New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-05-15
REPERTORY SCHEMES
The Glasgow PIayerS-COnrr.
tons in London.
London. Ma


chester has been experimenting vs,s
repertOry theatre, and apparently -
marked success. For three &C.,
there has been a resident stock comrs--
for the production Of unusual PLAYS -
or old, and the management is nov
larging its list Of shareholders -,
securing a good theatre for another va.
The choice OF plays Is regulated bv =
advisory committee. and Comedies -.
preferred. since larger audiences ara -
tained for them than for serious No..
THE Tragedy Of Nan" by Mr.. 49,
field. has been. however. one OF the 90.
spicuous successes, and Mr.. Cal,
worthy's Justice" has also been v.,,
received by thoughtful playgoers. g.
eraI OF Mr.. Shaw's plays have been -
vived, notably Candida. Oscar WlIds,
Lady Windermere's Fan" has been ~.
duced with a fine cast: Mr.. Hanki,,.
"Cassalio Engagement" has been tri.s
and "Prunella," THE Twelve POM
Look" What the Public Wants" az
''The Drums OF Dude" have been Anon,
recent numbers. Among the new plsr,
have been Dealing in Futures ana
Macpherson" the last a comedy bv
Glasgow man, with as much domsv,s,
! sentiment as humOr. There has been
full measure Of public support. Tss
managers are rfva1ling Miss Hornirssr
in repertOry work. and proving tb..
neither state nor municipal subsidies a..
needed for an independent provinciai
theatre Of high character
One Of the chief advantages OF fls
repertOry theatre has been the estas.
lishment of a training school for actin,
The Glasgow players. appearing fsr
week to week in new and dissimfs,
parts, have brOadened their stvle a..
CURED increased dexterity and enlargss
their resources Of stagecraft. Some =
them have become local favorites. ana
playgOers are eager 10 witness ever
fresh fmpersonatiOn. Il would be ma.
mature to forecast a Glasgow school q,
playwrights and actors as the outcome
Of this promising experiment in rens,.
tory work, but it seems fairly certain
/ that the local company draws as Iarga
audiences as the London touring COM
| binatiOns and that there is a svmna.
thetic public for homemade dramas Hks
| Macpherson" IN the early future thsra
will be classic performances Of Greek
tragedies and plays by veterans uks
Hauptmann and Pinero. and less uro.
fessional amateurs, such as Thomas
Hardy and Henry James. The Manches-
ter players are even more efficient than
the Glasgow company, and Dublin also
has a school Of acting.
In London the repertory system is ala,
having a fair trial. but the motives for
the choice Of plays are inscrutabla
'Helena's Path" which has been en-.
acted this week. is an airy and sprghty
little comedy in line with the modern
conventions 1t is grounded upon one Of
Mr.. Anthony Hopes charming studies
of English country life, and has been
dramatized by Mr. Gordon LennOx. T..
relates to one Of the cOmmOnest cauegr
OF trouble among neighbors in rural
England-a right Of way. Lord Ly1s
borough, eccentric champion Of sst-
causes and a practised athlete. insists
upon using a path across the property
of the Marchesa. the widow OF an Ital
ian nobleman. She bars the gate. givss
warning against trespassing on privag
property and calls to her aid soIeitgt
and constable. Each has allies at hone
and as the quarrel goes on her giriisn
companions are carried into the enemya
camp by his gallantry and excellent
luncheon at a cricket match. while his
supporters. an impressiOnable secretay
and jolly antiquary. are won over bf
her languishing glances. The end comes
in a compact with the kissing Of the
lady's hand by the knight on his knees
as annual tribute followed by love
scene, in which both find a common pain
for life.
1t may be a pretty romance for the
library or boudoir. but it is only mildly
attractive drama for the theatre. Thefe
is an Ineffective. make believe crieSe'
match. with a mob descending upon ne
luncheon tents. and the only real az
proach to action is the gay lords hyins
leap over the gate, against which eoqasf
fish Lady NOrah Is sitting resolu'ss'
What remains is Ianguidly amusing tas
among the partisans Of the rival HOUSES
with the final love scene a fOregone coz
Clusion from the beginning Miss Hs'
Vanbrugh. as the heroine. appears
several charming costumes and y
gracious and suave as she is ha1dsoDf
and Mr.. Charles Bryant as tie A'
takes the gate in fine style. simuis'@
frantic ardor for cricket and dispi"'
ingratiating manners in making co.
quest of every woman i'm sight EieA
clever and charming. but neither p
any opportunity for - the display
power. other members She conlss
have thumb nail sketches - chars''
but nothing requiring skill 0r ~
ence in acting. II is delicate drawn,
room comedy for prim young ladies
released from the guardianship Of s0'
ernesses.
The only mystery connected VIZ "A
harmless little play is IT'S selecll0H
a typical work for repertory -
II was a safe experiment for
run at any theatre. and couiu
been produced without diIlca's -
amateurs for a charity draw. way
anything so slender and CONVENE
been singled out for presentation
repertory theatre? The reason = -