The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-04

A Great American PIay.

The birth of 1.-The Senator" with which
the name OF w. II. Crane has become 30
thoroughly identified. may be fairly said
N have been the birth Of the long wished
Cor school OF American dramatic litera-
ture. with this play, to which the come
dian has devoted himself exclusively TOT
the past two years. came an awakening
of interest In the work OF native play
wrights. and since its production many
American dramas have been presented,
some of which have proved emlnently
successful. though none have as yet
oui.e reached to the standard set by 1.-THE
senator" When Mr.. Crane first decided
10 become a lone star in the theatrical
heavens the American stage was occu-
pied almost wholly by plays OF English
French, or German extraction. he an
nounced his intention of producing native
plays. and invited the bright young writ
ers of this country to submit manuscripts
10 him. That his policy was wise one
from a financial standpoint, as well as
patriotic one has been proven by the
wonderful success OF THE Senator For
two years he has been unable TO play
ANYTHING else. 80 uniformly large and
enthusiastic have been his audiences, and
the runs I'm individual cities have been so
long that 1.-The Senator" is still unknown
TO two-thirds Of the play-going public.
New York had the play for the better
part of the fall seasons, and did not
weary of 1t, and this the third season
Of Mr.. Crane with the play finds 1t as
fresh and sparkling as ever. with worlds
yet unconquered before it.
"The Senator" is, above all things,
typical American play, and is OF what
the nation has a right to be proud. 1t
=. -. IL. No.
Lloyd, who died before seeing the Won
derful result of his labor. and Sydney
Rosenfeld. who drew their inspiration
wholly from native sources. The records
of Congress furnished the data from
which they worked, and they set about
constructing a play which should deal
plainly with certain governmental abuses
which require reforming. The story fol-
lows very closely the actual facts Of the
Armstrong claim against the Government
for damages. arising out Of the war OF
1912. The Denman claim i'm the play is
just one, but it has been delayed for
years by congressional red tape until
hope has wellnigh fed from Old Denman.
who has grown poor in his struggle to
secure his rights. At this point the story
OF the play opens, and "The Senator"
appears on the scene He undertakes to
pass the claim, and he does so by heroic
measures. The development Of the work
shows in plain cOlOrs some Of the i'm
projections. to use no stronger word,
of congressional methods. and the play
serves a strong purpose I'm pointing the
way to sadly-needed reform
Every school Of national drama has
beer built upon a solid foundation Of a
purpose TO be accomplished. and in adopt
ing this plan in "The Senator" the au-
: f,-fra 10y In
plays is a great mistake. but 4 serious
motive can be sustained without deGen-
Grating to preaching. and this is what
IS done i'm THE Senator" The auditor
Of any mental capacity will come from
a performance Of the work with some
thing 10 think about though it has not
been imperatively obtruded upon him.
Senator's and Representatives. who have
seen it have always declared their inten-
ton Of striving to effect the reforms
which 1t suggests. and this is the best
possible proof Of the value Of the mo-
tive.
1.-The Senator" however, In spite of its
suggestions Of needed reforms, is a COM
edy. pure and simple. and an American
comedy. at that. Not only is the story
American, but the dialogue is typical Of
the national character. It's farce Is ma
tive and to the manor born, 5nd there is
no draft upon foreign resources for an
idea or a line. The play is brimful of
bright and sparkling lines, and a smile
or a laugh turks behind each serious
sentiment or situation, ready to step to
the front instantly. Mr.. Crane never had
a funnier part to play than that of Sena-
tor Hannibal Rivers, Notwithstanding
the intensely serious nature of the work
he undertakes TO accomplish, and Mr..
Crane nevar anneared IN better advantage
than in this part. He convulses his au-
dience with laughter at every stage
OF the play, but his versatility is such
that at times one hardly knows whether
to laugh or cry. His pathOs is as re-
markable as his humOr, and the two COM
bned stamp him as one Of the finest
comedians, not only Of America, but OF
the world
But 1.-The Senator" is by no means a
One-part play, written 10 display Mr..
Cranes acknowledged brilliant ability at
the expense Of everybody else on the /
stage His supporting company Is com
posed OF admirable artists Of national /
reputation. and every man and woman /
has a character of strong individuality, /
and worth doing well. The result is a /
finished performance. which impresses /
one with a sense of completeness that is /
too often wanting in the plays presented |
by stars. Mr. Crane and his company |
are as responsible for the great success /
of 1.-THE Senator" into which they have /
put the action of life as the authors /
themselves who wrote the lines and sug- /
gested the groupings and pictures. This |
masterpiece OF American dramatic work /
is TO be presented here soon, and our |
citizens will judge for themselves ot the
Justice of the reputation which has pre-