New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-10-27
THE DRAMA
WILLIAM FAvERsHAM AS HERoD
Stephen Phillips's Tragedy Produced
at the Lyric Theatre.

duced last night at the Lyric Theatre
stephen Philiips's noble tragedy. "Herod.'
Sdperbly set, with every appropriate at
tribute of modern stagecraft, with pict-
uresque and well drilled crowds of super
numeraries and a capable company Of
actors, the play was closely followed by
an attentive audience, which seemed to
find great satisfaction in the presentation.
IL has taken nine years for 'Herod" to
reach the American stage Mr.. Faver-
sham is said to have owned the American
rights for a long time. Whatever may
have been the circumstances which ire
vented an earlier production of the
tragedy in this country it cannot be said
that they have contributed either to the
public gain to the poets benefit \
presentation eight or nine years ago would
have had no less merit than last nights
performance: there should have been
timely evidence that the American stage
is not content with tagging behind that
or London when the production of so
important novelty Is concerned; and
In that case the poet-dramatist might not,
perhaps. have fallen into financial dis
tress-
But for the impoverishment of its poets
the public does not greatly care If these
gentlemen cannot sell their poetry to cd
Vantage they can shovel coal. This is said
to be a popular and particular opinion
Nobody (the word has been passed around)
is compelled" to write plays or books
paint pictures, carve statues or sing songs.
Ihls, however, is not a view that helps
any one, no matter how popular it may &c.
1t contributes little to conditions which
bear some resemblance to a fairly rounded
civilized state. And as for another side
n mat
? been told that the true purpose of the mod
ern theatre is not to cultivate any relation
to art but is to sharpen the faculty for
making money? 1t NAV be asked why
stephen Phillips did not return to the stage
as an actor If hard pressed for money He
was fairly good actor before he gave
proof that he is the finest poet of this gen.
Grafton. Such query only the pOet-dra-
matist himself could answer and the prob
abilities are that he prefers to keep his own
counsel in the matter. What is now to the
point Is that in "Herod" he has written
what for these days and moods of mind is
a great play. a tragedy powerful in its dra-
matte qualities. fine and noble in its literary
art. 1t should long ago have been seen If;
this country. it should now be seen in every
American city which is capable of support
ing a dramatic performance produced on SO
ample and costly a scale.
Mr.. Faversham deserves. and wins, rreat
credit for his production of a work so grand
in scope so stately in movement SO exact
ing in its demands. He has waited long
for his opportunity. And now he has pro-
duced a powerful and majestic tragedy by
the youngest of English poets. one of the
few true poets of the present era has re-
veaed to the multitude the glowing mag
ination. and the strong motion of this trag-
edy its Oriental splendors. its human ten
derness. cruelty. devotion and ambition he
has given to the American stage a poem
POLITICALLY presented.
Almost, it had been thought the dramatic
stage of this colossal and careless city had
lost the art of presenting tragedy. The
great inspiring, tragic figures of our stage
are gone. and nowhere within sight prom
Use are their successors. Yet, making all
allowance for this bcreaved state of the
theatre, here is a grand play whose spirit
is fairly we'll preserved in the performance.
II cannot be said that Mr.. Favershams
Herod is the mighty figure conceived by the
dramati poet, or that Miss Ops Marianne
is that alluring queen who spoke 1.-THE liquid
language of Eternity and for whom 8
king of men lost kingdoms and his soul.
But look upon the effort a whole, and it
will challenge admiration by Its intent and
realized dream.
This was that Herod the Idumean who
ruled Judea had Asmonean Marianne for
his queen and matched himself with
Rome; that Herod TO whom great difficult
ties brought delight. whose mind attracted
tempests; who slew the assembled San
hedrim who feared not Cesar nor the
rear of Rome" and when
Like rival thunders from opposed poles,
Rushed to the shock which split the world.
grappled the grizzly Antony to his side
and when Antony fell. won Cesar TO his
friendship A man of storms and cruelty,
of tenderness and love. Of passion mighty
as his ambition-soIdier. ruler. fanatic.
Here is a character that the greatest actors
would wish to play. Mr.. Favcrsham is
not a great actor, but he has greatly dared.
Herod overwhelms him. The part is too
great for him. too fierce. too full of primi-
tive emotion and rude power. Mr.. Faver-
sham neither looks the part nor acts il.
His Herod is no tiGer-man. no conqueror.
no tremendous lover no king who rules by
corruption, deceit and death He is TOO
mild and pliable person even to suggest
Herod. Miss Opp. much to the general sur
prise, was very good indeed as Marianne
and, saving for an occasional false en-
phasis, proved that she can speak blank
verse This however. seems 10 be quite
beyond tho powers of Mr.. Faversham. who
gives d falling infection and a dropping
voice at the end of every line. His train
ing has been opposed to work of this char
acter. A. w
The story of this tragedy may be out
lined thus:
Aristobulus and his sister. Marianne. are
the last of the Maccabean line. and adored
by the populace of Jerusalem Marianne
IIerod's queen, has prevailed with the King
that Aristobulus shall be made High Priest
Newly anonted, from the Temple to the
palace comes Aristobulus acclaimed by
the Judean multitude Messengers bring
to TIerod the tidings of the death of 1.-The
dem Emperor of the world" Marc An
tony. The councillors of the King are an
pslled; Judea trembes. can We not hear
the legions on the wind?" cries Herod as
they tell him how Antony fed from Ac-
tium Jerusalem fears the advance of
Octavtus Cesar. The affrighted council
lors are divided in opinion. Some urge sub
mission, some instant war. Herod scorns
both. He VIII seek Caesar at Rhodes and
conquer him with the arts of peace But
he fears a swelling mutiny among the Jul
deans he has
heard Il whispering of some new king.
A child that is to sit where / am sitting.