New-York tribune., 1911-09-20
"DISRAELI" AT WALLACKS
History, Biography and Acting,
According to Parker and Arliss.

II the world were governed and great
affairs Of commerce and finance were ad-
miuistered as the stage writer's ana stage
players of the day would have the play
going portion of the world believe, the
daily lot Of humanity would be chaotic IN
its horror and despair Mr.. Louis y.
Parker he's said recently in magazine
article: II really think I could turn wash
ing list into passahle talk" There is not
the slightest doubt that he could do so,
hut there is serious doubt that the owner
Of the laundered articles would be able 20
recognize the conversational underwear. In
his newest play now crowding the house
AZ Wallsck's. Mr. Parker furnishes with
the invaluable aid Of George Arliss an en-
tortainment Of a very attractive kind, hut
ne lets history perform such antics as suit
his scene. while biography turns summer
sets" whenever the prompter turns a page.
AS for statecraft. the wonder must he. on
tho part Of that vast and increasing num-
her Of humans who seem 10 take from tho
stage their notions of men and things of
rrore than fifteen or twenty years ago, that
BENJAMIN Dsrael, If he We're like the
Prime Minister in this play could ever
have risen above the grade of a fourth
I
papcrs about I'm the most careless manner;
ne employs a dunderhead as secretary and
sends him 10 Egypt on a mission Of grave
Importance TO the nations, and 10 England
most OF all: and he tricks the Bank %
England with q bluff Ike that of hunco-
gteeror But an things are fair Iu war and
playwritlnc The liberties which Mr.. Parker
takes with fact uecome the delights Of all
who are less impressed with life than with
stage fiction.
II Mr. Parkor's DisraeU Is not much like
the great statesman, Mr.. Arliss looks like
Disraoli. looks him 10 the life, dresses Ike
him. moves Ike him; I'm his suave moments
and his silent. reflective moments, I'm his
swift changes from gravity 20 banter In
his gelf.commaud before insult, I'm his
drawing room manner he is Wonderfully
Ike him. I'm hi7 domestic manner presuma-
bly, like him in his Official and state mali
nor very ike him. but iu some traits not
like him AT all. lie suggests neither the
gorgeous imagery of Disraeu's nature
nor the biting satire and tremendous scorn
which his adversaries knew so we'll Dis
raelTs sardonic wit and a certain majesty
I'm his moments OF great stress are not
conveyed by the actor, scarcely suggested.
But nearly all the external man f. there,
and so much ~ the inner man that Mr..
Arliss's performance must take high rank
among the representations Of Tire cortem-
porarv theatre. It IS not the fault Of the
actor II he has not the quality Of voice
which those who heard Disrlcll on the
hustings or In the House Of Commons can
well remember, or that he seems for the
most part too soft and purring. Nature
must be reckoned with somehow. Most
folk I'm the pltlic which Mr. Arliss now
addresses viii not know the difference. But
I'm London this Disraeli might not be ac-
coptcl in such a wholesale fashion. and
without venturng on the hazardous paths
of prophecy it may be guessed that the
play itself would need there a more sophis-
tiedtsd construction.
The play is all George Arlss. built for
him, built around him, and il might almost
have been built by him. so constantly and
effectively does ne dominate the scenes
When he is Off the stage there is moth
ing People move and talk-that is all
but the spectator is not interested IN them
Tie nobility are waxwOrks. and the 9TH
ers shades. There Is lacking here the
nice adjustment OF all things 10 one end
that graced the production Of "Pomander
walk; there is less atmosphere" here
If that word conveys the entire meaning
Yet the entertainment is pleasing. none
more so az this hour, and that is because
OF an ancient reason-eXceptiOnal acting;
exceptionally fine acting makes an audi
eucc Indifferent TO the ordinary defects OF
the stage And Mr.. Arliss's acting is ex-
ceptionally fine. II he were not hy nature
so soft OF voice his impersonation would
gain greatly But. apart from what mas
been said. 30 seems impossible that any
one else could enact Disraeh so well as he.
II he were 10 be criticised 81 all. ~ would
be not 80 mu-h for what he does a. Tor
what he does not give 10, or suggest In,