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Article THE THEATRES, &c. Page 1 of 1 Article THE THEATRES, &c. Page 1 of 1 Article ROSE CROIX. Page 1 of 1
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The Theatres, &C.
THE THEATRES , & c .
HaymarkOt . —After onr latest visit to thia theatre we wero led to a consideration of the question , —To what extreme limits will tho present generation of playwrights venture ? Mr . Gilbort's " Topsytnrveydom" will soon be far distanced if tho present nigo for sensation and startling surprises is not chocked . Each new piece presented brings us a fresh theory for contemplation , and in far too
many cases we feel thafc wasted has been , any time we may have spent in endeavouring to provide an adequate or reliable solution for the author ' s motives . Surely so experienced a writer as Mr . Sydney Grundy mnsfc have known he was outraging all accepted traditions when he formulated the idea thafc his village priest must break the seal of the confessional in order thafc he , the commissioned
playwright , could snpply workable material for those to whom was to bo entrusted fche " creating " of their several " parts . " In these advanced days when toleration in all that pertains to the several phases of belief is considered almost an essential , he must be a bold man who dare venture even to hint at snch an eventuality occurring as a betrayal of the secrets of fche confessional . Five minntes conversation
with any intelligent priest will suffice for the average mind to grasp the details of fche responsibility cast by the Eomish Chnrch upon its teachers in regard to what is herein required of them , and we ventnre to assert thafc no stings of conscience will assail the trne exponent of the doctrine of his religion when he knows he has faithfnlly carried out his trust . Again , the meek , contented AbbjJ Dubois
of Mr . Grundy ' s version of " Le Secret de la Terreuse , —so admirably personified by Mr . Beerbohm Tree , —after nineteen years custodianship of so important a secret , and fully realising his position aa confessor , could never have approached even the consideration of becoming an apostate . We fear , however , thafc if we continue in this strain our readers may incline to tediousness . So
much has been written on tho " motif" and groundwork of "The Village Priest , " since its production lasfc week , thafc the average playgoer has had ample opportunity to formulate if not fco sum np his own conolusions . The first scene represented shows us the deceased Judge ' s Library , and here we learn from his blind widow thafc he was , in fche eyes of the world , a man of unblemished
reputation . Hore we are introduced to Armand D'Arcay ( Mr . Fred Terry ) , a rising barrister , who professes a strong attachment ; for Marguerite ( Mrs . Tree ) , the daughter of the Comtesse de Trcmeillan . Here also we make tho acquaintance of JeanTorquenie ( Mr . James Fernandez ) Torquenie has been condemned to death for the murder of the Comtesso ' s husband , but afc the instance of the " upright jndge , " he
has had his sentence commuted to 20 years' penal servitude . iSiuotoon years have elapsed , and we find that Torquenie has esoapml from confinement , wifch bat one desire , —that of establishing hia innocence . He relates bis story to D'Arcay , whom ho implores to aid him . Bnt when tho barrister , who is well acquainted with the details of the case—it ranking as a eati . se cdlebrd—hears Torqnenio ' s
charge thafc it was his own father who was tho guilty man , he realizes thafc the missing link in the chain of evidence has been supplied , and moreover thafc fche lady he desires to make bis wife is the daughter of his own father . Torquenie learns thafc his daughter Jeanne ( Miss Norreys ) has been brought up by Madame D'Arcay , and thafc sho is a resident under the roof that covers them now . Torquenie
haa never seen his child , and prays Armand to procure him an interview . This prayer is granted by the barrister , but Jeanne , who has been brought up in the belief thafc hor father is a murderer , shrinks from him in terror when sho learns Torquenie is her father . This scene was splendidly played throughout by all concerned . Tho second Act introduces us to the Abbo Dubois ( Mr . Beerbohm
Tree ) , whom we find badgered and abused by his housekeeper Madeleine ( Mrs . E . H . Brooke ) . In due course Torquenie appears to enlist fche help of the Abbo , and here again a finely worked np scone results . This is interrupted by tho appearance of tho gendarmes who are in searfch of the escaped prisoner ; he is , however , shielded by fche Abbe , who is well aware Torquenie has been condemned unjustly .
Tho third and fourth Acts develop the story , but we feel we may leave it fco our readers' to see how the plot works out . In tho fifth Act we come to what we consider the blot in tho whole story . Tho Abbe has decided to betray fche secrets of the confessional , and so clear the convict . Torquenie , however , resolves to sacrifice himself , and when the gendarmes again seek him he surrenders
himself rather than bring disgrace on tho innocent lady , who has watched over and befriended his child . This is , briefly , an outline of the plot . To the artists fco whom its development was entrusted no praise can be too high . Mr . Tree , ever careful , gavo us a splendid conception of the gentle and true-hearted Abbo , Mr . Fernandez has never been seen more fervent , and his dual scenes in this play
will live in the memory of all who may be privileged to witness them . Mr . Fred Terry literally astonished us , so rapid is the progress he has mado in his profession . To Miss Eose Leclercq was entrusted the difficult parfc of the Comtesse de Trcmeillan , and wo do not know another lady who could more adequately have fulfilled the requirements of the author . The work will doubtless be " touched up , " and then wo feel assured ifc will command a run .
Shaftesbury . —If "Dick Venables" attains any permanent success at the Shaftesbury , tho credit will be due to Mr . Willard , fche creator of the principal parfc , and nofc fco the author of the play . The author , Mr . Arthur Law , may claim tho credit , suoh as ifc is , of originality . Let us hasten , however , to explain what we mean . The poet laureate says truly , in his In Memoriam , " Common is the
commonplace , " and this aphorism is well illustrated in Mr . Law's latest effort . The well-worn , wo had almost said , the worn-out materials which form tho basis of transpontine melodrama aro tho sum and substance of Mr . Law ' s play . Thoso to whom tho halfpenny novellette and the penny Family Herald afford sufficing mental pabulum may find satisfaction in " Dick Venables . " Bufc Mr . Law's
The Theatres, &C.
originality lies iu his treatment of these materials ia so peculiar a fashion that he has produced nofc a comedy , nofc a drama , not a burlesque , bufc a comic burlesque drama . The pity of it is , however , not so mnch that Mr . Law has written the play , but that Mr . Willard is condemned to interpret ifc . Our readers shall judge whether we aro too sovero . Mrs . Lisle , the wife of Dick Venables , a convict
serving his term at Wildmoor , thinking hor husband is dead , because she had read that he had been shot in attempting to escape , chooses Wildmoor , of all places , in tho world , to forget her hideous past . Mrs . Lisle , be it observed , is a gentlo creature , and the wonder is that so gentle a girl has married a man without one redeeming quality . Her friends are Archdeacon Jellicoe , his wifo and daughter , and a
Doctor Pagansteoher . With a subtle sense of the humour of things , the Archdeacon is represented as a confirmed kleptomaniac , and the Doctor is so much of a lunatic , thafc in the neighbourhood of Wildmoor Jail he has untold treasures of precious stones , kept in an ordinary cabinet , and tells his man-servant of their value , having chosen the said servant after an examination of his bumps . A new
governor is appointed at Wildmoor Jail , in the person of Captain Lankester , nephew of Archdeacon Jollicoe , who , recognising iu Mrs . Lisle au old sweetheart , propo ^ os to her and is accepted . Bufc just as the happy lovers part Dick Venables , having escaped from Wildmoor , and wounded one of fche pursuing warders , who shortly after dies , appears on the scene and compels his wife to pass him
off as her brother . He has grim conversations with the prison governor , who has of course been told by Mrs . Lisle thafc she cannot marry him . Husband and wife are about to leave the neighbourhood wheu Dr . Pagansteoher's servant , who is a criminal , and immediately recognises Venables , insists on his remaining , in order to aid in the robbery of Dr . Pagansteoher ' s jewels . Mr . Law evidently does not
believe in honour among thieves , for the servant in question , though he declares he would never round on a pal , keeps Venables afc Wildmoor ,. knowing at the time that he is in danger of being hanged ; and finally denounces him in his true character when he imagines he haa tricked him over the robbery of the jewels . With suoh materials what could actors do ? They did all thafc was possible . Mr . Alfred
Bishop , as the Archdeacon , and Mr . E . W . Garden , as tho phrenological doctor , succeeded in making the audience laugh with them and not at them . Misa Annio Rose , as the Archdeacon ' s daughter , was pretty and makes a perfect ingdnue . Mrs . Canninge was good as Lady Harriet Jellicoe , bufc she had next to no opportunities . Mr . Elwood , as Captain Lankaster , was a manly lover , though his utterance was nofc as distinct as ifc might have been . Miss Olga
Brandon had a thankless part , bufc was too good an artist not to score a success . Bnt the honour fell to Mr . Willard . Thafc he was able to save such a play from failure thafc he secured , and rightly , fche genuine applause of the audience , shows what a consummate actor he is . But the part is nofc worthy of Mr . Willard , and it is because we wish to see him assume r 61 es more worthy of himself that we feel constrained to condemn Mr . Arthur Law ' s play .
Rose Croix.
ROSE CROIX .
— : o : —¦ HUBERT DE BURGH CHAPTER .
A MEETING of this Chapter ( 18 th Degree ) was held afc fcho Freemasons' Hall , Dover , on fche 25 th ult . Bco . Dr . C . C . Walter was installed as M . W . S ., succeeding Bro . W . J . Bordeaux , and the Officers appointed weie : —Bros . J . D . Terson Prelate , VV . Pearse 1 st General , Major-Gen . T . Cummings 2 nd General , E . Lukey ( 30 deg . P . M . W . S ., Mayor of Dover ) Treasurer , J . D . Terson
P . M . W . S . Recorder , \ V . Smith ( Deputy Mayor ) Grand Marshal , W . 0 . Kennett Raphael , E . Lukey D . C , J . U . Terson lsfc Herald , J . J . Wright 2 nd Herald , A . J . Crane Captain of fche Guard , Captain H . T . Naylor Organist , L . Marsh Equerry . Bro . Colonel G . N . Mony , C . B .,
o 3 deg ., was present , and this being his firsfc visit since his election aa Inspector-General of the South Eastern District , he was congratu . lated by the brethren , and made an honorary member of tho Chapter . A vote of condolence was passed to Bro . J . Bordeaux upon his pro . traoted illness .
The annnal report of the General Committee of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational Institution states that the income of the institution last year was £ 1619 5 s 3 d , as compared with £ 822 4 s Id in 1888 , and
has only been exceeded in one year . Relief grants were made amounting to £ 229 , and grants for education to the amount of £ 259 . A sum of £ 8114 6 s 3 d is now invested . Applications for relief were not so numerous last year as in 1888 .
The installation meeting of the Lodge of Sfc . John , No . 1306 , was held on-Wednesday , at the Three Nuns Hotel , Aldgate , Bro . W . 0 . Swetman being installed as Worshipful Master . We shall give a report of the proceedings nexfc week .
IIOTXOWAY ' S Or-mtEj-T AI-D Pitts . —Rheumatism and Gout . —Theso purifvin " and soothing remedies demand tho earnest attention r . f all parsons liable to gout , sciatica , or other painful affections of tlio muse o .-s norv . s , or j- iuts Thc Ointment should bo applied after tho affected parts hnvs been pa ' ient / y fomented with warm water , when tho un ^ uem , should bo dili 'ontlv rubbed
upon tho adjacent skin unless tho friction should cause pain . TloIIiwa . ' s Pills should bo simultaneously taken , to reduce inflammation and to purify iho blood . This treatment abates tho violence , and lasso is tho fre-mo'i .-y of gout , rheumatism , and all sp . nsrmdic diseases , which sprint ? from herediiary " pro ' disposition , or froru any accidental weakness of constitution . Ti . is Ointment checks the local mUcliiof . The I'ilU restoro thc vital power *! .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Theatres, &C.
THE THEATRES , & c .
HaymarkOt . —After onr latest visit to thia theatre we wero led to a consideration of the question , —To what extreme limits will tho present generation of playwrights venture ? Mr . Gilbort's " Topsytnrveydom" will soon be far distanced if tho present nigo for sensation and startling surprises is not chocked . Each new piece presented brings us a fresh theory for contemplation , and in far too
many cases we feel thafc wasted has been , any time we may have spent in endeavouring to provide an adequate or reliable solution for the author ' s motives . Surely so experienced a writer as Mr . Sydney Grundy mnsfc have known he was outraging all accepted traditions when he formulated the idea thafc his village priest must break the seal of the confessional in order thafc he , the commissioned
playwright , could snpply workable material for those to whom was to bo entrusted fche " creating " of their several " parts . " In these advanced days when toleration in all that pertains to the several phases of belief is considered almost an essential , he must be a bold man who dare venture even to hint at snch an eventuality occurring as a betrayal of the secrets of fche confessional . Five minntes conversation
with any intelligent priest will suffice for the average mind to grasp the details of fche responsibility cast by the Eomish Chnrch upon its teachers in regard to what is herein required of them , and we ventnre to assert thafc no stings of conscience will assail the trne exponent of the doctrine of his religion when he knows he has faithfnlly carried out his trust . Again , the meek , contented AbbjJ Dubois
of Mr . Grundy ' s version of " Le Secret de la Terreuse , —so admirably personified by Mr . Beerbohm Tree , —after nineteen years custodianship of so important a secret , and fully realising his position aa confessor , could never have approached even the consideration of becoming an apostate . We fear , however , thafc if we continue in this strain our readers may incline to tediousness . So
much has been written on tho " motif" and groundwork of "The Village Priest , " since its production lasfc week , thafc the average playgoer has had ample opportunity to formulate if not fco sum np his own conolusions . The first scene represented shows us the deceased Judge ' s Library , and here we learn from his blind widow thafc he was , in fche eyes of the world , a man of unblemished
reputation . Hore we are introduced to Armand D'Arcay ( Mr . Fred Terry ) , a rising barrister , who professes a strong attachment ; for Marguerite ( Mrs . Tree ) , the daughter of the Comtesse de Trcmeillan . Here also we make tho acquaintance of JeanTorquenie ( Mr . James Fernandez ) Torquenie has been condemned to death for the murder of the Comtesso ' s husband , but afc the instance of the " upright jndge , " he
has had his sentence commuted to 20 years' penal servitude . iSiuotoon years have elapsed , and we find that Torquenie has esoapml from confinement , wifch bat one desire , —that of establishing hia innocence . He relates bis story to D'Arcay , whom ho implores to aid him . Bnt when tho barrister , who is well acquainted with the details of the case—it ranking as a eati . se cdlebrd—hears Torqnenio ' s
charge thafc it was his own father who was tho guilty man , he realizes thafc the missing link in the chain of evidence has been supplied , and moreover thafc fche lady he desires to make bis wife is the daughter of his own father . Torquenie learns thafc his daughter Jeanne ( Miss Norreys ) has been brought up by Madame D'Arcay , and thafc sho is a resident under the roof that covers them now . Torquenie
haa never seen his child , and prays Armand to procure him an interview . This prayer is granted by the barrister , but Jeanne , who has been brought up in the belief thafc hor father is a murderer , shrinks from him in terror when sho learns Torquenie is her father . This scene was splendidly played throughout by all concerned . Tho second Act introduces us to the Abbo Dubois ( Mr . Beerbohm
Tree ) , whom we find badgered and abused by his housekeeper Madeleine ( Mrs . E . H . Brooke ) . In due course Torquenie appears to enlist fche help of the Abbo , and here again a finely worked np scone results . This is interrupted by tho appearance of tho gendarmes who are in searfch of the escaped prisoner ; he is , however , shielded by fche Abbe , who is well aware Torquenie has been condemned unjustly .
Tho third and fourth Acts develop the story , but we feel we may leave it fco our readers' to see how the plot works out . In tho fifth Act we come to what we consider the blot in tho whole story . Tho Abbe has decided to betray fche secrets of the confessional , and so clear the convict . Torquenie , however , resolves to sacrifice himself , and when the gendarmes again seek him he surrenders
himself rather than bring disgrace on tho innocent lady , who has watched over and befriended his child . This is , briefly , an outline of the plot . To the artists fco whom its development was entrusted no praise can be too high . Mr . Tree , ever careful , gavo us a splendid conception of the gentle and true-hearted Abbo , Mr . Fernandez has never been seen more fervent , and his dual scenes in this play
will live in the memory of all who may be privileged to witness them . Mr . Fred Terry literally astonished us , so rapid is the progress he has mado in his profession . To Miss Eose Leclercq was entrusted the difficult parfc of the Comtesse de Trcmeillan , and wo do not know another lady who could more adequately have fulfilled the requirements of the author . The work will doubtless be " touched up , " and then wo feel assured ifc will command a run .
Shaftesbury . —If "Dick Venables" attains any permanent success at the Shaftesbury , tho credit will be due to Mr . Willard , fche creator of the principal parfc , and nofc fco the author of the play . The author , Mr . Arthur Law , may claim tho credit , suoh as ifc is , of originality . Let us hasten , however , to explain what we mean . The poet laureate says truly , in his In Memoriam , " Common is the
commonplace , " and this aphorism is well illustrated in Mr . Law's latest effort . The well-worn , wo had almost said , the worn-out materials which form tho basis of transpontine melodrama aro tho sum and substance of Mr . Law ' s play . Thoso to whom tho halfpenny novellette and the penny Family Herald afford sufficing mental pabulum may find satisfaction in " Dick Venables . " Bufc Mr . Law's
The Theatres, &C.
originality lies iu his treatment of these materials ia so peculiar a fashion that he has produced nofc a comedy , nofc a drama , not a burlesque , bufc a comic burlesque drama . The pity of it is , however , not so mnch that Mr . Law has written the play , but that Mr . Willard is condemned to interpret ifc . Our readers shall judge whether we aro too sovero . Mrs . Lisle , the wife of Dick Venables , a convict
serving his term at Wildmoor , thinking hor husband is dead , because she had read that he had been shot in attempting to escape , chooses Wildmoor , of all places , in tho world , to forget her hideous past . Mrs . Lisle , be it observed , is a gentlo creature , and the wonder is that so gentle a girl has married a man without one redeeming quality . Her friends are Archdeacon Jellicoe , his wifo and daughter , and a
Doctor Pagansteoher . With a subtle sense of the humour of things , the Archdeacon is represented as a confirmed kleptomaniac , and the Doctor is so much of a lunatic , thafc in the neighbourhood of Wildmoor Jail he has untold treasures of precious stones , kept in an ordinary cabinet , and tells his man-servant of their value , having chosen the said servant after an examination of his bumps . A new
governor is appointed at Wildmoor Jail , in the person of Captain Lankester , nephew of Archdeacon Jollicoe , who , recognising iu Mrs . Lisle au old sweetheart , propo ^ os to her and is accepted . Bufc just as the happy lovers part Dick Venables , having escaped from Wildmoor , and wounded one of fche pursuing warders , who shortly after dies , appears on the scene and compels his wife to pass him
off as her brother . He has grim conversations with the prison governor , who has of course been told by Mrs . Lisle thafc she cannot marry him . Husband and wife are about to leave the neighbourhood wheu Dr . Pagansteoher's servant , who is a criminal , and immediately recognises Venables , insists on his remaining , in order to aid in the robbery of Dr . Pagansteoher ' s jewels . Mr . Law evidently does not
believe in honour among thieves , for the servant in question , though he declares he would never round on a pal , keeps Venables afc Wildmoor ,. knowing at the time that he is in danger of being hanged ; and finally denounces him in his true character when he imagines he haa tricked him over the robbery of the jewels . With suoh materials what could actors do ? They did all thafc was possible . Mr . Alfred
Bishop , as the Archdeacon , and Mr . E . W . Garden , as tho phrenological doctor , succeeded in making the audience laugh with them and not at them . Misa Annio Rose , as the Archdeacon ' s daughter , was pretty and makes a perfect ingdnue . Mrs . Canninge was good as Lady Harriet Jellicoe , bufc she had next to no opportunities . Mr . Elwood , as Captain Lankaster , was a manly lover , though his utterance was nofc as distinct as ifc might have been . Miss Olga
Brandon had a thankless part , bufc was too good an artist not to score a success . Bnt the honour fell to Mr . Willard . Thafc he was able to save such a play from failure thafc he secured , and rightly , fche genuine applause of the audience , shows what a consummate actor he is . But the part is nofc worthy of Mr . Willard , and it is because we wish to see him assume r 61 es more worthy of himself that we feel constrained to condemn Mr . Arthur Law ' s play .
Rose Croix.
ROSE CROIX .
— : o : —¦ HUBERT DE BURGH CHAPTER .
A MEETING of this Chapter ( 18 th Degree ) was held afc fcho Freemasons' Hall , Dover , on fche 25 th ult . Bco . Dr . C . C . Walter was installed as M . W . S ., succeeding Bro . W . J . Bordeaux , and the Officers appointed weie : —Bros . J . D . Terson Prelate , VV . Pearse 1 st General , Major-Gen . T . Cummings 2 nd General , E . Lukey ( 30 deg . P . M . W . S ., Mayor of Dover ) Treasurer , J . D . Terson
P . M . W . S . Recorder , \ V . Smith ( Deputy Mayor ) Grand Marshal , W . 0 . Kennett Raphael , E . Lukey D . C , J . U . Terson lsfc Herald , J . J . Wright 2 nd Herald , A . J . Crane Captain of fche Guard , Captain H . T . Naylor Organist , L . Marsh Equerry . Bro . Colonel G . N . Mony , C . B .,
o 3 deg ., was present , and this being his firsfc visit since his election aa Inspector-General of the South Eastern District , he was congratu . lated by the brethren , and made an honorary member of tho Chapter . A vote of condolence was passed to Bro . J . Bordeaux upon his pro . traoted illness .
The annnal report of the General Committee of the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational Institution states that the income of the institution last year was £ 1619 5 s 3 d , as compared with £ 822 4 s Id in 1888 , and
has only been exceeded in one year . Relief grants were made amounting to £ 229 , and grants for education to the amount of £ 259 . A sum of £ 8114 6 s 3 d is now invested . Applications for relief were not so numerous last year as in 1888 .
The installation meeting of the Lodge of Sfc . John , No . 1306 , was held on-Wednesday , at the Three Nuns Hotel , Aldgate , Bro . W . 0 . Swetman being installed as Worshipful Master . We shall give a report of the proceedings nexfc week .
IIOTXOWAY ' S Or-mtEj-T AI-D Pitts . —Rheumatism and Gout . —Theso purifvin " and soothing remedies demand tho earnest attention r . f all parsons liable to gout , sciatica , or other painful affections of tlio muse o .-s norv . s , or j- iuts Thc Ointment should bo applied after tho affected parts hnvs been pa ' ient / y fomented with warm water , when tho un ^ uem , should bo dili 'ontlv rubbed
upon tho adjacent skin unless tho friction should cause pain . TloIIiwa . ' s Pills should bo simultaneously taken , to reduce inflammation and to purify iho blood . This treatment abates tho violence , and lasso is tho fre-mo'i .-y of gout , rheumatism , and all sp . nsrmdic diseases , which sprint ? from herediiary " pro ' disposition , or froru any accidental weakness of constitution . Ti . is Ointment checks the local mUcliiof . The I'ilU restoro thc vital power *! .