New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-31
" JUDGE NOT" AT THE MADISON SQUARE,

Miss Fife Ellsler, in her summer season at the
Madison Square Theatre, presented last night new
play by Frank Harvey, the author Of The Wages Of
SIM Woman against Woman" and various other
pieces. 1t Is entitled Judge Not7 and the title is
appeal for pity which the play stands much I'm need
Of 1t piece of hackwork, which might win favor
In the wds of Manitoba, Labrador and Ellington,
In those remote and sequestered spots which still
v0clferously demand new versions of Uncle Toms
Cabn' But It Is far too puerile too nfantile indeed
for metropolitan taste. 1t is Of the texture Of the
tales with which certain cheap publications in England
beglile the leisure of scucry maids and under-game
keepers. weak and worthless artist named Philip
vane madly loves Ethel Moreland, tho naughty
daughter Of a hundred earls The naughty
daughter avows her love for the feeble minded
painter, and then goes OIL straghtway and
marres the proud and unbending Lord Fern
dale, nobleman of the most prOdlgolis pedigree and
pomposty, whose devotion to his family tree and his
family honor is of suberheated sort Philip Vane
promptly weds Katherine Clare, lo@s actress, Nho
has been sIshhg out her heaft for him, and theh
Proceeds to iiahe fer desperately Unhappy by spend
Ing his nights III feveify and sin and his days in
ardent admiration OF Lady Fefhdale The errins
ornament Of the aristocracy Is pursued by the nfur
ated husband to the artists studio. screen scene
opportunity occurs. Lord Ferndae throws down
the screen and dlScovers-n0t Lady Ferndale OF
course but Mrs Philip vane. whose nobility OF soul
leads her to shield her fathess husband and the
disoyal pecrcss. Then the artists wife departs
and separation Of some years takes place
Mrs. Philip Vane emerges into view brilliant and
famous actress Miss Forester at whose feet men and
women alike tumble in throngs. She is invited to a
big Belgrava "drum.' at which the blue-blooded
Lord FeIndale, with Lady Fcrndae and various other
lumlnaries OF Mayfair, present. The lords and
ladies like coscrmongers and make the most in
sultng remarks about the actress I'm laundering tones
sung fury by their insults she tells the true story
of Lady Ferndalcs relations with her husband-and
the curtain falls The last act is taken up with
apologies and recOnciliatl0ns. Lord Ferndalo pros
himself the dust before the sanctfed actress
whom he has wrongcd by his wicked suspicious and
coarse remarks. prcpOsterous imbeclle named
Frank Bnghtsde who loved the actress to distraction
before she gave her hand the aspiring artist who
could not content himself with a woman without a
ttle devotes all his energies to bringing together the
outraged artist and actress. lie succeeds last and
In toddles little child whom the artistfathcr has
never seen, but who has been the consolation
OF tho actress mother in her years OF
separation and sorrow Undoubtedly Frank Bright.
side must have sought and obtained the position OF
footman in the reunited Vane household where he
could be constant spectator OF re-establlshed
welded bliss.
The play Is without invention or originality.
II works over the stalest OF materials Its charac.
tiers have no more vitality than dolls and no moro
human interest than relies of the silunan age
There Is literary finish to the work and the
dialogue is duh and pointless.
Miss Ellslcr did her best with the material at
her command but that best was somewhat hard and
dry. Her company includes we'll known names.
Madame Ponisl, Miss Helen Bancroft L. H. Van.
derfelt and L. C. Bangs well the star herself.
were much applauded by warn-heaited
audience, which included many actors and actresses
enjoying summer leisure There were many
recalls and an unconquerabe resolution to be de
lighted with the play In spite of its defects
manifested throughout the house. The piece was
mounted with the and good taste always shown
at tho Madison Square Theatre.