Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-15
A Story of RinaIdo.


An actor who loves his art is always longing
for new play of real value; the manager who
loves his bank account has the same desire,
and the public with an eye to entertainment
also hungers for a new play and a good play.
All of them are doomed to disappointment
most of the time. But MIR. Joseph Haworth,
who comes surely under the head of actors at
tached to the histrionic art in the highest
sense, confessed to me yesterday that he
hugs to his bosom the belief that he has
a new play that is verify good play. 1t is
formidable drama in four or five acts and writ
ten in blank verse. A year ago a manager
showed me a specimen of the verse and my
recollection is that it was decidedly above the
average modern blank verse. which, by the
way, is usually blank in more senses than one.
The play is called "Rinaldo'' and its author is
Ernest Lacy, young Philadelphian Of inde-
pendent means and culture. He is a very
young man, but that should not be bar to his
writing an actable play when it is considered
that Boucicault wrote London Assurance"
when he was Is.
Mr. Haworth briefly sketched the plot for me
yesterday, and it is undeniably strong in the
most essential qualities Rinuldo is a young
doctor living in Italy in medieval times. He
goes from his village home to the city of Flor
ence to pursue his profession. Helena, his
fiancee, he leaves behind him, and the villain
of the play TomdSo, makes love to her, but his
suit excites scorn alone. Then to COM
promise Rfndldo plot is carried out
by Iomuso by which the former is per-
suaded to wed an adventures named
Bel Colore. The forsaken Helena appears in
time to see the wedding ceremonies begin,
and leaves Florence broken-hearted. Desper-
ADDE'S hired by the villain try to kidnap her dur
ing the Journey but faithful servant Of
;,,r 1-iIf hor
But overcome by the stress of sorrow Helena
is brought to the verge of the grave and ap-
parently dies in the cell OF hermit who had
given her shelter.
In the meanwhile 1on1aso and Bel Colore
concoct scheme to poison Rindldo, and pre-
pare cup of drugged wine. But RinaIdo
overhears the conspirators, and, taking ad-
vantage of an old Italian privilege to the last
conner to propose health. takes cup of un-
tainted wine and hands the poisoned one to
Tonldso. This is strong situation, of course
heightened by the reluctance of Tomaso to
drink and Rinaldos mocking insistance as a
physician that he shall take the draught for
his health. Finally 1omaSo is compelled to
drink. In the confusion that follows the ad-
ventures is slam also. This leaves Rtnaldo
alone in his misery. To him then in
his character of surgeon, grave
robbers bring the stolen body of
Helena, who has been buried. The recog-
milton Of his love in the pale corpse affords a
great situation for RindLdo, the relief from
which is brought about by the revival OF
Helena.
In this brief sketch not more than a skeleton
of the play can be discerned, but Mr.. Haworth,
in his recital of the story yesterday. gave it a
goodly form of flesh, and the dramatic force of
the drama became apparent. 1t is time for a
playwright of positive genius to arise, and Mr..
Lacy will be welcomed if he deserves to be.