New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-04-07
THE DRAMA
THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL. +"
Theatrical Sheep.

/ Announcement was made some time ago that Mr.
( H. Beerbohm-Tree would revive the great comedy
of The School for Scandal in London. with an
! exceptionally interesting Mr.. Tree. good.
eccentric comedian. and ambitious, Industrious
ehrewd manager. has long been accustomed TO
make the plays produced al His Majestys Theatre
occupy more less the position of a cotheshorse,
turning them TO lavish spectacle. in which, erro
neousy. he thinks that he IS following the exam
pie of his great predecessor, Henry Irving. Mr.
Trees intention. with regard to Sheridans famous
play, to be in line with that custom. 1t was
[ made known Monday that he would reduce the
play four and change the period of it. Yes
terday Mr.. William A. Brady disclosed an inten-
ton Of revivng the play, and,-in that sheep-
like spirit OF imitation which often characterizes
| theatrical management,-his intention IL Is lnu-
mated, is to follow Mr.. Trees bad example in re-
arranging the play. and in changing the period OF
IT, so as to give ample opportunity for picturesque
settings and costumes
Does anybody know why such course should be
followed? II The School for Scandal" could be
improved by a radical Encouragement Of its con-
tents. that would be a sufficient reason for the
purposed changes. There is no element OF sanctity
in the old Comedies any more than there IS IN
the plays of Shakespeare. The School Tor scan
dali like many other old English plays, contains
some indicate and vulgar passages ana sucn
passages should always be expunged. in the repre-
sentation.-as they always were by Joseph JeHer-
son and by Augustin DAILY. But the construction
of The School for Scandal, which is the greatest
Is the product of dramatic genius and the most
seduous labcr,-cannot be improved, Whle the PROV
ect OF changing its period, so as to give allpie Op
portunity for picturesque settings and costumes
is absurd. No period provides more ample oPpol-
tunity for picturesque settings and costumes thah
the period of the pay.-1777. The fact that MI. Tree
has undertaken TO improve The School Tot scan
dali will surprise any person acquainted win
that actor and his career any more than IL Wouio
surprise such person to learn that he had under
taken to improve the Sermon on the Mount Out
it is surprising find Mr.. Brady initiating thal
example of Conceit and folly
A theatrical manager who should endeavor TO re-
store some of the masterpieces OF old English COM
edy to the contemporary stage would be DONG d
public service. Such work cannot however DC
accomplished without the exercise OF taste anu
judgment. The essential requisite Tor PreseIi'a
ton of The School for Scandal is neither re-
arrangement OF its scenes any attempt at nov
city in the matter OF and Dress the essen
tiaI requisite is Acting. When competenty acteu'
that play always causes a delightful effect W men
badly acted. is of the dreariest things ever
,a,-saIe5 TO mortal vision The advent Of Miss
Grace George as Lady Teazle a1l be viewed with
interest by every lover OF the dramatic art \
great representative OF that sparkling part has not
been seen here since Ada Rehan left the stage.
Miss Georges present company Includes the most
ACCOMPLISHED light comedian of this period. MI
Frank Worthing, whose performance OF tharles
Surface long ago made known. ana Is reI!eli'-
bered a. a superb achievement. Judges OF acting
familiar with the brilliant presentations OF Charles
Surface that were given by such actors as Lester
WaIlack and Charles Coghlan. have commenced
Mr. workings personaton of that part as the
hest within the memory Of the present generation
The apnaarance of Robert Manteu Sir Peter
TeazIe cannot fail to be dramatic event OF the
first Importance. Since the time OF John Gilbert
William Warren and Charles Fisher no entirely
competent representative OF Sir Peter has appeared
here and no contemporary actor is SO wei quail
fed as NJ Sfanteu is 10 meet the requirements OF
that exacting character. There is not weak part
in the comedy unless. perhaps that of old Ro"ley-
Fine acting IS required in every one OF the parts
not pother about periods or picturesque settings
zinc throughout II YOU love US William, Act
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