New-York tribune., 1906-04-26
THE DRAMA.
MRS. F1SKE AT THE MANHATTAN.

Mrs. Ffske who Is filing engagement. this
week az the Shubert Theatre. Brooklyn. as Becky
Sharp, appeared at the Manhattan Theatre
Tuesday afternoon, and again yesterday afternoon.
In one-act play, entitled Dolce. written by Mr.
John Luther Long, and she welcomed with
arectionate cordiality. Two little plays from her
own expert pen,-the we'll remembered Light from
St Agnes" and Eyes of the Hesrt."-were also
acted. This performance viii be repeated this
afternoon. and the opportunity OF seeing il should
be improved-for II irnparts pleasure. and 1t af-
fords gratifying manifestation Of Mrs. Ffskes
various and brilliant ability. The play OF Dolce
is one of those somewhat theatrical fabrics.
Of the order Of "a Morning Call" in which oppor-
tunity OF embodiment Is provided for actors-not
everything being set down In words, but situa-
ton being made. and something being left to the
resources OF suggestion. There are two interloc-
utors-an italian countess and an American
painter. The is the painters studio, at Flor
ence. The form is colloquy. involving reminis-
cence OF past events. The substance is display Of
two gentle ardent. sympathetic personalities that
are attracted TO each other. The drift is toward
removal Of mystihcation. The process is that OF
equivoke and the result Is picture of pure afrec
ton and patient fidelity rewarded with happiness.
Dolce the Countess di Cassali. has met, socially,
American artist, Mr.. Shandon and he has related
to her some incidents of his acquaintance with
an italian girl. singer. whom he knew in a city
of America, but who disappeared and OF whom he
has lost all trace. The Countess visits Mr. Shan
don, in his studio. saying that she would like to
hear more about that Italian waif He does not
recognize. in this sparkling lady. the vagrant OF
earlier days to whom he strongly attached and
whom he has not forgotten; but her recognition Of
him is instantaneOus-for she has long loved him.
and she with the eyes of love. On his side
there is mood of rueful perplexity. On her side
there is anxious solicitude to the state OF his
feelings. Mrs. Fiske was, indeed. charming In her
maintenance OF an archly piquant manner. yelling.
without completely concealing, tender emotion. At
the last the Countess avows herself to have been
the little italian stray, stolen from her people and
carried into captivity.-whereupon the artist In
cles to reproach her for persistng in mystery and
using her advantage to absorb his confidence and
surprise his secret but they find themselves to be
lovers.-ond Journeys end In lovers meeting" as
every wise mans son doth know" Mr.. John
Mason acts Shandon. and by his gentle gravity.
graceful demeanor. and manly simplicity, expresses
winning ideal OF natural chivalry and unpreten-
tious goodness-the ideal of a man who makes no
parade Of his feelings but does right because it is
his nature to do This comedian possesses style
and the finer qualities of his style are the ever de-
lghtfu qualities of repose and simplicity. In the
st. Agnes play Mr.. Mason acted the ruffian
Kerouac. while Miss Eliscu performed. In her usual
vein of realism. as Tcinette-the part formerly so
we'll played by Mrs Fiske herself Mr. George
Arliss repeated his serio-comic, touching perform
ance of NJ. D'Ancelot in THE Eyes OF the Heart"
w W