New-York tribune., 1908-02-16
A BOHEMIAN IDYL.
Mr.. Tree 0s the Hero in ". j..
Locke's "1'he Beloued Vagabond."
London. February 8.


ron. with more subtle or resourceful art than
vas disclosed in his impersonaticn of Jasper
,he choir1naster OF Cloisterham; but The subject
&c less somhre and depressing a.. the audience
:. exhilsrated by evening of artistic revelry
.,s rollicking fun. Seldom has he received less
assistance from his fellow players than in this
,s-- play which depends for success almost ex-
,lusively upon his own versatility and trans
,o-ts Of gayety; and never have his triumphs
been more decisive and complete than on the
opening night OF The Beloved yagabond"
v-here stalls rtvalled the pit in enthusiasm and
,ovous appreciation
We. the drama itself was built u2 around
highly conventional framework with timbers
linked together by well-worn, rusty devices II
&c the old-fashioned. familiar melodrarna with
lovers parted because a fathers accounts have
gone wrong and the rich rivals money is needed
10 avert criminal prosecution and with a final
reconciliation after years OF distressful wander
ing and silence. when the secret of heroic self
sacrifice has been disclosed accidentally and
the wicked, intriguing husband has been killed
Of The stage-made mechanism on which the
action turns has long been in the stockroon
especially the discriminating letter of sale so
wor,5ed as shield the guilty accomplice and
n convict silent pledge bound innocence II
Is an old story without much connection with
life as il is known anywhere in the planet: vet
Il seems new, plausible and realistic because
It is informed and illuminated by the spirit of
sr1istic bohemianism and vaga bondage With
al its weakness Of construction and triviality
of plot and incident it is literary play as fin
tshed IN form and fanciful in sentiment Wit and
vivacity anything Rostand has written
II literary art that fascinates the audience
with potent SPELL for Mr.. Locke has dramatized
his own novel and not allowed any adapter 10
spoil the effects. He knows the Partisan realm
of bohemia with its medley Of comedy and
TRAGEDY. its beauty Of color and JOY in life its
fantastic glamour for the imagination and its
sudden transitions from laughter to tears Mr.
Tree Is 81 home in f also, and so the new play
has Z charm. realism and a reasona bleness of
lis own.
The curtain rises upon drinking bout in Gas
ton de Herac's fat. where the young architect
and man Of genius is bidding farewell to the
Vilon Club on the eve Of his marriage with 10
anna, the daughter Of a banker-lord Mr. Trees
declamatory voice and wealth of byplav are
Neu suited TO the scene Of revelry and good fell
lowshiQ, and as one jovial speech or bumper
follows another the play starts off with brisk
movement in noisy but cultured bohemia This
slackens mornentarily when melodranla comes
IN with heavy tread and stiff Journalism and
The bridegroom's future father-in-lavv is dis
closed as defaulter liable to criminal prosecu-
ton and mercenary Comte de Verneuil ar
ranges transfer of the bride 10 himself on
payment of the debt the bank
CASTOR agrees TO save the honor of Joanna's
father. 10 lock the secret in his breast and TO
leave France for five years A happy love scene
is followed by abrupt parting without ex-
Tlanation- when CASTOR feigns intoxication after
VoV-ng 70 her that he viii always be tenn
Terate- and Astioot, the little hunchback. is
summoned 10 follow his master into vaga-
bondage after model of a palace and some of
tie ornaments and furniture have been smashed
n q delirium of resentment, is done at the
close CT NJ Pinero's Iris
50 far there has been little ingenuity of con-
struotior. but there has been brilliant literary
form. with distinct impression of man Of
genius and nobility OF nature in an environment
Of artistic topsy-turveydom- The second act
reveals finer craftsmanship and exceedingly
clever stage management In a picturesque
garden OF an inn at Champigny village cure is
directing the rehearsal Of little girl who is TO
present a bouquet 10 the Corntesse de Verneun
before the dances OF the green CASTOR, return
ing in rags with Asticot after five years wan
oerings. tosses of jest and cynicism as lightly
IS he drains the mugs OF beer. and when old
fiddler engaged for supplying accompaniment
Tor the dancing faints from WEAKNESS after a
long tramp there is substitute at hand to help
out Blanquette. the tarnbourine girl.
The con1te and cortesse. who have made a
loVeless marriage come in for the village func-
uo1; the little girl presents the bouquet with
pretty prattle. and the villagers dance while
tie beloved vagabond plays a gay measure.
Husband and wife recognize the musician and
Sesl away distracted with agitation. The min
streIs he1d pauses while he exchanges glances
WITH jena. and then. breaking into one OF
his eTH passages. The Vision Splendid he
rC>LaS among The dancers and leads
u-e himself with reckless gayety. II is a fine
sct with picturesque grouping and dashing
movement: and M. Tree throws himself into
lis par1 with wonderful fire and vivacity. With
Aght touch and whimsical humor he suggests
The lovelorn poet, the romantic Don Quixote. the
sentimental dreamer. the dissipated bohemian.
TIE sardonic philosopher and the noble hearted
squire Of danes. and the impersonation
whole is one Of the freshest and most delightful
BITS q acting with which he has ever favored
1layEoers.
There Is 2 third act. which drass moments,
ou, is alternately droll and pathetic. The be-
loved ysgabond has III attic in Paris. where he
ls making dolls and animals for Noah's arks
and whore Blanquette, the tambourine girl, and
Asticot- the hunchback, waiting upon their
master Dissipated. broken in health and
wrecked in mind. he still scars with constant
poise II Z dreanlIand Of noble aspiration Blan-
cUette Is wildly in love with him, but he thinks
of her only as child TO be humored and petted.
The tragedy Of his ruined life is poignant, and
II is brought out by contrasting effects Of comic
re-lef When he has provided a goose and a
oozen bottles Of wine for feast in honor OF the
ialtftUi Asticot q swarm Of mummers IN fancy
ooS,U-ce enter the TOY factory and the Vasa-
Bon, having donned Pierrot dress, crInks with
taera and. standing the table. recites comic