New-York tribune., 1913-09-02
A NEW bENED|CK
John Drew in "MuCh Ado About
Nothing' at Empire Theatre.
AND A NEW BEATRICE
New York's Inaugural Produc-
tion of the Coming Shake
spearian Season.

dick in Much ADO ABOUT Notnins Al
the Empire Theatre last night marked.
so We have been told. the realization of a
long cherished ambition of his career.
The ambition is readily understood. for
through many years Mr.. Drew has been
playing lesser. far lesser Benedicks. fasn-
toned for seasons use by far inferior
hands after Shakespeare's immortal pro-
totype OF the character. Benedick is, In
deed. the incarnation OF the man OF the
world I'm the best sense OF the word.
man OF character. and OF high achieve
ment in the field. which he wears lightly,
which indeed. he somewhat pointedly IL
nores in the'intercourse OF peace. man
OF many social accomplishments. A
courtier esteemed by his prince. man
OF wit. tact and manners-note his
silences when Beatrice's speeches demand
replies beyond the bounds OF courtesy.
Somewhat OF a poseur, not only IN the
matter OF his mysogyny, sincere though
that be at bottom. Also A man not with
out his foibles. as Shakespeare slyly sus-
eests, not without his share Of the vanity
OF his sex. But true gentleman. and,
above all others. a true English gentle
man. as much OF our own time as OF the
spacious days OF Queen Elizabeth.
And how modern Beatrice is in all her
moods, The duel between these two that
ends in their mutual surrender Is thf
Fundamental form of that war Of the
sexes" which the present generation dis
cusses as a discovery OF its own, but
which Shakespeare understood far better
!. TOM cd
thousand lesser hands I'm fiction as N
drama, for where Benedick is there mus'
Beatrice be, his intellectual match anc
contrast. his true mate tn thought ant
feeling. giving royalty the noble, deer
womanhood she has so shrewdly DEFENDED
High. serious. noble comedy this. whlcf
has bestowed immortality upon the plot
and the minor characters which snake
speare took where he found them. This
plot-the story OF Hero and Claudio-ht
converted into a counterplot. these two
somewhat nsipid lovers. II lovers they
can be called into foils for the two cred'
tions OF hts own genius. And he ADDED
for good measure. Dogberry, the incarha'
ton OF self-suffcient British Phil!stinisu
NAlfn DluUQtIS HIbhhl @NAA- 49,
he and his companions OF the Mermaid
Tavern had good reason for disliking tht
constable and his watch.
A comedy Of human contrasts drawn
from the depths Of human nature and the
fulness Of human experience. strong
Benediek. weak Claudio; reoellious
Beatrice. submissive Hero. Friendship
sfvsFf tHNT AZ
villany punished-old age and youth ana
love triumphant-vhatm more can one ash
The performance last night was soon
but not a brilliant. one. MT. IRE"
Benedick is mostly cast In modern
mould. the transition from modern dres7
10 doublet and hose Is. indeed, rathe'
sudden He has excellent moments. how
ever. in the manner OF the traditions
the soliloquy at the beginning Of the nrs'
act for instance. In the eavesdroppins
scene ne surely suggests the fash oi
gratifed vanity that succeeds Benedlck
amusement at the revelation OF Beatrice !
love for him: and in the church scene ana
the quarrel with Claudio he Is romantic
In the manner Of modern romantic drama
Miss Crews labors under certain disad-
vsntages as Beatrice Her voice lacks
nexibiIity and range. her command OF
facial expression is limited. and IN her
manner and walk there Is suggestion
OF Madame Sans-Gene. which Is out OF
keeping with the conception Of great
lady OF the Italian Renaissance. She de-
livers her pert speeches shrewdly' but
not shrevishiy. however. again the mod
ern manner And In her long speech In
the church-"Ohi that | were a man. -
she rises 10 true eloquence. She earned
the long and hearty applause that
greeted IT,
Frank Kemble Coopers Don Pedro was
In the real Shakespcarian manner, Frank
Elliotts Don John coolly sinister, Fred.
Eric's Claudio boyish as he should be.
Henry Stephenson Leonato a grave and
reverend seignior. Hubert Bruce gave
Dogberry's amusing lines their proper
JUNCTION and pompousness Leondto
short daughter" in the stately inches OF
Mary Boland was sweetly appealing
The production Is elaoorately mounted
with pomp OF dance and court ceremo-
niai The womens dresses were hand
some and rich; those OF the men not
altogether discreet In coloring.
THE CAST