The evening world., 1891-03-31
LEE AvES UR ACADEMY.
"BETROTHEp.' +"

can scarcely believe that II was Alphonse
Dsudet, the namboyant author of "Fromont
Jeune" and "The Nabob," VINO wrote the
lis,less lot Of weariness produced at the Gar
den Theatre last night under the name Of
hBetrothed. for three hours l sat waiting
for some, hing to come" wishing and waiting
30 sadly" like the damsel In the song-but l
waited 10 vain. No Mariana In a double-d dis
titled moated grange grew wearler thau yours
truly. French writer's cannot be success
fully goody-goouy for American audiences.
When Americans and English want analyses
of the human passions then they can turn 10
France, as to an inspired master, and learn
and enjoy. When they want sugar and pretti-
ness they themselves can supply the market
better than any French writer. "The Open
Gate" now TO be seen at the Lyceum Theatre,
Is al exquisite little poem, pathetic and lovely.
=" Betrothed B" Is stupid twaddle, robbed even
Of the literary value 1t must have possessed IN
the original. by villainous translator. 1t sug-
gested Liable Constantin In its in
sipiity.
The story is excessively simple. henri (pro-
nounced Onp -ree last night) loves Madeleine.
Henri's mommer. the Marquisc, knows that
her husband Is insane. q TACT Of which Henri ia
ignorant. Madeleines guardian hears this and
breaks of the match. There is much anguish
and Madeleine. after Infinite purgllng.
nnally decides that she will marry Henri any
way. The incident in the last act, however,
where the nommer Is anxious to make
sacrifice is worth more than mention. 1t is 30
extremely far fetched, that It affected the
audience In q way that would have over
wnelmed Daudet. Men aud women roared.
The Marquise, 10 save her son the agony of
believing that he inherits insanity, resolves to
tell him that her A1sOand was not his father.
In other words, she thinks he would sooner
hear that he has an impure mother than an
insane father. She conndes her scheme to
Prosper, an ugly old busyoody. made up to
look like mummy.
"He Will never believe you," says Prosper.
"Who will tell him this le?"
"You," amlably remarks The sslf-Bacrlncin
mommer.
Prosper has q sort OF Holy Moses exclama-
tion lowering around his lips He says: "But
who eau you name as the man who has wronged
you. ss the father OF your boy'"
81 have found him, she murmured. "He
10 alive. o.. He will neip me-
"Who is 1t ?" queries Prosper.
"It 10 you."
The old fellow nearly has nt He 10 un.
gallant enough 10 culver. Just picture q
woman making such a request Couid any,
tniLg be more asininef The incident 10 per-
fectly useless, for nve minutes later the play
ends happily. This one dramati incident con-
vuised tue audience, and you know how It 10
when you once commence TO laugh. Every
thing seems funny. When the Msrquise began
TO make the revelation to her son, she leaned
her pale mommer face on his arm. Then she
looked up. His sleeve was white as snow.
Sne mad left enough Of her palior ON him to
make a Rood-sized pancake. Henri, grown
suddenly pale IN the scene, began to gesticu-
late, ana the audience was delighted.
There Is scarcely any action to " Betrothed."
1t Is talk, talk, talk, with some beautiful seem
cry. Manager French has certainly done more
than his duty by the play. No more charining
setting could be imagined. Yet do not he
lieve that 1t can possibly save "Betrothed"
from speedy oblivion.
The translator Of Daudets play ought to be
shot, Imagine dainty 'Parisenne remarking,
''oh, you give me the twitters, /" aud another
saying, 81 cannot look; he gives ME the
shivers" shivers and twitters may be very
nice as gifts, but what are they7 Throughout
the play the English is lamen:able.
The hest members OF the east were Mrs
Booth aud Miss Eeanor Carey; the worst j. II.
Gimour. Mr.. Gilmour seems to think that by
throwing himself about the stage he eau pro-
tray emotion. lie dusled the scenes with mis-
agony and almost demolished the furniture
with his distress. MIR. Gilmour appears TO have
studied some old-tlme ranter. His Henri was
bad enough to be ridiculous. Mrs. Booth is
always admirable. Her nere presence upon
the staIe Is comfort. Mlss Isabelle Eves.ou
was lesS happy than usual, and she looked
pretty.
Condensed into curtain-raissr- refuge
for the destitute-l think that "Betrotned"|
might possibly be enduraDle, but four acts OF
III fe godsi ALAN DALE.