibly
funny during the h-st acts: and in the third
when farcical byplay begins TO lose it's sparkle
ne has some serious love making and redeems
the play from inane staleness. Mr. Maude in
spite Of prolonged vRgsries OF fooling. leaves
Toddles a gentleman beyond reproach; and il
there were less deKterity I'm the method this
would be impossible. NJ. Frohman has formed