The Observer du lieu suivant : London, Greater London, England • 5

THE OBSERVER, SUNDAY. JANCAKY 31, 1969. AT RANDOM. ART NOTES. AT THE PLAY.

DRAMATIS PERSONE. the part of Hans Sachs, and despite occa-aiana troubles obviously created." by the use bf the English language, it was a sympathetic, natural and well-sung performance. Mrs. Freaee-Green looked exceedingly winsome and charming as Eva. acted with much spirit, and sang quite artistically.

The in tho third act was as a -piece of ensemble' singing as one could wish to hear, and. in it Mrs. that she possesses a delicate mezza-voce which deserves a greater use than the artist seems inclined to' give. As Walther von Stoking, Walter Hyde set the seal on his success this season. There is do questioning the fact that this young artist will play an important part in the coming development of English operatic art.

He is sound and conscientious, keeps himself well in reserve, and is rapidly improving vocally. He managed Wilthex's trying but beautifully music with consummate ability. Mr. Thomas Meux proviHed a Beck-mcsser which, from the point of individuality of treatment, can stand comparison with- any other interpretation of the part we have seen in London. Fox once in a way the hyffo side of the character was practically eliminated.

Beckmesser is not really comic in himself it is his perverse pedantry oozing out in every thought and movement that provides, a. certain elemental humour to the careless on speech that intelligibility for tbe hearer which constitutes lor mm- its nrst essential oi enec-tiveness- There is poetry in it, no But poetry the lines of which aro practically unspeakable misses its mark alike, for actor and audience. That Fippa Passes was ever intended for actual representation is hardly suggested by the -unattractive conditions of the casual toilet and sketchy ablutions which the heroine makes on getting out of bed, while she lengthily soliloquises over the prospects of her annual holiday. Miss Isabel Roland as Pippa, went through, the difficult scene discreetly enough, and spoke her lines with fair variety of A much belter opportunity, however, for acting was that of which Mr. Gordon Bailey and Miss Lucy Wilson availed themselves with such spirit as the pair of guilty lovers, Sebald and Ottima, who arc the first "to feel the magic effects of Pippas passing in her joy ol innocence.

Eetween their episode and that of the trouble between the married couple, Jules and Phene, there is, of course, no connection apart from the inexplicable susceptibility to Pippa's songs ten-derlv set, by the way, by Mme. Chryse Davids which these four share in common with the subsequently introduced rebel, Luigi, with the Intsndant and w-ith The final-discovery that Pippa is Monsignor's niece seems a concession to melodrama providing in its -little link of. plot the one exception to the rule of and' it cannot be honestly said that Mr. Max Monlesole and Mr. C.

A. Collins were able to give it any serious interest. For the rest," the modest simplicity of the sei-i-ing suppjieaj zor tae piece oy lub amwy under the errttrasrastic sroidanoe of Mr. Nugent be credited with full artistic capar city tor aemonsxrasmg tae aramaw limitations of He poetic- production. PALACE THEATRE.

Of the new turns at the Palace, the most important is a sketch by -Messrs. S. Blow arid G. Bellamy, called "Number Two," which, if rather tasteless in subject, -is quite bright and occasionally quite witty in treatment. It sets forth the casual meeting in a Bond-street tea-shop of a widower and widow, who, being imprisoned there by a storm, drift into mutual confidences concerning the heavy mourning which it seems each wears merely in compliance with the terms of ah eccentric will.

With a rapidity which perhaps helps to explain the astounding prosperity of refreshment Tesorts unknown to tho past generation of philanderers and flirts, the tea shop acquaintance develops into an engagement and a happy ending which is also, let. us trust, a happy beginning for "Number Two:" For He and "She," as the bereaved lovers are described on tho. bill, pleasantly easy. representatives am at hand. in Mr.

Herbert Sleath and Miss Ellis Jeffreys, whose verbal sparring is conducted with much animation, though one cannot help, feeling that in the cafe of the actress rare gifts of. comedy are being somewhat wastefuuy employed. Another prominent feature of Mr. Butt's capital programme is the reappearance of Miss Vesta Tilley with a trio- of new ditties, in which she well -keeps up her reputation as the best boy of the variety stage. Although it is not tdl to-morrow week that Miss Maud Allan, now thoroughly recovered from her sprain, reappears here in the evening, Mr.

Butt has arranged for her a special matinee next Friday, when she will introduce a series of new dances. MUSIC. "THE ANGELUS." Dr. Xaylor la quite evidently not at. all tn stuv pathy with modem notiona ot composition.

Tunes." lie seems to suffer from an almost, complete- lack oi acquaintance -with contemporary operatic' literature, even of bis own country. Daily Telegraph." The product cannot bo regarded as in any. -way representing the. real British standard of this art Morning Post." Hi music tbat hf excels in what is known as the Gaiety style." Daily chronicle." He is evidently not ono of the advance. guard of modern music.

Daily Graphic." tie cannot coast oi any moacmity lor oui sxyie. Daily Mail." The music tacks dramatic atrength and is wanting; in colour and contrast. Daily Express-" It cannot be saR Uiat The Angehia strikes a new note, in Knglish opera Pali Mall Gaaette." Commonplace, mediocre stuff. Daily News." Angelus u-iH not fail of Appreciation by reason of any undue qcmarjds which it makes upon tho -understanding of ita hearers. ''Westminster Gazette." Dr.

Baylor's music fails chiefly from its lack of rhythmic contrast, the of Its harmonies and orchestration, and rU' want of melodic invention." livening Standard." The Angelus is the result of a oonrpetition, and. therefore, moro representative- of tho taste ot the selecting committee than-of tho operatic powers of the British Standard." There is a significant unanimity in these brief extracts from tho opinions of the London Press on Dr. NaylorV prize opera, produced on Wednesday night at Co vent Garden. There were also other ngtdficajicies, including tho fog. While it is very kind of a few of the critics to.

indicate that "The Angolas is not up to the standard of British operatic art; it is puzzling to imagine what English opera or operas form this standard. Colomba," Pauline," Ivanhoo," Sharaos O'Brion," Maritana," The Bohemian Girl," "Jeariie Deans," and a few others that may have attained. a couplo of performances, are not. particularly characteristic or ropresent-ativo. This point aside, the crux of tho matter seems to lie in tho suggestion contained in tho final critical excerpt.

Tho work that has-been brought to light of day under exceptionally favourable circumstances is really -representative 'of nothing at all but perverse and convention-coddling judgment. It is not possible believe tbat "Tho Angelus represents English music of the pre-sen fc.day, in the aligh test. Jt is quite probable, however, that tho most capably our young composers refused. to-enter the, iist knowing, from former experiences, the demoralising and inglorious results of similar competitions. Surely if thi" opera were th most noteworthy among those sent in to Messrs the kindest and nones test tiling trie judges could have done, with the.

interests of English art at stake, would have been to. retire with sarcastic regrete from tbe 'throne of judgment. Dr. Richter and M. Massenet, two of tho original judges, did and were replaced, early in the competition.

A marvellous matter to me is the passing of tho libretto. I' do not know who was responsible for this, and while one can understand' tho extraordinary misunderstanding of music as an art, it is scarcely possible to reaUso that the requirement of literature, even operatic literature, could bo equally misunderstood. A feature of this oirnpetition was tho preliminary examination of "Tho Angelus" got through somehow and inspired the music. It is well known that tho syndicate promised to produce the selected prize opera at their own expense and under the most favourable conditions. This they undoubtedly have done, and I can quite well jrnagirjtt their never undertaking to do it again.

It is stupefying to realise that one of the judges fell foul, in a newspaper discussion, of the Grand Opera Syndicate for" not producing this work 4 in the middle of the Grand season with specially engaged English cast and tbe fullest bloom of prestige, when he- should have worked his baldest to prevent any: production whatsoever. When you take thecase for aational Opera the good work accomplished in the present performances, interpnetatively is hopelessly dis. counted by creatively. Thai is, if you are not. happily possessed of a sense of humour.

That Msisteraiagcre." The. perfection of rehearsal, the earnestness of the artists, asd the magnificent work accomplished in -the performance' of "The Massteasxngen on Monday night were so inaoy steps forward in the direction of English National Opera. Whai hae been remarkably notieeablo in the first cycle' of 'the on the part of many of th artists' n- gageci USB 4J4raMJgtM VI Buf- ractctry rurare. id toe avaeieaaaognra aid a Mr. Hans Nissen waj calkd mo for THE GOUPIL GALLERY.

The weather of the past week has not been exactly of a natur to make the prospect of picture-viewing very alluring, or to create that serene state of mind which' is' needed for foraging a just critical estimate of unfamiliar, works of art. Yet, surely, the sense of joylessnest and sadness produced by. the first cursory look around the walls of the large room in which" the New Association of Artists' have arranged their oil-paintings' cannot ascribed to the pall of fog hanging over London town. For there can be no doubt jthat. tho majority of the members have deliberately gone into mourning as regards the gamut of their palette, whilst others, who prefer, to court the bright light of day, have so completely realised the splendour of the sunlit world that their brightest-colours appear-enfeebled and anaemic.

Thus, in Mr. Sheard's "The Mower," fhe direct rays of the sun certainly fill the fields with light, but not with warmth and in Mt. Fred Hall's "The Hill Top," the sunlight has a quality which can only described as chalky. Quite an exception is Mr. Sheard's "Summer Afternoon a family, group in garden in the sunny 'glare of a -somnolent, enervating summer day.

For the rest, the low tone of tmilight, evening, and night, or at best the greyaess of a cloudy day, rule in this gathering, as they are wont to do at the" R.B.A., and whatever praise may be due -to individual effort, the ensemble is gloomy and depressing. On tbe very entrance wall the long list of sad and low-toned landscapes begins with Mr. Laidlay's "From Ardvech' Point "r- lonely bit of coast with storm-tossed, tattered Scotch' fir trees. Next to it; Mr. F.

HaU'depictsTin "A Lone Track a gypsy caravan. at nightfall on a dreary heath. The ably-drawn horsea of Mr. Leon! Little's Sussex Team move in a landscape that has no suggestion of light and colour. In Mr.

J. Muirbead's BeeuinaEre, Bruges," the sad note is struck again, not only' 111 -sue general ni.tue-. association. 01 ideas that clings to the black-garments of the nuns; There is no escape from this all-pervading gloom Mr. Tom Jtobertsbn's poem the still blue night, "The Silent Dusk," and above it Mr.

Hely Smith's "Moonlight, Mr. P. Gaakell's purplish "Twilight, Corfe Castle," Mr. Paul Paul's and Mr. Rosenberg's Evening, Picardy." The hour "Twixt-Sun and Moon" has been chosen both by Mr.

P. Paul and Mr. Arthur Bell; whilst Mr. Laidlay scores his greatest success with his. picture of warm grey On Hickling Broad." A 'certain degree of accomplishment is to be noted in all these works, but it to" Harry Becker's two contributions, "Digging Potatoes." "Potato Gatherers," that one has to turn far artistry of a higher order.

Here are the toilers of soil in the familiar attitudes that "we know from the work of Ji F. Millet, of Bastion Lepage, Lhermitte, and Mr. La Thangue, and from hundreds of indifferent pictures by less distinguished painter's. But Mr. Becker has infused new life into the familiar theme.

In his pictures the action is. not frozen into a pose, but is instinct with physical effort, with muscular enerrfiS strnggliiis against fatigue. All this is hastily aod summarily re-' corded with sweeping, tolling marks, which help to-give the illusion of the traaaaitari-ness of the action. In the water-colour room the principal feature is a group of drawings by Mr. Lamorna Birch, among Tho Merry River," with the sharp glitter of the swiftly flowing shallow stream, and Solitudo," a quiet' harmony in silvery gaeys, axe Hie moat satisfactory.

The tbreatoriiiig cold green sea under vj leaden sky of Mr. W. H. Bartiebt's "Storm Bound" is accurately observed and recorded. On tbe ground floor of tbe same galleries this- water -colours ot ueorge inomson aro as astounding revelaition of rare) talent: in an artist who is scarcely known to the general puouc.

tte as wormed in apaia, angler, France, and Italy; he has devoted himself to pure landscape, figure and architecturaj subjects; but in everything wrought by his ob uvutceei purpose and. daring" in the use of pure brilliant colour. He dares to be true to his visual impression, even where-'' truth is 'ertxaiiger than as in the "Pisa a -City Gate," with the fabriehe seen under desrj ultramarine akv throuch the trolden brown atone and mortar of the gate in the burning or the "Tangier. Evening oy tbe Jaasoan, wnere the luminous sky shows a transition from gold te pink; or the "Houses in painted in the hngnvtest bnes of whitewash and distemper. There is something almost bewildering about his power of expressing -all that is essential with the utmost economy of means.

And even more extraordinary is the sense, of stylo iu oompoBiuaa waica underlies wnat ursx sight anaear to be mere haphazard glimpses of nature faithfully recorded. Of all the ex hibitions that have been, held this, year none coma oe praxsea more unreservedly uaa mr. Thomson's. THE DOWDESWELL GALLERIES. If tee and Mr.

Thomson's colour are such as to. triumph over. the winter, fog, Mr. R. Gwelo Goodman, has taken possession of the Dowdeswell Galleries, must nave suffered.

badly from last week's affliction. For Mt. Goodlman's drawings of The -English' Lakes" aro not things to-be enjoyed under artificial light dimmed by the fog tbat will not -be refused admission." His. 'colour sense, is as tender and delicate aa Mr. Thomson's is bold and strong.

He, top, a' keen sense of tin picturesque indeed, I know of no other artist' that' has equally well, succeeded in discovering the real picturesquen'ess of the Lake District. He wisely avoids those; panoramic views Iwfiich defy the artists' efforts and concentrates his attention, upon more, intimate, Where hi expands his horizon, he manages to present, the view as a decorative pattern, as in "Windermere." His -is crisp and clear, and yet exquisitely dainty his colour is blithe and tender and transparent. And above all his art appears, to be absolutely personal. Among the 51 drawings of this series there is. not one that recalls echoes of-other painters' work, which is the moro.

remarkable as Mr. Goodman is clearly not aiming at originality at any price, but js merely following too prompting 01 njs artistic instinct. POSTSCRIPT. The Metropolitan Museum in New York has recently purchased a painting by Mr. Wilson Steer, whoso of himself has how -for somo timo, been hung in tho tola dr.i pittori at 4 1 lllO U1T1Z, iQiVimi uui.

loinir, m. Gallery of British Art-will-vainly search for au cxamplo this modern master. The Corner Gallery, 49, -New Bond-street, has to be added to tho lonff. list of West Knd picture-galleries. The inaugural.

Exhibition cam-prises a number of paintings that hsvo been seen in recent years' en the walls of tho Royal Academv among others Briton Riviere's Evo of St. Bartholomew," Mr. H. W. Summer Time and Mr.

Campbell Taylor's "The Rivals "and some fresb water-colours of Scotch scenery by tho R. H. The first of the new series of exhibitions to be inaugurated this spring; by Messrs- W. Mar chant and Co. under the title "of the New Water-Colour, Pastel end Drawing Society wiil open-on Monday, March 15, at tho Goupil Gallery.

P. YESTERDAY AT OTBisTrfTS" The first picture sale of, the. year held at Christie's yesterday, the property dispersed being that of the late McLean whose gallery in the.Baymarket lately passed into the handaof Mr. CremeUi. Fern of the pictures', or drawintrsV realised 0013010 prices, tbe chief items being the follow." mg Sir.

Orchardsoo, Jessica," 131 5 0 P. las. 0 0 Sam Bough. "Tho Woodcutter's Middsy Best" 84 0 0 Hoppner, (rrnahaa n-O' The iladW iatemaUoctsl ''-wraatliar -tonma-me-nt its final' stage at the Pus City; this week. Bell's TeJerapbic AJdreaeaL U'justpublislied for tbe.

rear 1909; givnig -tbe telegraphic ad- 1 1 from" official list down to. January 1, There is trouble at Ksrmanahah, in Prsia, because the chief of the Kalkur, Datmd deeirea independence, having dreamt that he found himself wearing a oown." England and Russia will no doubt give the matter theu consideration; but it would -Save a gwd deai of trouble if Daoud Khan would now' dream that he found himself in a dungeon. It has been a week of "various and strangely, cofrtrasted osculation When Captain Searby. of tbe sank aa liner Sa-pablie. and Mr.

Jack Blnns. th wirateas eneritor, arrived (a Ktw Tork. women assembled to greet, them, and tbey -were overwhelmed with atsaea Daily Mail telegram. As Mr. Eeir Bardie was leaving the Labour Conference a man approached Mm and said, "My wife would.

like to kisa yon." 'A woman can forward, threw her arma round Mr. Ketr qardic'a neck, aod kissed turn. For putting hat arms around the. neck of a young woman a trarocar, and kissing her twice, the -magistrates at Manaaeld aenUneed a young" collier named" Briggs to a. month's hard labour; Daily Chronlcie." It-is another point in -favour.

of "Mr. Harold Gox's case as to tha absence of anti-feminine bias in "modern Every diplomatist," save German Secretary of State, must cot a "figure." "fBut it is a'pity tbe figuree they cut' ahonld b'. so often sixes and sevens. Mgnabhy present difficulties to taVa uninitiated and tca exeat ior ii Moratreal paper which tauli of Miu Chades- worth, an art.raot rve spinster oi 25, who with her parent in Bodera-street; Wales." America, on iU for long -timo bailed the English cotnrter with- the nama of Mr. Crianncey M.

Dspew wbo com-moiuy aOTeared in Ujm of riose present as farn laMitleanen 'irii dUferenfc najjonalitafea." Mr. Chauncey, The weak'a music In Gnaaxiy, Elek-tra in New York, Salome in England," "The Angelus." Alas! It is very kind of trie Zoological Society" to put wire netting. on tbe railings in front" 0 the. wild beasts- cages. I van tore to think that people who go te the Zoo to tease caged animals are of- the type that is better dead.

Alderman LitUer's propoaal that -West Ham -and; the jacent districts sbould "imalga-' mated as the city Eastminr.V, does not number, among ts Trocmmendationsr that of historical validity. Tho original sEastminster (by it direction from which Wetmiraster wa oamed) wax either' itaelfjvor "a monastery on what: is tkw Great Tower'; It is a 'little odd that so obvious a name; has not been snapped up before. Though travel lem to. Margate know Minster -on -Sea (with no minster nearer than-Canterbury), there' hai been no Eastminster or Northmimrter and Soutlrminster is an -inconsiderable village io Essex; On of aba week's iiteawspaper placards GENERAL BOOTH WHAT HE MUST DO' TO BE SAVED. 1 It.diaposM.oraft to.ryinpathiso.te.aorDe extezst with Lord Mettonrxie agajfist ra.

ligion bding permitted to invade private life. Tbass acrraplea about ling of sacred in America. -At all two fuU pagaas'of tb." New York. are devoted fto, the exploitaoSon, with every -device of 'asasm-'. ticuraliam, of the theme (in gigantic black rsttera) AS THE SAVIOUR WOVLD DO.

EAaurcsT Erroara or EivvTwbsah CitaisruN Men and- Woinsir PlMDCU) TBEMSsXVeS- TO', Fouiiw ",11, Cbkist's FoxyrsTcrs ajro Ltva 103 Wgxoxa as nra SAvroua Wouin Havi Livk). Thsnr foDowa MY FIRST WEEK LTVlNGr. AS THE SAVIOUR WOXXLD. Sy Kingslcy Mr. Fuller promised to pray for his who had forgotten to leave out towel j-.

chid, tho office stenographer for, and declined to take her te.tho theatre or the price of two would bole in my salary and elained his-fiancee that ha would 1 freouehtly future, on the ground that' had' right to take up so much Of bor timey.floabt-less to the exclusion of others." I am' afraid, Mr. Kingslcy Fuller "will have to try Next vra read 'f WHY A GIRL STENOGRAPHER NOT LEAD A CHRISTLIKE LIFE, i By ilut Sclma M' 'j -Her dift'euifty was that her empfcyar quired her to send letters which something short of, or something- in excess, of, the unvaxniabed truth. "If," ahoaayaV (echoing Mr- -Haldane), wo could' only' "gat'-the employers interested in socb. a 'movement we-could; sucoeed." Another- of the Earnest Eleven Thousand teTls HOW I THINK-THE SAVIOUR WOULD conduct a modern' grocery '--store. By Alfred F.

Morion, of Indut Mr. Mcrton's role that when day's- ptofite have -reached -M doU, doriiff 5 rest of that day erferyAhings sold -ie sold for what it oost-Aan iexoellent "systeng'i for discouraging early "stropping -Tbre 'is a picture of Mr. Morton's Christian" Depart- rnent Store," and a pbotegraph of- Mrt Mortoii himself busy earning his' Christian 150 year. Perhaps by way of contrast, there is a threc-Mlmrm 'Ulusteation entitled Gate of Heaven," representing 3 Rich iMan at the Gate, which is of a size" to accommodate a barn-yard fowl. The Wall of Heayeni Burxnousted by a cneteaux' dc frite, te eropha-, esse the futility of endeavouring to climb-ia 1 by some other way." But lest it should be thought that the New York American is simply wanton it.

should be explained that' particular 'issue is the edition. ThaJnew- Strauss appears; to be even more "strepitant "tiiaawasrxpected. woodwind and West- Gazette's" critic, -'aie multiplied iof infinitum." I- Tegrot. that by an inadvertence the erro-7 neons report of the death' of Mis. Hesba, Stretten was attributed in this column last, week te thi'.

Daily Kcws." The mistako was that of another paper. Yet another celebration is to added to tbe prodigious list that of founding' of. Pittsburg in 1759. The lady who the lineal repreaentative the has already gone tor bear part "inj the, -commemoration. It is a pretty feature these -festivities tbat men concerned are figuring so'prooaihwfjy Some.

of Burns's tel.atior at the Scottish commemoration Captain Poe is to' be "one of the; princi-naUeuests at the Poe dinner of thelAuthora' 1 and it will remembered that'-, MT. rraucis lyarwia was; only; aa, a'raociition of "hispwn but also out of to father's memory, --y- It may be suggested-that, year celebrationsare -betterf wbentheyare-' prompt. remembered at a concert and- thaMoora and' Bums" and -bratioweTaSquiter. punctual ii But, meinoty ric'taa arid: Use poriTsri.I'.;rsBj I armot iaar witesss Thrtraday ptWaBto'-tbe hatat of 't'aT aaVinaOTt. Klrla riaduia "aik.

any' OaatavA-rtasv Wyndhara AN ENGLISHMAN'S HOME. A Plat tr Thkte Acts, Br A PatBiot. Charles Rock JESPn Mr- Sealby "WBror? Master Jack Hobbi GeoBrey Smith Mr. Lawrence Grosamith Paul Robinson (a Mr. Arthur Wontner Maggie Broan Miss Elaine Ineseort Amy Brown Miss Mona Harrison Ada Jone Mi, chrtetinc Silver Captain inch Mr.

K. W. Garden (6th oi. Bait. Blinkshire Regiment) c'tu "-'ndsay Mr.

Rudge Harding irhe-Cumberland Kusiliers. Adjutant Bth Vol. ti Blinkehiro Regiment) Ueiat. Jacksjon Mr. Max Leeds (6th ol.

Batt. Blinkibire KegimcDt) Harris Mr. Charles Weir (Welsh Guards Attached. 8th Vol. Batt.

BlinEihire Regiment) r. Edmund Maurice Lieut. Rian Hob art Mr. H- Stephenson Sergeant Tho! Mr. Philip Knoi Sergeant Garth Mr.

Forbes Dawson Mr. Charles Allan An Officer Mr. Howard Sturgs Telephone Orderly Mr. B. Egerton A very definite mark is that made by Frank Curzon's latest production at Wynd-bam's Theatre, which will, no doubt, be crowded for come time by people enjoying a spirited satirical attack upon foibles unrecognised by them as their own.

Stalls will smile at the smug complacency of the typical Eritisi paterfamilias who considers that he has done ids whole duty by his country when he has paid the Government to do it for him. Fit and gallery will shout themselves hoarse with delights over the mordant study of the typical shonter whoso militant ardour confines itself to mafficking and whose all-absorbing love of sport makes him an enthusiastic looker-cm while others play the game. Wo shall all of us think what a capital lesson fihis of "An Englishman's Home is for our neighbours, and result will probably he a thoroughly popular success akin to that of the sensational sermon which flogs fashionable 6in for the edification of fashionable sinners. As the author of this play with a purpose, A Patriot might have been, subsidised by Mr. Haldane, as he has evidently been inspired by Lord Roberts.

From the evidences of his expert knowledge of War Office methods ho might be, set down as some smart young officer of the Intelligence Department whose discovery as dramatist has como quite naturally to Mr. Gerald du Mauricr as the very competent producer of tho play. In his touches of intimate domestic humour he often suggests a Barrie in his vigorous melodrama with a motive he recalls the thumb-nail apologues ol G. R. Sims.

It is perhaps not his fault that he has had to knock the bottom out of his piece didactically as well as dramatically by forcing for it a conventionally happy end. For a conple of acts he illustrates not loss consistently than remorselessly the attitude of those who cither in spirit or in deed are willing to leave our unsystematic system of territorial defence to look after itself. He strikes in his tragic farce the note of pathos in the helplessness of the zealous few arnongst cue careless mob ol many, with no scheme for concerted, action in the emergency which they' aro intended to meet, with no supplies, no leader, and nothing but amateur bungling to pit against trained professional skill. He boldly risks tho jar of painful incongruity when at the close of his second act he makes the blatant bounder Who has been enter tairung us by hi-s street-corner contempt for patriotic enthusiasm fall the first 'victim to the indifference which is tho gospel of his sporting slang. Ho goes so far as to let his parochial-minded householder be shot as a punishment for his puerile protest against the invasion of the Homo for whoso adequate, protection he looks to tho police.

And then, with a reminiscence of tho hackneyed old "Belief of Luc.knnw business, he drowns the shrieks of tjho Englishman's orphaned danghter in fbo opportune fifc-and-drum music of thin British Army, arriving just in timo to show that there was no noed for national panic after all. To a single household tho lack of properly organised defence by conscripts or by Volunteers has no doubt brought disaster. Bat so far as tho country at large is concerned, tho deficiency has not mattered in the least, since Princo Yolande and tho German Army wo beg pardon, the array of Her Imperial Majwrry the Empress of the North are defeated just as conclusively by haphazard as they could have been by method. Apart altogether from its significance as a dramatised tract, for the times, An Englishman's Homo is in many ways a remarkably clever play. There is, no doubt, too much, talk in the opening act, which is devoted to the contrast between tho earnestness of the young Volnnteer Robinson and tho frivolity of 4ho Smiths and Browns, who jeer at.

any interest in life save taken in game and iprizo competitions. But much of this talk is very good indeed, notably that, which falls to the share of Mr. Lawrence Grossmith in his lifelike, embodiment of flie typical youug middle-class loafer, with his cheap cynicism, his 'bus-conductor wit and his uncompromising mental vulgarity. An excellent study of character, too, is Mr. Rock's as tihe narrow- minded yet by no means wholly conternp-tible householder, Mr.

Brown, with his passionate attachment to bus home and his pathetic inability to realise any duties in connection with it which Jio beyond its four walls. Moro variety might have been usefully given to the sporting proclivities of the female members of the family party, but into one of them Miss Christine, Silver puts quito Tcmarkablo comic. individuality, Mr. E. W.

Garden's caricature of a fussy, woll-meaning, incompetent Volunteer captain if delightful, if rather cruel to our Terriers and Mr. Wontnet deserves high praise as a Volunteer of another order for tho manly eloquence of his outburst of protest against, the chaos in which all initiative of personal effort finds itself paralysed. Not Ies ghastly in its truthfulness than this forecast of national unreadiness is the realistic stage illustration of tho minor horrors of war. so that this daringly original production makes its appeal not only as ah impressive parable, but as a striking led up to by bitter farce. DIARY OF THE WEEK.

Monday. CarrBRtoN Tho Adventure of Lady Ursula." Dalston Pete." Matheaon Lang. Pavh-ios; E. The World, The Flesh, and the Devil." EmpiSX Dutch Boiler-skating, the Champion Video. CaxtSrbust Violet Charlcsworth, Songs at the Piano.

HirPODBon Kaafraaon Girl-Qycligts. OoLiSKOH Debatrjf Dolores," La Tortajada. AxoAJkBSA Llnoognita, Scbicbtl's Marionettes. Pavm-ios De Bcsaell, Clay-modeller. 'jHolbOH EarpntB Carl Herts.

TttCaatavyV Lymc The Chief of Staff Wednesday. Gissn "Simvm. Afternoon Theatre. THE1 ADMIRABLE BASHVILLE OK CONSTANCY TJH REWARDED. BernabO Shaw's Hastesfiecb.

I.v Tire Elizabethan Sttle. Ljdia Miss Marie Lohr Cashei Mr. Ben Webster Mellistr. Mr. Lennox Panic I.ncian Mr.

Charles Quartermaine RashvUle Mr. Henry Ainley Policeman Mr. Halliwell Bobbes Lord Worthuigun Mr. Courtenay Foota Cetenayo Mr. James Hears Paradiso Mr.

Edward Sass Adelaide Miss Rosina Filippi Beefeaters in charge of the stage Hugh B. Tabberer and Mr. Walter Crcighton 'TILDA'S NEW HAT. A Plat is Osb Act by George Pastos. Mrs.

FiEhviek JMiss' Agnes -Thomas Tilda (her Daughter) Florence Lloyd Walter Emerson Norman Page Daisy Meadows Miss Sydney Fairbrother A considerable part- of. the humour of "The Admirable Bashville" is the humour of incongruity the joke of putting grandpapa's hat on baby, or baby's hat on grandpapa. It; does not matter much whether you couch twentieth-century sentiments in. Elizabethan English or Elizabethan sentiments into twentieth-century English in either case yon get the effect of parody, and an occasion of laughter which is quite legitimate in so far as it exposes sharply the instability of conventions. It is a task in which Mr.

Bernard Shaw delights. He tells the story of his novel, Cashel Byron's Profession," in that easy style of early Shakespearean blank verse which he calls rigmarole "he says he. found it easier.to write than prose and he achieves more or less. genuine effects of bombast, of imptees-iveness, eve.i of eloquence, all overshadowed with the suggestion of laughable. When, instead of the colloquial "Drop it" we get Forbear at once, or tho next note of music Tbat.

falls upon thine ear shall clang in thunder From tbe. last trumpet when Bashville reads an account' of a prize-fight in blank verse, and ends hie scene with the plausible couplet Let what will come. My love must speak 'twas my respect was dumb when Cashel, having been smitten on the nose, ejaculates: 2ext. ah)utiou; elas I shall be total gulp when in more freakish vein, we find liberties taken with Marlowe (whom Mr. Shaw holds in low esteem) Lydia (throwing herself into his arms): Your boats are burnt at laxb.

is the face, that burnt a thousand boats. when we have prize-fighting and vivisection- and the Survival of the Fittest treated in the idiom of three centuries ago, and the scenery represented mainly by explanatory placards held up by the attendant beef-eaters for the inspection of the audience there is an irresistible effect of burlesque superadded to the particularly Shavian humours of the plot the nobility of the pugilist as compared with "the thing that bets on me," the pusillanimity of the Englishman beside the stalwart Zulu. It is of no importance as a play masterpiece in the Elizabethan style" is a claim whose qualification has escaped the notice oi some critics but it is a very clever jctf tTuprit. Bat how is it that even Mr. Shaw's most unconsidered trifles we use the allusion in the same free and non-literal sense in which he quotes Shakespeare always get such, admirable acting? Even such (as one would imagine) inevitably farcical parts as Cetewayo and Paradise and the trainer do not fail to be convincing as Mr.

Hearn and Mr. Sass and Mr. Lennox Pa win interpret them. Of tho bruising but singularly un- hraised Cashel one cannot imagine a better exponent than Mr. Ben Webster, while Miss Marie L6hr is a very captivating Lydia.

Bashville. bulks more largely in the title of the play than in the matter of it but Mr. Henry Ainley is a creature of such magnificence, in appearance, in utterance, and in the dignity of his renunciation, that one cannot resist a wish to see him in tbe less' serene'sphere to which his new master destines him a Henry Ainley in the prize-ring would ennoSlo the profession. Miss Rosina Filippi, as tbe spurned mother, has only a few minutes to herself and only a few -words to utter, but' her presence in most resplendent fashionable frock" is an illumination to the stage. Even the Policeman (Mr.

Halliwell Hobbes) and. Lucian (with Mr. Quartermaine in his original part) -help confirm the impression that Mr. Bernard Shaw is always well served by his actors probably for tho toi-son that the actors are always well served by Mr. Bernard Shaw.

From the quaint artificialities of "The Admirable Bashville "'there -could be no more refreshing change than that to the natural humour and pathos of 'Tilda's New Hat," a little piece which, for its limits, affords quite remarkable scope for dramatic effect. It is, in its a corroboration and a refutation ot Mr. Shaw sneers at the maternal relationship earlier in the afternoon. The snarling duet when 'Tilda and her mother (consummately acted by 'Miss Agnes' Fraser), the exasperation, the ferocity, arid, finally, the self-saurinco of 'Tilda, the flaccidity of her rival, and the. appalling seriousness of the young- man who oscillates between them, make up a little play of delicate humour and, at the end, of curiously poignant appeal.

It also was splendidly acted all round. Fortune Playhouse. PIPPA PASSES. By Robert Browning. Pippa Ottima Sebald First Student Second Student Third Student Gottlieb Schramm Jules Phene Bluphocks Luigi His Mother Firat G'rl Second Girl Third Girl Monsignor Intcndant Miss Isabel Roland Miss Lucy Wilson Mr.

Gordon Bailey Mr. Filmer Mr. Guy Mr. Cw-il A. Collins Mr.

Roderick Macleod Mr. VT. Fexan Mr. Gordon Ballev Mkw Muriel CarmeJ Mr. Roderick Macleod Mr.

Guy MUs Loin Duncan Mis Beatrice Filmer Miss Lorraine Stevens Miss Muriel Carajel Mr: Max Montesole Mr. Cecil A. Collins At the Fortune Theatre, which is not a theatre, but a concert hall, Pippa Passes," which is not a play, but a series of episodical recitations, has during the weak been given by the English Drama Society with quite appropriate lack of dramatic effect. Maker of plays" although Robert" Browning described himself, he had not really any aptitude', either instinctive or acquired, for; their manufacture. His and intention might- be: dramatic enough, but his characteristic methods, whether action-development or of diction, were radically unsmted to the needs of tbe stage.

This was shown even in the experiment made a few years' since by the Incorporated Stage Society with A Soul's gedy," in comparison "Pippa Passes," is quito a tnasterpiece of. What was best in Browning's verse was found to miss its poetry's, chief bArtiofi in delivery as dialogue. What was worst and there is a good-deal of 'this'in Pippa Passes missed w-jth its crabbed eccentricities of tnnnoeijiJ For this weak are arranged two of the chief sjnvelur-s la be nxpected at the play this side of Easter. These aro promised at the Lyric tad the Garrick for Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings respectively. Lewis Waller's nroducuoa on the former night will be that of modern drama, of adventurous political and military romance, with its unfamiliar scene laid not in a European Buritania, but' in an imaginary Republic of inland South America.

The author, Mr. Ronald MacDonald, calls his rUy "The Chief of and its full cast will be this: General Sebastian de Solatierra Mr. William Haviland Colonel Stephen Cavendish Levis Waller Major Dennis O'Priscoll Mr. A. E.

George Guillfrmo Herrero Mr. Sbiel Barry btiwant Ilaltusr Mr. Ctoain. Wilson Pedro Const ansa Mr. S.

J. jaimc Mr. Reginald Dane Mar-o? Mr. Caton Woodvilte Mr. George Courtney A Iipacb Bider Patrick Dican fngrscia de Solatierrx MiM Aurio) Lee Iduna de Solatierra Miss Evelyn D'Alroy Ma MiM Madge Titheradge action, in -which Mr.

Waller is said to figure effectively as a. kind of 'informal dictator, has its early scenes laid in the garden and loggia of the-Presidencia, and ite closing one in a log -cabin. The premiere of the foUowing. night at the Carrick will be that of Mr. Gillette's version of "Samson." a new drawing-room melodrama by M.

Bernstein, who in his vigorous play, "The Thief," recently provided Mr. Georce with popular success. at the St. James's. As will be seen from the (allowing cast, toe nationality of the dramatis ftrsonas has been judiciously left unaltered Jacques Bracbard Bourchier Jerome I fiovain Charles Bryant Marquis d'Andeune Mr.

Arthur Whitby MaruDflien (his con) Mr. Kenneth Flacb Mr. Leon Qnartennalne Marcel de lontenay Mr. Bertram Forsyth Jean Mr. William Burchill Josef Mr.

Charles Vernon Zambo Mr. Alfred Bristowe Mr- Douglas Itnbert and vuun jjr. yen-ton Dimae 'Anne Marie Brachard Miss Vjolei Vanbrngh Marquue d'Andeline- Miss Marie Illington Etise Veroecfce Edytb Latimer Euzanne Pelgardo Miss Margaret Vivian ClotUde Miss Pamela Gaythorne "Samson," which, was- presented; at the Criterion, New York, in October, and has just been having a trial trip at Swansea, is in four tele. It is in the' third of these, st the Hotel Bitz, that occurs the big scene fairc of the play, in which the copper king lures to his looms. his wife's contemptible lover and half chokes the life out of.

him as he listens to the. news cf tho financial ruin in which the ful Samson has involved him by deliberately ruining himself. This sentimental streak in tho self -made millionaire seems to have been nmewhat accentuated for the happier ending of the play, but in other respects the. English version will be found to follow the French original with few deviations. Mr.

Bourrhier's acting of the tremendous part has evidently impressed profoundly its Swansea spectators. Far to-morrow, night Miss Evelyn Millard has arranged the transfer to the Criterion from the Gamck of her very successful reproduction of The Adventure of Lady Ursula." The last performance of "The Builder of Bridges is announced for next Friday week the 8t. James's, on Thursday, February 18, Mr. George Alexander will give bis promised reproduction of Prisoner of Zenda," with Messrs. Frank Cooper, Ben Webster, Brydone, Steel, and Owen; and Miss btella Uampbell as nis cmel supporters.

Mr. H. B- Irving will devote the last three Weeks of his season at the SnatteSDury, beginning Mt February to revivals of Hamlet," 'Charles and "Louie retaining The Lyons Mail in the. bill for Saturday alights only. At his matinee of Charles on the 11th, in aid of the St.

Pancras School lor Mothers, the Princess of Wales has graciously intimated her intention to.be present. Tree has now settled upon Tuesday, February 16, as the date for his revival of "The Dancing Girl" at His Majesty's, where Miss Alice Crawford will play the name-part created at the Haymarket by Miss Julia Neil- Like the immediate success of iMr. Reginald Owen, now returning to Mr. George Alexander for. "The Prisoner of Zcnda," tho engagement of Miss Athene Seylcr to play -the part of one of "The Truants" in Mr.

Colehy's new piny at tho Kingsway is a distinct triumph for tho Academy of Dramatic Art. Miss Seyler, n6 we have already noted; has by Teason of hor clover work figured no less than five times in the prize lists of the institution, which now sends her direct to the important position for which it ha6 equipped her by training and varied experience akin to tho6e which sho might, have obtained in one of the stock companies of bygone days. Miss Sevier's final prizf, won last year, was free tuition for merit," and its value has been demonstrated with-a rapidity which cannot but bo highly encouraging to all concerned. To the "Stage, Year Book" tho Baroness EUa and Mr. Percy Burton have contributed a very interesting -and informing, article on the unfamiliar subject of tho Russian stage.

From, this it appears while of some forty theatres' in St. Petersburg and Moscow five aro huppnrtrd or subsidised by the State by far the most important work is that done at the Moscow Artistic Theatro. which was founded by private enterprise some in years ago, and has gained by its experiments a Continental reputation. The next venture of the Dramatic Productions Club, an original play' by Mr. H.

0. M. Hafdinge, called Strangers Within the Gales," will be cast as follows at-the Court, on tho evening of Sunday next and the afternoon of the following day: A'ymer Foresth (Secretin to 6ir Uesmcnd) Mr. Malroim Cherry Kat. Tlallifon fdrughter of the.

Hon. and Rev. Ralph Sxllison) Mlsa Amy Brandon Thomas Bon. Margaret Dxllfson (bister to Hon. Ralph Onllisnn) MiM Maude Milktt Hon.

and Rev. Ra'ph DaUison (Ret tor of Rcdhampton) Mr. Fred Lewis Mr Desmond Autrobu. K.C.M.G...Mr. A.

K. Anson Horarn Fell. M.D P. Hegsio Mnt Pritcbaxd Miss Blanche Stanley Forsyth Miss Granville footman Mr. Douglas Homer At the close of the present series of performances of' "The Admirable previously to the appearance of Mr.

Forbes Robertson in Mr. Henry James's, new play, the Afternoon Theatre give, on tho 9th, 11th, and 12th of next month, three more representations of its recently produced version of Hanptmann's Hannele." There will bo no matinee on the 16th, as for tho evening of that dav Mr. Tree has fixed his Dancing Girl re-viral. On the 18th Mr. -Forbes Robertson appears with Tho High Bid." On tho last Saturday of next month the Aldwych Theatre, will, according to.

present arrangements, be reopened by Miss Dressier. sprightly variety artist, who is bursting ont into management with a now musical comedy. This piece, which is in two acts, with their scenes laid in Switzerland and Paris, is called "Little Mena," and is tho product of dramatic and musical collaboration bet ween Mr. Edgar Smith and. Mr.

Maurice Levey. (Much pains are being expended upon the frocks and frills of the mounting, under the supervision' of Miss Drcssler's manager, Mr. James Dalton, and 'for the principal soprano rile Miss Morichini, of New: York operatic-fame, has been secured. Another-welcome engagement is that of Mr. Barraclougb, long absent from the stage through severe illness.

Yesterday was souvenir, night at the Hay-market with the. presentation of illustrated copies of Mri HeuTy. Arthur Jones's play. Miss Ethel Irving had a cordial welcome on reappearing after her To-morrow will be souvenir night at the Kingsway, where albums of jphotographs commemorate Diana of Dobson's. Mrs.

DOyly Carte has now arranged to postpone the disbanding of vher present Savoy company from the end of February to the end of March, which latter month she will npy a widely demanded revival oi "The n'. th G-iri" looker. Actually he strikes tho one sad, almost tragic, note in an atmosphere brimming jit ut.n. over with exuberant iov. Even in its philo sophical moments the whole opera is a gigantic declaration of allegiance to a world that would be delightful but for your Bedcmeesflrs.

Mr. Meux is right 1 there is not, much fun in Beckmesser. The artist is also to be congratulated on his success in really einginf the part. There is no 'reaeoo for ridiculous imitation of bad vocaHsm so frequently introduced into the performance. Mr.

Maurice D'Oisfy. was a lively and ingenuous David. Mr. Radford sang weS, but was a trifle self-ecmstaous aa Veit Pogner. In fact, all his colleagues in the first act were equally at fault in this respect, and this section accordingly dragged somewhat.

Miss Thornton quite excelled herself aa Magdalena, and the chcrus could not 'have been 'improved upon. CONCERTS. Symphony Concert. The iioveity of the concert at Queen's Hall yesterday afternoon was the picturesque little orchestral poem entitled, The Pierrot of the Minute," by Mr. Granviile Bantock.

The inspiration comes from the verses bf the ill-f atei young poet, Ernest Dowson, who was' responsible for so many exquisite translations of-the lyrical work of Paul Verlaine. This sympathy with the French Impressionist school of poetry finds it counterpart in the fascinating work composed by Mr. 'Bantock in illustration. A notable influence is exercised "by Paul Dukas' L'Apprenti but this really does not matter, for there ia-nruch 'in the work tbat is distinctive and original, and the element of vivid colour, which is' soL sadly lacking in English work, is welcome, even if the source of inspiration in undeniable. The other items of importance included a fine performance of the Emperor Concerto by Mme.

Carreno, and the Jupiter Symphony of Mozart. Mr. Henry J. Wood was, as usual, the conductor. Royal Choral Society.

It is curious how -Dvorak's comparatively large output of important work becomes limited when, you search for something representative. One of the' most effective cantatas extant "Tbe Spectrrfs Bride" is quite undeservedly neglected. It is a better work than the Stabat Mater," simply because it rings truer, but the latter, the New World Symphony, and the Slavonische Tanze, are practically the only works that have obtained any. sort of permanency in English programmes. But in tho above-mentioned I fancy Dvorak is at his 'best at all events, all that he had to say characteristically is contained therein.

The "Stabat Mater" was selected for TjeribrmanQO on Thurs day, nicht by the; Royal Choral Society. The 7 -arj i feature una ptmtiuaituuu -o mmmiw 0 singing of the Inflammatus." Miss Alys Bate-man was the soprano, Mr. Lloyd -Chandos the tenor and Mr. Kennerlev Rumford the bass. Mr.

Rumford was also the soloist in Sir Frederick Bridges Motett, Rock of Ages," and sang excellently. Messrs. Efw'ea and Friskin. Mr. Elwes is consistent in his evident policy of assisting the English composer of songs.

He searches in all quarters and puts his earnest thought and artistic seriousness into the least noteworthy. This is good. tar song, but often unnecessarily trying for the singer. At the third joint recital of Mr. Elwes and the.

young pianiEt-composcr, Mr. Friskin, tho vocalist, introduced six or'seven new songs, sung admirably, of course. Those that call for special mention are Mr. Vaughan Williams's "Is my Team Ploughing?" a clever dramatic bit of writing, Dr. Ernest Walker's poetical "Wind on tho and a couplo of Mr.

Roger Quitter's Tefined melodies from a set entitled Songs Sorrow." Mr. Friskin played Beethoven and Chopin equally seriously, and was joined by Mr. Ivor James in a performance of his Violoncello Sonata. The Mlaaca Parkin. Witu an excellent reputation from Sheffield, Miss Valerie Parkin and Miss Ivy Parkin appeared for the first time in London on Tuesday evening at Bcchstein Hall.

Miss Valerie Parkin's voice is noticeable for a certain delicate quality which is. specially clear in the upper register, and her renderings of some examples of Mozart and Handel, as well as soma English songs, were marked by a refinement that will undoubtedly serve the young lady well in tho future. It was quite obvious that Miss' Ivy Parkin was nervous, and under the circumstances her performance of some Chopin Preludes and Studies and a Grieg sonata was accomplished with a large degree of taste and skill. Both young ladies can be-congratulated on' their first appearance. The Broadwood Concerts, Pursuing the scheme of unconventional.

programmes, the directors of the Broadwood concerts offered on Thursdav oveninz some classical examples ot too cnamber Ueetnoven trio tor two opoes arid cor anglais was excellently played by Messrs. Henri de Busscher, E. Dbbrucq and H. Stanislaus, out it was noc particularly lascinaung ana terriblv wind v. Mozart's Quintet for ebon.

clarinet, bassoon, horn and piano reeks of century, ana one wonders wnat it must have sounded like on the instruments of the Leonard Berwick is a fine 'artist, and played as solos three of the pedal-piano pieces of Schumann and a scherzo by Brahms with splendid understanding. Miss Palgravo Turner introduced dcbatablo elements into a programme that was definitely classical. Coming Concerts-Mendelssohn's centenary will be celebrated in London on Wednesday. In tho afternoon a performance of the Hymn of Praise," with Mrs. H.

J. Wood, Miss Edith Millar, and Mr. Gervase Elwes as soloists, with, the choir of the Sheffield Amateur Musical Society, and Mr. Wood will also conduct for the first time Sir Edward Elgar's Symphony. In the evening there will jbo a performance of "Elijah by the London Choral Society, under- the direction of Mr.

Fagge. Sir Charles Santley will sing the part of the Prophet. The Barns-Phillips Concerts will be resumed on Tuesday afternoon, when the special feature will be the Concert-stuck for violiu and orchestra (arranged for' piano for this by Miss Ethel Barns. Miss Ethel Xeginska will give, her fourth recital on the programme being "devoted to French music. Cer; tain numbers will be played.

on a spinet. '-An interesting concert is announced by Taeodore Byard for Thursday afternoon. Apart from an interesting vocal selection, the Trio Caprice, by Paul Jnon, will be played for tbe first' time in" England New. Trio, Messrs. Richard Epstein, Louis Zimmermaa, and Paul Auolwig.

Mme. Carreno isjrrving a piano recital at the Bcchstein Hall on Saturday afternoon. Sir Ed ward Symphony, has now received eight English two in New York, and one in Vienna, and is booked for thirteen more in the. provinces, and for Munich, St Petersburg, 'Lejpiig under Nikxsch), Chicagor'Bostoo, and Toronte..