The Washington herald., 1916-03-26
Across the New York Footlights
By George Jean Nathan

company, lost my program. Purpose
~.
Road to MsndaIay.v
At the Park Theater. as 1 write, a
musical comedy designated as THE Road
10 handalay," book BY W. H. Post, Esq,
tunes by Oreste Vessella, also esquire
Here, a show of the sort favorits OF the
populace fifteen and twenty years ago,
a masqus Of the sort in which De Wolf
Hopper used to play the Panjandrum
Of -PanJundram. Frank Daniels the
Poohgun OF Punhgan and Francis
Wilson the Crasho of Slipbag, the
sort in which they used to carry the
leading comedian in on a magnin-
Gently embellished platform from which
the leading comedian was won't to de-
scend, via a flight OF comedy stairs, on
his trousers seat. And in which the plot
was finally cleared up by the arrival of
Lieut.. Jack Derringforth in hossy white
uniform at the head OF the United States
chorus men marines.
Into this messy libretto. Mr.. Vessella
has inserted a score equally banal and
echoful. The company interpreting the
opus includes Frank Pollock, Leola Lucey
and Herbert CorthelI. The chorus girls
harmonic with the Hbretto. The scenic
investiture harmonlzes with the chorus
girls.
Henry Eighth"
At the New Amsterdam. Herbert Beer
bohm Tree is presenting Henry Eighth"
with which he achieved prosperous Sc
rtes Of performances some half dozen of
years ago in his native capital OF his
representation, subsidized by several
American gentlemen OF wealth and mark
ing the approaching occasion OF the Sooth
anniversary Of the death of Shakespeare,
It may be said that It reveals a signally
excellent performance of the role of
Henry by Lyn Harding, several scenic
pictures that duel effectively with the
eye, q text slashed this way and that
yet justihably, Of course, in view OF the
inOrdinate length and relative unimpor-
lance OF divers portions OF the choronicle
playa not by any means skillful per-
Torrance of Wolsey by Tree himself,
some slipshod ensemble work, q mediocre
performance Of Edith Wynne Matthison
as Katherine, and some rather good and
some rather inept stage direction. It is
Mr.. Harding to whom the chief honors
Of the occasion belong. Hts performance,
in humor, poise and intelligence of read
ing, with makeup RARELY like the Hol-
bein OF Henry, is of compelling grade.
OF the pageant play itself, 1t Is to be
recorded that Mr. Tree has compressed
the hve acts OF the manuscript into three
and has lodged his theatrical arrows
chiefly at the scenic investiture. In the
latter department he has proved him
self not so effective as our American Mr..
Hackett, though the massive settings of
the banquet hall and of Blackfriars pos
sess still sweeping, albeit somewhat
Anticipated, appeal 10 the auditorium eye.
This presentation of the play Is the only
one vouChsafed New York since Irving
and Terry's engagement at the Knicker-
booker Theater some twenty-five years
ago. Much OF the cutting of the text as
negotiated by the present impressario,
such as the excision OF much in the
lengthy addresses Of Buckingham and
the illusions to the reformation, assists
in lending a tonic OF speed to the other
wise numbering manuscript, though, on
the opening night at least, the stage
crew periodically sought to delete this
so gained element OF pace quickening.
Mr.. Trees woIsey.
Mr.. Trees wolsey is a picturesque and
comma Rding Wolsey in the externals
alone. The actor has become addicted to
the cinema mode OF exaggerated facial
expression and gestures TO such a degree
that much of his reading becomes
PATIENTLY superficial and bereft of intrin-
sic force. His voice, too, Is possessed of
a dryness that causes his delivery, as the
evening wears on, to grow a trife mo-
nOtonous.
Despite its obvious deficiencies, how
ever, the general exhibition Is not with
out It's share OF interest at this time. The
musical accompaniment is, in particular,
well directed. Among the others In the
company-saving those already named
are Lionel Braham, as the Lord Calm
berlain; Frederick Eric. as Norfolk, and
Charles Dalton, as the unhappy Buck
inghsm Willette Kershaw is an attrac-
tive Anne. The audience at the premiere
was vociferous, and Mr.. Tree stepped
forth and made a speech stepped in
paseantry.