New-York tribune., 1910-01-27
DRAM A
'Tzrelfth Night" Produced at
The Ne1U Theatre.

Productions al The New Theatre must
be taken in sections by the critics, IL not
by the public, If the earliest editions OF
morning newspapers are TO contain any
chronicle of the first nights at that interest
ing house. At II o'clock last evening, an
hour when the recorders of the drama are
compelled by the exigencies of their call
ing to leave the theatres, there were still
two acts Of Twelfth Night TO be per
formed. Those portions OF the play which
had been seen up TO that hour had been
admirably done, so admirably, indeed, that,
with the exception of a single character,
IL may be fairly said Twelfth Night was
never played better in New York, and that
IL has rarely been given anywhere with
more joyous fidelity to the spirit of Shake
spearian comedy.
Somehow, one had scarcely expected joy
BUSINESS at The New Theatre. 4 certain
sombre stateIiness has ruled there, even in
comedy, but last night all this gave way TO
high spirited mtrth and fresh delights II
the last two acts were as we'll done as the
first three (another visit must test that
point then the whole thing must be ac-
knoWledged the best performance that The
New Theatre has yet exhibited, far and
away the best. The exception, however,
which has been noted is of such impor-
tance that it concerns no less a character
than Viola The selection of Miss Annie
Russell for this part was unfortunate. The
chief successes of the evening had some
thing Of the nature of surprise-Miss Leah
Bateman-Hunter's Olivia, for example.
This was an impersonation of great charm
and much Skill 1t made an impression so
favorable that II deserves a special men
ton in the records of the presentation Of
n III. xIo vlItS
ley was highly successful. She made more
of Maria than is customary with inter
prefers of this part She bubbled with
liveliness and good fun.
One spectator. at least, is inclined to
think that the third scene of the second
act, the carouse OF Sir Toby, Sir Andrew,
Maria and the clown, has never been so
well played within the recollection of
any living theatregoer as it was last
night And there is no doubt that the set
ting Of the comedy surpasses in fitness and
beauty any that hitherto has graced
Twelfth Night on either side OF the At
lantic, not excepting the we'll remembered
presentations by Augustin DAILY, Henry
Irving and Sir Herbert Tree.
Any production of this comedy must be
attended with the difficulty of the con-
trast, often an incongruous contrast, be-
tween Viola and her twin brother Sebas
tlon. And of last nights contrast it must
be said that no IIlyrian with an eye or an
ear could ever have mistaken the brother
for the sister, or the sister for him. Mr.
Alexander Calvert was good enough as Sc
bastian, a manly fellow, excellent in voice
and speech, but the makers Of the cast
could not have gone farther afield for
man entirely unlike Viola in appearance
and mt Mr. a ly-ar va hat
ter as Sir Toby than he has been in any
other part at this house but in more than
one instance mis- lines escaped him, as they
have done before. Mr. Gottschalk's Sir
Andrew Aguecheek is the best that can
be remembered. Mr.. Yorke's Malvolio was
first rate. He might have made more of
the detail of -gartering, but it would
be captious to take exception on that point
Mr. Wendell's clown was well played-so
we'll, in fact, that Feste was more likely
person than actors usually permit Shake
speare's testers to be. And Mr.. Bakers
Antonio was a strikingly effective por
trayal OF minor part
The MANAGEMENT of The New Theatre
may not approve, but this suggestion is
-respeoefuIIs- submit ted :. On first nights lat
the performances begin promptly at
O'Clock; omit the fifteen minutes interrnis-
waits between the scenes and acts. The
public, which looks to the critics for intel
ligent and fair account of performance.
cannot expect to remain content with
ditons which compel an important presen-
tstion to be but little more than half
vealed. Other theatres might take similar
counsel TO heart. Everywhere in New York
the first night performances begin TOO late,
and too often the chroniclers of the play
are compelled to leave before the final act
is finished, and frequently before It is be
gun. 1t is easily within the power of
managers to alter these absurd first night
conditions. On other nights they may be
as late as they please, or as fashion de-
. crees
AS for Twelfth Night" at The New
Theatre, let the summary be congratulatiou
SO far as judgment on five acts may be
based on three. The samples being ap-
proved, try the whole. In the three acts
there are life and liveliness, beauty. nlirth,
high spirits, fascination, feast of color.
Perhaps all this may be true of the two
acts still remaining. One can only guess
But one wishes for another Viola A. ".
CAST OF TWELFTH NIGHT"