New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-08
BY HECTOR TURNBULL.

The old French mclodrama "A Cele-
brated Case" which was first produced
in this country at the Union Square
Theatre in 1878, was revived last night
at the Empire Theatre. with one of the
most notable casts the playgoers OF
this city are likely TO see in some time.
This all star assemblagc and the fact
that the revival marked the first joint
production of David Belasco and
Charles Frohman since they presented
The Girl l Left Behind Me- twenty
three years ago, brought an enthusl-
astic gathering 10 the theatre, deter
mined at all events to like the play
and the players and TO DELAY the pom
derous action of the old mclodrama
with prolonged applause until they
were weary.
The play. as might be expected, IS q
genuine antique, in two-act prologue
and four acts. u was chosen because
its many scenes, its many characters
and its many passionate passages
seemed TO provide the best medium Tor
a display Of the talents OF the cast oi
well known players. II appeared 10 ne
q wise choice, indeed, for the prologue
begins with a murder and robbery and
ends with the falsely accused victim,
who is also the husband OF the muir
dcred woman and the father Of the
child that condemns him, being sent
forthwith to the galleys in chains. The
play proper begins with the daughter,
now adopted By noble family, meet
ing her prisoner father twelve years
after. Haunted by his face and his
voice, and believing absolutely IN his
innocence, she determines 10 set HIM
free. How her young girl friend ms
covers the guilty man, and how pair
of lovers and father and daughter arc
reunited. is all developed in the remain
ing three acts Of turbulent drama.
For many reasons it is obviously un-
fair in describing such a cast in such
q play TO attempt anything like crit
zeal ANALYSIS Of the players merits IN
their various roles. Most of them are
beloved by theatregoers, and their
work has been admired and remem-
bered with pleasure for many seasons
in many plays. To see these players
in costume voicing lines from when
the ancient melodramatic banalities
cannot be eliminated comes somewhat
as a shock. but once the plunge IS
taken the affair may be looked upon
as a gala occasion, like a fancy dress
hall. in which one may see digntarles
at strange play and which one should
be grateful to be privileged to attend.
Nat Goodwin, for instance, IS BLUM
and iovial Denis O'Rourke, who man
ages TO get quite as much fun out OF
his character as the Sergeant as the
audience. Otis Skinner plays the con-
demned man. who is finally cleared and
restored TO his rights. His magnetic
voice has never been put TO such a
test rs the various scenes eXacted.
Frederic de Belleville was the most
imposing and well upholstered Duke
that ever trod the boards, and played
with his usual dignity and command.
Robert Warwick was the real muir
derer, and appeared first as a vagabond
camp follower, and later as grand
gentleman about TO claim dead
mobiles estates.
Eugene O'Brien played the heroic
young lieutenant lover of the lar
Adrienne. Adrienne was rather Sc
we're test to Ann Murdoch. for IT IS
role that is fraught with tears, faints
and various other forms of emotion
but she managed to acquit herself very
creditably. Elita Proctor OTIS was the
Chanoinesse, and Florence Reed gave
splendid performance as IiC bHi O.
entine. Helen Ware was the poor Tor
giving wife, and was obliged to be
murdered in the prologue. Beverly
Sitgreaves and Minna Gale Haynes
both PLAYED their comparatively small
roles with their usual skill. Other
minor roles were capably filled.
"A Celebrated Case" IS to be played,
il is announced. for a limited engage
ment at the Empire. so it is hardly
necessary to add here a recommends
ton of the revival to playgoers. II is
a production that is rare indeed, and Of
a kind that only sees the light when
two such distinguished managers as
Belasco and Frohman are seized with
one of those strange whims that bring
rival refuses out Of their dens and
onto neutral ground to join forces in
a great idea.