New-York tribune., 1906-10-02
THE DRAMA.
., IRVING AND MISS BAIRD.
v.u Amsterdam Theatre.


s,r md Miss Dorothe2 Baird ap-
". e. night at the New Aiiis,el az C.a.a-
,Asd as' srsnk-verse tragedy, by Mr.. STEPHEN
s.ssnins . .eT,.olo and Francesca" That play
philips csIea .-osuced by Mr. George Alexander
vas orsilA--s --as Theatre. London. and II is wen
9; IRE Sl --,r- acts Malatesta, and Miss Baird
srorr MI = ,bne the auxiliary cast includes
sets t1sno tD,o,e-s well known and respected mere
sversi - - be,ng Frank Tyson. Charles Dous
snoa a-cher. and Maud Milton IL coulo %
VOL sso. MI Irving had selected a more hofeI.
vishea attractive subject than the ancient ana
pnH storv Of Francesca's adultery and MaIa-
f-srs0"o with which 20 associate his advent
ssshs .r,ertcan stage. That theme has been
rpon -, Illustrated by multitudinous bards TO-
c1O- ons piaywrights. and has been imposed
nsnes,, literary vehicles from the terra rims
rpn, CELESTIAL Dante 20 the coczney verses OF
- t.nnt and the spasmodio prose or MI ha-
N-s.+s os the Annunciation; and Il has pecoIne
pes,v tedious The story indeed, IS as
ss that Poor Relation Of whom Charles
p" so nlayfully remarks that 'the guests think
lN~I l.sys seen him before" Seen him indeed they
w Two brothers ore handsome and attrao-
& che other 5eforTned. elderly and austere' love
- .,re woman. Circumstances compel her mar
-. N the uncouth brother while her affecuohs
=. sssowed upon the handsome one a criminal
..u.cv ensues between the wife and her 4oVer'
- when the betrayed husband discovers lheF
- he kills both OF them. The ingredients
= .,st backneysd tale are love. jealousy iear'
- rernorse hatred rage. and murder 1t
Ae v-as a sorry conglorneration, and In the
- lines Of Mr. Stephen Philhps.-a Inechan-
-, ,-,iaoer Of verse whose writings sometimes
III e.. be,orical felicity but not poetic insplra-
-, 1, e drearier han ever.
~. enotions involved IN the acting OF that play
-. ,he ps-gion Of the infatuated lovers; the Tapt-
-. sre despair of the recreant lazy; the ser
- ~ ~ both: ana the misery and fury Of the
- 60 sns injured husband. Deliverance Of ex-
,-,o, on the expression Of such feelings has
o., heen compelled by the industry of the play
:, ana pstience is beginning 10 grow weary or
,..5sstipg descant the alterations Of desire
r. ,,rblngs OF anguish, and the lassitudes OF
Is,si- Perhaps II viii suffice TO say. In general
-bst fbe principal PLAYERS who participated IN the
.1.,oohoIv exercises on this occasion appeared 10
NJ =, great distress. and had abundant -eason for
t.,,r so Tie play IS radically srtifcial-a long.
,.boT,ops vire-Woven fabric Of pumped-up excite
-, s7,o,t e very had. but very common, case OF
,s-oo,,,aI infeliclty The husband, the wife the
,o,,s, ,he turpitude the shame the grief The eN-
,osrre che homicde-they have all been seen; they
h.r. al been discussed; and Il is time they were
ell laid away IN camphor. Actors must be very
fired OF them A part Of thu public certainly IS;
nor is Eeariness OF a hacIneyed theme in any de-
eYnerges in the rament Of a stilted blank verse.
Resolute character. intellectual purpose, and
temperament that blends sensibiIty with satirical
cy1icism are the chief attributes revealed IN the
acting Of Mr. y. 2. Irving. He possesses the
physical advantages OF thin 1.-The figure, strong.
clear but not very sympathetic voice. an
pressire. handsome conference.-the eyes being re-
maTkably fne-snd & distinguished manner. His
method is remarkable for clarity Of design and for
she
eEecution lie has absolute repose: he takes plenty
Of time and he conceals both the tension OF
nervous excitement ans the mechanism OF theatI1-
cal art. His performance has been carefully. even
aooriousy planned. but il is smooth. fluent and
symmeI1cal and Il seems 10 be spontaneous He
is an expert ana accomplished actor. within, ap-
Tarenily, limited range.-the range, namely. OF
analysis stngulerity, morbid introspection and the
shifting phases Of mental complexlty He would
pei perfectly well such a part as Rashleigh in
Scotts 'Rcb Roy" or Uric. in Byron's Werner"
He does not appeal 10 the heart, and he
ot not disclose any exceptional power over
the emotions-sithough Il sufficiently manifest
nat ne knows how 10 assume and maintain a
senbRnoe Of power-as in the moment when
Ass'ssta first admits the thought that his broth
G the enemy Of his peace; the delivery Of the
speech in which he avows the intent TO kill: and
lie uiterance Of the final words with all the ac-
uo1 appertaining 70 thar pathetic situation He was
cordially welcomed and there is much reason TO
oeie'e that he VIII become favortte; for his act
ag s intellectual. his personality IS peculiar and
oeepF Interesting. and he speaks with music OF
q slue1iaaon which is refreshment and delight
.As tragedy is richly mounted, as TO pictorial ef-
@ -e'r me principal women IN the play are drawn
va" poS!uFely unique absurdity. Francesca nlaun-
uus IKE a simileton and old Lucrezia prances
asouI storming because she has never borne any
an ~.
t'Sne for it, Miss Maud Milton made the most Of
uAs angry female, and was rewarded with popular
tppAase For Mr.. Irving the curtain calls were
numerous. ana he public feeling was unmistakably
u-A' OF welcome admiration and good Will
". ".