New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-19

: two Wills In the great .coro ,.,,., ocers
adequate compensation o. ~ -. :,
construction That is as nownr,,I ana %
moving as the wonderful, ...ra q, pnrn-
STEMS Thief" II prove, ,ha, MI. irving
when she finds a part worth, -, ,or nm.
| forced. natural style OF acttn. oo,, 40 100,
work and carry everyth,n, 80. -.
| In Witness for the De,snco,, NJ Ala,
ander sacrifices the logical ,a,,aaro,.. .,
the play ior the sake OF making the bar
rls'ef more agreeable character, The
witness would not be anxious 70 break of
the WIDOWS second love affair 1. he were
hot hlihseH eager TO marry her. He had
MS own motive for Intervention in the case
both IN India and in Sussex: but conceal
ment of II while detracting from tho nlau-
sibility OF the play tended 10 make the
character more disinterested and Ice o.
fensive. Courage is required II Tho actor
manager deliberately prefers 70 r.,a,n the
repellent features OF a leading mart ord ,-
is not always tempered with discre,,or
Mr.. Fred Terry carries IL to tho vargc ~
recklessness IN The PopiniaY, nroducAd
this week at the New Theatre THE "a ths
four-act play by Mr.. Boyle Iawrance and
Mr.. Fred Mouillot based upon Daudet,s
"Rols en- Exil." in which decadent mon.
arch. Indifferent 10 the dignity and obl,gs-
lions Of royal state. is contras,ed win q
noble hearted, virtuous and patriotic Green
MI Terry does not spare the black naint
IN oarkening the shadows of contrast. He
converts the Popinjay into a despicable
creature without single klnely trait.
NNhoOt sign OF reluctance the popular
actor diScards the bravado and tovous
s"asSeF or the Scarlet Pimpernel and
other heroic swashbucklers. and imperson-
ates with evident zest the degenerate King
OF Carpathia as the dupe OF money lenders
suo pohucal Adventures, the tipsy knight
oI ulssraceful amours. and the sordid
gambler, who sells decorations and titles.
pa"hs me jewels Of his crown. raises the
"luo py making bargain with republican
hulsuers Tor his abdication, and Is ON the
point OF signing away his sons birthright
when the Queen saves the situation. II Is
an excellent. consistent performance. by
Which sympathy Is repealed from beginning
10 end; and apart from embodying the
satire and cynicism Of Daudets novel Il
deepens the tone Of the background OF vul-
garlty and vile bohemanism and brings
out by contrast the nobility and virtue OF
~~AN'A eNiN icIOiC queen. III may
DO that Mr.. Terry felt under obligation TO
subordinate his own talents TO Miss Julia
Nelson's charm and power when he has
ordinarily had the better parts Certainly
TINS 10 an admirable play for her. and che
makes a most effective use Of her oppor-
tunity as sn actress
Not since her appearance in Sweet Nell
or Old Drury' has this actress sntoyed 81
complete triumph as In The Popiniav"
The pretty women on the stage were SER
viceaole foils for her own radiant beauty
IN her gorgeous gowns. Her stately dignity
was as apparent when she was repelling
the impertinent affronts OF Adventures and
nunkeys as when she was addressing her
loyal subjects with melodious voice from
the window or receiving their homage in
the splendid tableau Of the restoration of
her son TO power. Rarely has she acted
with SO much distinction and brilnancy. or
been rewarded with more appreciation and
enthusiasm by a first night audience.
Whether this cynical portrayal Of the deca-
dence OF monarchy is a felicitous theme for
the coronation year is another issue alto
gether. Miss Nelson's triumph as an
actress is not affected by a matter of Cd.
portunism; nor is Mr.. Terry's sound tudg-
ment as an artist in massing the darks
for contrast in the background for the fig
IRE OF the radiant queen. INF.