New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-10-05
THE DRAMA
Henry koIker in "The Great
Name." at Lyric Theatre.

in England and in the United States. 1t
has now reached New York, where It's ca
pscity for charming the local and VISITING
public viii be tested. Whatever IL NAV
have been in the German-it vas acted IN
Vienna and Berlin last sesson-it seemed
rather slight thing in the version which
Charles Hawtrey prepared for and played
in. 70 London audiences AZ the Prince 81
Wales's Theatre. For America there is
another version and this is by James Clar-
once Harvey In Austria the scene =, "a
IN Vienna: In Germany. Berlin; in England,
London: and now. behold, in America the
scene is anywhere you please IN the United
States That Is 70 say, its city is alluded 10
as "a great musical centre" who shall
decide whether this means New York. OF
Boston, or Chicago? Let no jealousies be
aroused BY pride Of place. In any case. YOU
arc asked 70 believe that what was true Of
Vienna. Of Berlin. Of London, is true OF a
great musical centre" in our republic OF
discords Thus a composer who Is the
king Of musical comedy" and who ia there
fore as wealthy as an American trust
"a ambitious TO be known az composer OF
classical music. II is a case Of the come
dian longing 70 play Hamlet He has
written a symphony which Is not yet per
formed. Another composer, man Of seri-
GUS mind and classical accomplishments
OF real bur unappreciated genius an I'm
poverishsd genius, indeed. has also written
a SYMPHONY. "Orestes.' but no one VIII
permit the world 70 hear H. The success
full composer Of comic opera lends hls nane
10 the work Of his old friend. the unsuc-
cessflI man The latter's symphony Ia.
under this condition. performed. and win
immense success And credit is subsequent
Il, gi,sn where il is due Well. II this hap
nened in Vienna would II happen in Ber-
lin. and in London. and New York Or'
mr. the question in another way: WHY not
in America retain the original scene-Nien-
M, There might be some charm Of at
nosphere then which the Americanlzed yer
sion lacks. But in this version al the Lyric
Theatre the characters are German, and so
the enterprise strives 10 carry win y some
foreign flavor not Of the soil.
In London the characters are English.
and the PLAY is English. In the American
ICED version the Germans conduct their
little comedy somewhere inside the forty
six states. Just what IS gained BY the sea
change ia not clear 10 the most patriotic
ave. but there must be some gain imaginary
or adjacent else theatre folk would nor
toll so over their geographical ana topo-
graphical differences. A story has toddled
around the world 10 the effect that franz
I,ehar. composer of The Merry Widow. /
lent his name IN some such way as Hoter
lends his in the play a. the Lyric Ter
hans he did And then-but n is a pleasing |
story. anyhow. Joseph Hoter, IN MS STU
dent davs. loved q girl who vas studying !
music at tha-weU II vas one place IN |
Vienna, another place In Berlin, third IN
London. and I'm a great musical centre |
IN Anerica-it may have been wherever |
Won ike Hofer keeps. twenty years after
the ladv's portrait IN his prosperous draw
ING room. But the LADY married Robert |
Prsnd urize student. afterward the classi- |
cal and unsuccessful composer. TOT inc
1,dv,s sake. and for Brands sake, too, |
t4ofar lends IN Brand 8 symphony his own |
distinguished name. This courtesy secures
performance and. presumably, glory, Hoter
bo,-irg baen convinced that his own sym
rbonv IL mere sound and fury His candid |
and convincing critic was MS seere'dI!'
sto,baria Delius. whose charm is equal 10 |
her candor and her musical taste ana VINO
iu due season. narrias the golden Jo'ep''
Rrand's symphony IS performed WIN cum
plete success.
Henry Kolzer carries upon his oapan-e
shoulders most Of the work OF the pla,. ne
,s very ably assisted. though, BY MI. huss
v-b,-aI one II the best artists now on the
stage and whose admirable work IN The
y-i+ching Hour" is happily remembered.
NJ rlolI,ar ts the Joseph Hofer, Mr.. why
+ai The Robert Brand. These two characters
arc nIeved with really fine ability. All per
sons who ike good acting, that Is 10 say
chose who understand II and like n when
-bsv sec H. may be advised to 60 10 the
,.ric Theatre and watch the uncommonIN
,,od acting Of Mr. Kolker and AIr. WhytaL
These two actors make the PLAY. Dir.
ttolj,er'a musician is quite unlike Mr.
Ditrichztein's I'm The Concert though
ouite as whimsical 2 fellow, but much |
moro wholesome IN character. He Il q
big afectionate. generous overgrown ooy'
7,to nlav contains soma fetching passages /
ir EoIker's lines II IS not, however
grorl- Of much distinction or remarkaoi' /
for structure and skill i has popular
Qualities. though. and touches the heart Oh
tha audience. which IS probably what II was /
sr,a~is1lv designed 70 90 Improvements /
would not be difficult TO suggest, but suit-
cier+ for the DAY IS the attraction thereof. |
And The Great Name" has qualities which /
eeor7 likely 70 attract the not TOO sophsu- /
Gated pIavgoer. The acting Of koiker ann |
WhytaI should and probably win do more /
than that. - Is likely 10 draw the atten-
por and stir the praise CT the discerning
,-be cast as a whole was credtsble. but the /
acting II he two players TO whom special !
mention has been given here stands onf |
ccnspicuouslv az among tho best WORK 'l /
the season. II the play succeeds II VII ''
"a. a. Tho. sccourt 4 rs.
CAST OF THE GREAT NAME.
-.-. -4-fsr ............H Henry K1ISe. !