New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-28
THE DRAMA,
THE WOMAN-HATFR,

"The Woman Hatcr,' d. d. Llpyd's ecceutrfc COM
edy, which Roland Roed last night prodlrt for tho
first time In Now-Y0rk at the Fourteenth Street Thea
tro, achieved a decided and we'll merited success
Seldom has now play by an American author becn
greeted with more laughter and enthusiasm Prom
the tmo that tho characters thoroughly intro
| duccd the fate OF the play was never for moment
In doubt and the Interest once awakened was held
In hrmer and frmer grasp TIL the final fall OF tho
curtain.
The Woman Hater' tells tho story OF a middle
aged man, I" solomon Bundy," retired merchant, who
| has attained the reputation conveyed by tho tito
but who IS really extremely susceptible TO feminine
| charms and has been only kept by difdence nom
expressing hts feelings. When no last con ILcrs
his timdry be finds tho per,oDcc so pleasant that
he repeats It rather rashiy. three months
before the opening OF tho play he had proposed by
| letter 90 widow, Mr., Brewster and not having
received an answer concludes he Is re,ectcd Ihero-
upon he proposes 20 another widow, Mrs Joyr who
like all the pr cpal Characters OF tho first act IL
saying at the Fifth Avenue Hotel She accepts him
and he proceeds to tell his happiness to another
widow, d" his. atson,' but does SO In such anbtsu
Gus terms that she thinks he Is proposing Tor her
hand and also accepts him
While In this awidi dilemma, a letter from Mrs
Brewster Is handed TO hi. Ii states that his pro-
posal had gone astray In the mails, but had last
been received aud entirely agreeable. Driven
frantic by this accumulation OF acccptances Bundy'
TO Newport In reality, be IS Ia hiding in the hUrci,
but sends daily letters 10 Newport to he feniaIlcd
from there to his numerous sweethearts. lie hndS
the composition Of 81 many ove-letters rksome and
therefore writes the form to each proceed ng
which causes some funny situations The uompiicar
LIE th'v are co"irrc1 s sniii" az 10 Sem, awaIs ~
arise naturally IL 1, only after many pefiis and
Adventures including bi iei incarceration Ia a PHI
vate lunatc asylum, whittier he has been tahen In
mis- fake hat l1.lea IA,
and Il is to be presumed fnds hsppines, IN The arms
married Just before his abduction. The da-
oguo Is remarkably bright, Astounding In
v'dual and spon aoeous. One other great merit that
the comedy possesses Is that 1t I, thoroughly ccan
Mr.. Reed played Bundy' in excellent style. His
method IS slngularly neat and quick. and all his
points were made with and unfailing certainty.
The part was originally played by the late John r.
nsr are ofen 70 inscen Of his prcdecessor tbonSb
he probably never saw him In this character and Is
Reed and tn. paSllc arc to be cong atuated on his
success Ia 'mr. 3 nS from the song anddanca comedy
The support afforded by william C. Andrews. led.
Hight, Alice Hastings Annie evils and Bessie Hunter
was good. Mr. Detwyn was noisy and oyeracted
a great deal In what, In capable hands, would have
been an amusing iole
DEACON BRODIE AT THE FIFTH AVENUE.
The strong and gloomy play OF Deacon Brodie,"
written by Robert Louis Stevenson and W. f. Henley.
was presented before crowded house at tho Fifth
Avenue Theatre last evening by Edward Henley and
his company This play Is worthy of the mind that
comedy ed Treasure Island" 1t is powerful and
absorbing in It's interest that It kept every hearr to
the end though the hideOus story of or me and blood
is unrclleved by contrast. Ii is all shadow and no
light. Like the marvellous tale of piracy which was
one OF Stcvensons earlier successes 1t cFanned WITH
horrors.
1t was presented IN a way that found favor with tho
house. The burden of the performance, of course,
falls chiefly The shoulders OF Mr.. Henley, who lacks
the power to touch the heart with sympathy, but Is
Impressive by turbulent earnesiness AMI energy. Tho
parts OF Moore " Huntr and Anse" were pre-
scnted with a brutal and effective real ism which
smacked of lola The acting of Miss Carrie COOe az
Jean Watt" merits o word Of commentator Tho
play Is likely to fill the theatre during Mr. Henley's
engagement. Every who IL ia 20 talk
about It for it never dull and its strong viii
not easily DO forgotten.