The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-28

player.
Ben-Ami is much more typical OF the
fiddish stage. He has all the faults
OF the actor trained in so narrow
school. There Is scarcely a trick Of the
old tragedian of the worst type that
he does not show at one time or an
other during the representation OF
$Samson and Delilah" Excessive ges-
ticulation, meaningless facial contor-
tons, over emphasis in every sentence,
all possible sound and fury signlfying
nothing-these are characteristics of the
stranger a { the Greenwich Village Thea
ire who is aiming to win a place in our
own theatre. lie is not without Il GER
tain hysterical power which is shown
in his attack on his rival in the second
act of Samson and Delilah' and there
is quiet interlude OF emotional struggle
in the same act which has it's eloquence
in suggesting that under other condi-
tons Ben-Ami might have been an actor
possessing some OF the polish and re-
straint which are demanded in It's ar
lists by every country. But there is
little more TO be observed In his present
performance than the results OF train
ing in bad school 1t seems moreover,
very definitely settled training. Mr.. Ben
Ami is plainly not experimenting. He
has formed his method.
He is, however. an interesting phe-
nomenon OF the current season and
seems destined TO receive the attention
and cause the discussion which 1t Is
difficult for even the least important
mediocrity 10 avoid nowadays In the
meantime. II is encouraging TO think
that the New York stage is just now
more or less thickly populated with
talented young actors who assure 1t
fai IN . afa
to come. Two Of them are to be seen
in Spanish Love" William X. Powell
liz able TO speak his accusations with
more dramatic force and his share in
this performance is generally more inn
pressive than James Renny's because
that is In the nature OF his role. IL Is
a vivid portrait of suffering Jealousy
that Mr.. Powell adds to the highly
colored scenes OF life in Spain. Mr..
Kenny has no such opportunity 70 i'm
press himself actively on the play. But
he speaks in a clear and polished die
ton which Is n delight because II rs
so rare among the younger actors az the
stage. Then Mr.. Kenny is decora tive
and moves with grace and sense OF the
pictorial that keeps him constantly In
the eye when he Is on the stage. IL
John Barrymore altogether disappoints
Mr. Hopkins when Il comes TO Hamlet,
we'll there is Mr. Kenny who would GER
tsinly repay the managers trouble.
Henry Hulrs Improvement in when
We Are Young" which Is on view at
the Broadhurst Theatre. is a guarantee
that a delightful comedian Is TO be en-
1oyed in the near future, a comedian
who will carry on the best traditions OF
that branch OF the actors art just as
Lester wallack, John Drew and the
royal line OF the American theatre rep
resented them. Alan Dinehart's present
performance In THE Mirage" is fine
study Of outstanding American manhood,
although there is in the character less
Of the idealism and imagination which
Mr.. Dinehart so strildngly exhibited in
THE Challenge" william Raymond
has increased the number OF exception
ally skilful performances recently on
view by his def comedy as the Amer
lean in THE Lady Of the Lamp"
Philip Merivale is not an American.
nor is lie in any sense a beginner. vet
his study Of the bashful young lawyer
in Call the Doctor" would have 10 be
included in any list OF fine performances
during the present season. Mr.. Merivale
has frequently been seen In New York
before, but the Mr.. Merivale Of the play