THE GREEK PLAY

An event of unusual interest in theatrical circles, the Greek play with a cast of well-known professional actors, took place for the first time at the Globe Theatre last evening before a small but appreciative and critical audience. Many fears had been expressed previous to its production that the recitation of the leading role in Greek, and the others in English, would be harsh to the auditor, but all who heard the play last night must agree that the combination of Greek and English was much more harmonious to the ear than that of English and Italian, as given by Salvini and Rossi. The scenery presented at the Globe. was magnificent, and, as neither pains nor expense were spared in getting it up, it was a scene of much greater magnitude than could be attempted in Sanders Theatre. The costumes resembled very closely those used at Harvard, but in several instances were made of a much more costly material, and in every case where it was possible the costumes used at Harvard were improved upon.

Of the one hundred and nineteen persons employed in the production of the "OEdipus" last evening, especial interest, of course, was centered upon Mr. George Riddle as OEdipus, and Miss Georgia Cayvan as Jocasta. Of Mr. Riddle's acting we may say that, though he appeared in the leading role supported by a cast of characters well known in theatrical circles, he stood forth among them all as a star of rare talent. The chief criticism that has heretofore been urged against Mr. Riddle's acting was that his voice was not sufficiently strong to play so heavy a part as that of the leading character in the "OEdipus Tyrannus;" but, we are happy to say, his voice has improved wonderfully since his last appearance as OEdipus, and his gestures and stage acting last evening were, in nearly every instance, graceful and forcible.

While undoubtedly no one better suited for the role of Jocasta than Miss Cayvan could have been selected in Boston, still she showed last evening much room for improvement. In her make-up she looked altogether too young for the mother of OEdipus, and her face appeared too dark to produce a pleasing effect upon the eye. Her facial expression also was poor, and during the greater part of the time she was on the stage her action was not nearly so strong as the character demanded. Her enunciation was indistinct in many places, and throughout she made use of an assumed tragic voice that was not natural. In her final scene, however, just before Jocasta leaves the stage for the last time, she gave a fine bit of acting, far above the mediocre, for which she was recalled upon the stage.

Mr. Lewis Morrison, as Creon, fulfilled the utmost expectations of his most ardent admirers. He showed himself throughout an experienced actor in every word and every motion, portraying his character with better effect than any of the others, excepting, perhaps, Mr. Riddle. The selection of Mr. J. J. Hayes to play the part of the aged and blind priest of Zeus, was probably as good a one as could have been made, as his voice and manner were exactly suited to such a character. Later in the play, however, as the Shepherd, he showed some room for improvement. His utterances were too stiff and forced to sound natural. The parts of Teiresias, and Messenger from Corinth, assumed by Mr. J. F. Hagan, and the Messenger from the Palace, by Mr. P. C. Hagar, a rising young actor of two or three years' standing, deserve favorable mention.

The music, which forms so prominent a part in the production of the "OEdipus," was but fairly interpreted, the chorus being especially weak; but after the experience of an evening's performance, much improvement will undoubtedly be shown in the subsequent representations. That the performance was received with much favor was shown by the fact that after the final scene the audience remained seated until Mr. Riddle and Miss Cayvan reappeared on the stage, when they were greeted with round after round of applause.

As the management have spared no expense to make the production of the "OEdipus" at the Globe superior if possible to its production at Harvard last year, and as a Greek play is an event which one has an opportunity of seeing only once in a lifetime, we cannot too strongly urge every member of the university to attend at least one of the performances this week, feeling sure that no one will ever regret having seen it.