New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-27
TIE MASTER OF WOODBARROW.,

Tho annual appearance Of E. H. sothern at tho
Lyccum Theatre has come to be regarded as matter
Of course. and it is looked forward to with pleasant
anticipation by many friendly admirers OF his art as an
actor There are gcnuneness and a sincerity in his
efforts that mako IL pleasure to watch and 10 note
all thAt ne does and the interest Is naturally increased
whenever he presents himself in a new part The
popularity OF Lord Chumley" was such that II has
been considerable time now since Mr. sothcrn hes
needed new piece, aud this again added TO the gen
cral curiosity to see him last night Tile Master
Of woodbarTow.' Tho play is by Jerome X Jerome
tho author of "New Lamps for OM.p which win he
seen in remodelled form at Days Theatre later in
tho season, and Of few books that have gained some
recent popularity.
The construction Of the piece is surprise in some
ways, and, it must be admitted not always a
happy one This is the impression especially
at the end, where the curtain falls on a
simple ana quiet scene pretty enough in ITSELF but
quito without climax and leaving the feeling that there
ought TO be something else not quite 80 much
The story might easily be finished in the previous scene
and this ono seems added purely tell what happened
afterward. though after all, 1t fails to tell it, Be
sides this the second act needs good deal of cutting
in the early part, though the end of it is perhaps bet
ter than the end Of the last There is no intention
to imply that the piece Is altogether lacking in strong
and commendablc features Of the situations are
well conceived and clothed In good language and the
opportunities for good acting The whole of the first
considered dialogue and 1t gives promise of a more
evenly balanced and better centred whole than the
other acts are able to fulfil.
This Tor the construction of the play Of the de-
veopmcnt OF certain characters better things can be
said. Tho most conspicuous, of course, is the one
assumed by Mr.. Sothelr Allen Rolltt. He is a poor
farmer OF Dcvonshirc, who suddenly finds himself in
possession OF fortune Of 100000 lie has become
fascinated by the charms of adventures who finds
it necessary. or at least convenient to gain money
for her wicked husband and father at the expense Of
the unhappy young mans peace Of mind, heart and
bank account. To say that the once merry yeoman
is wrctched IN the very possession OF wealth and the
duties that 1t imposes, even aside from the wes Of
villains. Is expressing ii mildly but with all the
whimsical woes Of countryman trying TO
follow London fashions there is under
current, which finally breaks out full and strong Of
longing for the old home and the simple life Of love
for the mother who is waiting the return OF her son.
aid OF true though unrecognized affection for the
faithful girl who has loved him when he seemed lost
to her, affection that In the end brings him her
SIDE 1t is to be supposed though the end OF the piece
does not distinctly Show it.
Next in interest TO the leading character OF the
piece are those OF the tTo women who are most
prominent the country sweetheart and the city a1.
ventures. They strongly and often finely drawn
and sharply contrasted. The one is woman Of
radiant beauty OF the skn-dcep sort, who never had
real love, who never had principle, and who never
sort Of half life by her feeling, not of love-
for her victim, but of respect and honor. Here
then she shows the better qualities that bad people
the stage often have, and not being altogether
black within she is fair without. she confcSseS
Ter former perfdy TO her victim and him from
further harm The country girl is also not stranger
the stage. She has the beauty that is deeper than
the skin and is the better the deeper ii goes She is
patient in waiting for her tuan lover, she hides her
affection when it is not well that he should Hnow OF
it, and she is ready to welcome him with the warmth
Of true devotion if he will but come back 10 her
There have been many such as she on the stage. IN
fiction and in real life. The interest here IS the com
parisop of her nature with that Of her rival, who IS
her opposite in almost every possible way, and both
parts are the more acceptable from the fact that
neither OF them occupies tue chief place the story
or eXaets tho largest share Of symapthy.
II does much ncoty Of d!sccrnmcnt fer IT'S possihcs
and a finely trained skill in realizing them, Is tlic
chief source Of pleasure and the finest dramatic study
mart shows Ike all that he does, the instincts and
The methods of true artist. 1t is consistent flnc.
even and true and it rises at times 10 conspicuous
heights Of dramatic force. The acting Of Miss Meta
C;uion and Miss Virginia Harmed. as the sweetheart
and the adventures should not be passed over with
ont some word Of praise and credit is also due to
Xnrsfls Cook Kate Denim Wilson and Miss Linda
painbridge. for their excellent representations OF