New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-27
THE DRAMA.
WHOSE ARE THEYf

Mr.. Edward SOthern, who appeared last night
al the star Theatre to have inherited his fathers
propensity for satire that Is yelled In eXrayagant non
sense Nothing much delighted the elder SOthern as
thoroughly quizzca view of character and experience
He knew the world His Judgment OF men was equally
swift and sound. He viewed life mostly farce. And
he reoiced I'm sort OF comic distortion OF every image
such may be In those mirrors which reflect the
figure both brOadened ard fatcned His has shown
OF this vein OF humor in the farce of Whose
Are They which presented on this occasion for the
first time in New-YOrk.
1t is dron and almost steadily amusing farce, and in
performance of it last night there many tire
moments II is comprised in three acts and
II includes persons Its incidents mostly CONT
caly pPepOserous and they succeed each other rapidly
and It's dialogue is written in brisk style Its story re-
lates the woong OF Amele Grih by 7heophuS POcklnG
ton who Is placed probation by his prospective
mOherihaw, the widow Of six husbands and therefore
acquainted with the nature OF man, and distrusfu OF It,
PockIirgton the publisher OF The Penny Dreadtand
as such he Is pursued by Gertte Mooney who wishes him
TO print the story of 1.-The Blasted Life" He likewise
Swallowed" by his uncle, Peter Modiin OtciOus
who bell ewes himself wonderful detective. Gertie
Mooney has husband. MelchSidec F1ghty who having
slipped banana peel, while walking with her
on Margate Pier and fallen into the sea- is supposed
10 be drownsd but Mehisdec reappears; and both he
and Hiss Griffin rsvaged with jealousy, by the
duct of Hiss Mooney and Pockngton In movement the
farce leads up to enlargement and ends In a
cation. certain discriminating artico-a garter-has
been found In Pockngtos possession but the last this
fact Is explained and the moherlnsw Is appeased
and the jealous contestants are pacifiod.
This IL wildaR1 whirling" nonsense. but through 1t
one may satirical picture OF experience. There
Is no bitterness In 1t. The hum0r Is kindly,
aud the oddly of invention Is sometimes
striking Mr. SOthern has shown marked talent and skill
in style Of writing that is ny means easyfor he has
sufased reckless droery with air OF The
situations little atenuated and the language is at
times proix; but the whole, this is good farce. The
business fits the characters and there Is much humOr
derived in the dialogue, rrOm the expedent Of taking
metaphysical language in literal spirit Mr.. Sothern,
Flighty appeared in MarraH makeup and gave bur
lssque OF the sentimental IDIOT Ii anxious and
little crude. but exceedingly sincere and often silfu
Mr. Haworth surprised and pleased his audience by his
entirely right idea OF farce actingwhch is the doing
saying Of absurd actions and words with entire and
passionate sincerity This performance, however,
needs dstnctness I'm every detail and likewise elegance,
aud defcientm personal droery Not the less marvel
Is IL that the actor of Roman lovers aud heroic
should lit himself wen to tho rafting mood OF farce
The piece needs condensation and the performers In II
need repose and the air OF enjoymentwhch doubtless
will increase. the anxietos OF the first night
J