The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-10
Edwin Arden md "Raslon.- Why"

Remarkably strong In several of it's serious
episodes was Raglan's Way" the new drama
by Arden Smith and Edwin Arden. at the
Union Square Theatre last evening. But the
matters which interviewed were not equally
meritorious. and the plays theme was much
less original than some OF its treatment. A
girl had a good and bad wooer. She
loved the undeservng one. AMI married
the other married life Of insiucerity and
MISUNDERSTANDING led into enlargement. until
at length death took the rascal out OF the way
and the little child Of the husband and wife re-
united them in a prospect Of happy wedlock
The story has been written over and over
for perusa and for the stage. but
never yet did IL leave or with happily
coupled man and woman. Thore is always tho
unsatisfactory condition OF II wife hereaved Of
her real lover, and only reconci.ed to be as
happy rs she can with her spouse. Such was
the case with "Ragans Way" and therein 1t
WAS old. familiar, and Intellectual rs q dramatic
entertainment.
There were scenes OF great intensity and
agitation, however. excellent in device and
measurably so in execution. which exacted alb
sorbed attention on the rart OF not very I'm
presslonabie June audience. Tho best OF
these melodramatic passages was duel in the
dark. according to Russinn usage. in
which tho antagonists smoked cigars and
fired at the bits o; light. The scound e
moved the cigar from his mouth and hcih It at
arms length. But the good fell W, not wish
ing to kiIl his adversary, aimed ASIDE from he
ard accidentally That sort OF due had
. 81 amns, 'rys sre, n"4 hsar sems eGns
applandea it, Another Justly approved
situation twas turbulent encounter of the
vic with tho two men who loved her. and
even IN the Una peace wrought in the house
hold by the chilI. hacknc,ed and inevitable
recourse OF the playwriEhts though 1t WAS. not
"a little ingenuity oil detail WAS involved In the
management OF tho situation
AS "a te Tirs GGmPGsi%Cn ion, ia haGlans Way
terse, expressive and suitable in the sedate
parts. GsnerHlly k"epi9G ,snfeIy ~ owe the
those Eowery audiences Which are
S"rsrs The comedy asm 1 we're Sr
worse. most intolcrAble ana misrepresentinR
American girl figuring onenslvely in the Eng
lish estate where the action was situated But
the work. taken as whole. WAS OF respectable
quality.
win Arden. who had for several ycnrs stood
for mimic hnroism IN east sidc 'heaties. Mr..
nestpess, aud u vocal outfit calculated to real,
handsome. and his .psrs3nality is rot
tinction TO his poltravnls there is n manifest
stress and strain. and an indulgence in man
nifty al odds: His role last night was that Of
an unloved husband. who vcered In his course
from wild Jealousy to utter auatty. and ut times
became quito incomprehensihls OF purpo-e.
lie had moments .: nerceness which
ssgGed nf into no feeling ut all. or
else into passion 30 restrained aS to
be imperceptible Some OF his utterances,
poses. AMI facial expressions were dangerously
like hurlesGue tragedy Nevertheless Young
earlier employment with Booth evinced. and
he is outtlttel for u fair EXPONENT Of meo-
drama. He speaks better than he looks and
port may como with age.
Tho foremost performer was Minnie SeliG-
man, whose impAsRiOnrd style and moving
force belittlod the actor exploited In the bills
Nelson WheatcrOr's william was a 40 a moro
consequential parsonage than Arons hero
Annie Blanche wRs comichl Rs the American
hoyden and no more impulito than her ungra-
cious task required. The scanery WAS new and
good. and the production sklliul und careful.
" ROhemiaa Girl" mt tho Grand opera