The sun., 1918-11-19
THE BETROTHAL' IS
PLAY OF BEAUTY
Maeterlinck's Fairy Drama
Produced by Winthrop Ames
at the Shubert Theatre.
TWELVE SCENES IN PIECE
Color in Scenery ard Dresses
Causes Delight Music
Also Provided.
THE Betrothar'--At the shubert
Theatre,

NO memory Of the Ill fated New Thea
ire must be pleasanter to Winthrop Ames
than the success in this temple OF art
OF Maurice Maeterlinck's fairy play The
Blue Bird" That marked the zenith OF
the institutions existence as we'll as the
height OF Mr.. Amess achievement; so
II was natural he should be interested
In sequel to that first work.
Last night THE Betrothal," for such
the name Of the new work by the Bel
gian-very BelRian--Shekeepeare was
presented by Mr.. Ames at the Shubert
Theatre. There was not, of course, the
massive frame which revealed the first
work when 1t was seen here. but there
was little less elaboration in the manner
OF presenting the play.
There are three acts in the English
version done hy the inevitable Maeter-
linck translator, A. T. de Mattos. There
are twelve scenes in these Astounding
acts and their character may be judged
from their titles These are such as the
Woodcutter's Cottage, the Edge OF the
Forest. the Misers Cave and similar
localities likely to be found in a fairy
land OF Maeterlinck's or anybody else's
Invention.
Same Little Hero seen Again.
Just as the Blue Bird" was all about
Tyltvl and MytyI and their search for
happiness so is The Betrothal' about
the search of TyltvI for the woman who
Is to be the companion of his life. 1t is
the same old fairy who calls him to
undertake this journey, and its progress
Is similar TO that which was witnessed in
the earlier drama.
The choice is not to be made by the
boy alone. but with the assistance OF
all who have formed part of his life.
These are in the opinion of ". Maeter-
linck not only his ancestors back to the
first OF them. but also his descendants.
All these have their share in deter
mining the one he will love.
Accompanying the gypsy and the
youth are an unknown who eventually
proves to be the beloved OF Tyltyi, al
though he was too blind 10 know It.
Light, who guides them through their
adventures, and Destiny follow the
group. Then /there are the young
women who Nave won TvnyPs favor.
The philosophy OF the play seems to be
that happiness in ones betrothed Ia TO
be found. as 1t Is in ones bluebirds, not
far from home.
Mr. Ames had expended on this latest
specimen OF Maeterllnck's genius, there
was a symphonic accompaniment by
Eric Delamater Of Chicago, which Theo-
dore Spler!ng had been engaged TO con-
duct. Nothing had been neglected which
might make 1.-The Betrothal" so much OF
n success as its predecessor.
Beauty of the Spectacle.
And there was not minute in the
progress Of the play that did not bring
It's special beauties to the eye Of the
spectators. The swinging curtains which
from the teachings OF Gordon Craig, Mr..
Ames has often adopted in place OF tho
painted scenes, were impressive and
striking in line and color.
Indeed, the color both in scenery and
dresses was never otherwise than a de-
light, Blue. magenta, mauve and cobalt
these were the tones that dominated
and put the whole succession OF exauis-
tie views In the key of blue. There was
in occasional pictures a sense OF reaching
spaciousness and the intimation OF great
height added its !rnpressiveness to the
vistas. Material iovelinoss could not have
been carried further than 1t was In
every detail Of 1.-THE Betrothal"
Tho dances were full OF the spirit of
youth In their freedom and unconven-
tionality, while the pretty young women
as we'll as the grisly ancestors and the
nuttering children were grouped with
grace and eloquence. Mr.. Ames has
quite eaualled the beauties or his first
venture into the drama of Maeterlnck.
Text and Philosophy.
While the eye was all but glutted
with one feast OF tasteful loneliness after
another there was for the ear the eX-
pressive and appropriate score Of Eric
Delamater TO accompany the action OF
the play. And there was little else. The
English text Is either commonplace or
childish. II rarely rises In its literalness
above the average speech Of British
pantomime. OF poetry there Is Of course
no suggestion. II Is by 10 means sure
that the content OF the play deserves
any better form.
Luckily there was however. the beauty
of the action and the backgrounds as
well as some OF tho incidental tricks OF
mana cement, such as the gradual
shrinking OF the figure OF Destiny which
In the growth Of experience
and knowledge. grew less and less i'm
portant in the life OF the hero. This
was adrotly contrived Then the act
ing was excellent.
Edith Wynne Matthison read the
speeches Of Light with her accustomed
beauty OF voice and delivery and in a
robe OF shimmering gold was a don1i-
mating figure In every scene. Augustln
Duncan played the greatest OF the hero's
ancestors with fne dignity and intalli-
gence. Reggie Sheffield Yas manly and
engaging as the boy IN search OF his
wife. Cecil Yapps brief episode as
miser added It's share to the artistic
stature OF the achievement. which was
high. Mr. Ames has given New York
most exquisite and artistic spectacle.
which II should long enjoy.