The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-16
ADJUSTMENTS.
"Dr1ftine" and "Mary Maberiy 1.-THE Thea
tre OF Arts and Letters.


tre OF Arts and Letters
Two new plays we're acted at Proctor's Thea
tire last evening. Drifting" was a brief
piece BY Emma V. Sheridan and Evelyn snth-
erland The theme was the elusive quality
OF maidenliness In girlhood. and tho illustra-
ton consisted OF q parting Interview be-
tween worldly man and an unworldly girl
They had spent a sentimental summer to-
gether. lie had not meant to inspire love in
her. and being told by an Interested observer
that he had done so. he undertook to make 1t
clear to her. gently and delicately. that his
attentions had been honorable enough. but
not serious. He had regarded their agree
able acquaintance as that Of passing
season. with nothing in particular to follow.
The dialogue between these two persons OK
pressed the girls childish misunderstanding.
an arousal of passion in the man. then her first
comprehension OF tho truth. and finally her
dismissal OF him with womanly dignity sud-
donly acquired
Drifting" was a well-worded study OF
hearts. and Its authoress had doubtless pur-
posely avoided dramatic effects. Miss Sheri-
dan is an uncommonly clever writer. as we'll
as an nble actress. and SO the absence OF the
atric effects must be attributed to intention.
Nelson Whcatcrofts skilful elocution was
not for IN instant ut fault in the impersonn-
ton OF the man in the case. Kuhne Beveredge.
whom the public has recently learned Of as n
sculptress. made her debut as an actress
In the role OF the maiden. Miss Beveredge
was beautiful. and not awkward. but
she evncsd no talent The little play had
three minor characters. The impression that
1t made was not deep. but on the whole pleas
ant. and to the help rather than the harm Of
the literary reputation OF the Misses Sheridan
and Sutherland. II strongly dramatic play
had followed. the evening would have proved
one Of entertainment.
J. sinso s sef had neither POSITIVE merits Of
strength nor negative nceties Of weakness
Tho Iiii said It was a dramatic Impression"
1t was not oven an effort to no singular. so
far as could be determined by an auditor mn-
plot OF it was that two London friends loved
the same girl. and they agreed between them
LETT left IN possession. willis the other esilsd him.
hs s ne sfiSsG
had quit tho country she married third
sutton Ten years later ,e the exile returned for
ksn-hear:ed: but his hatred OF tho woman
turned to love again. and he saved her, from
ing her. as he had menntto.
Except IN the Termination min Il Of tho play; sud.
MARY Maberly ITO denote the pen OF an i'm
rressioni,t." or the pen Of ANYTHING snve a
conventionaliy strong drama OF fashionable
society in London.
some OF the personaces had titled names.
and wit ilickered feebly. several times. but
without once rising to flash. There was no
distinct Characterization. and nothing in the
composition itself that reused the audience
saver. and i as no is u forcsfai actor. he i'm.
parted It times "a ssmblH H Of power to his
ins her Amercan DEBUT as The heroine Was
not similarly able to infuse heart. soul. or any
A it would t 10 unjust to condemn her. how
as Mary shaw and MaHd Harrison he'd de-
a and Mrs %enn were in the " east but e HER
careful services did not help to save the play.
Tho acting OF these two plays served as tho
opening exercises q, Henry p, McDowell,s
Processes to believe that good literary quality
in a dramatic composition is almost sure to
M at st.. nothing
more than the laudable purpose Of giving pub
lie hearing to authors OF meritorious yet I'M
6undrsS men . and Tomsn: Of ss;ogps
the use OF their names as an advisory COM
mittee. In due time circular was issued. in
vitinC friends Of the enterprise to subscribe
for . series OF hve performances at $50 per
That seemed high price. and it raised the
vs% ai Mr. Tsa art 1T
in DISPUTE and cannot be settled here.
1here were ABOUT oOO persons IN tne tneatr0
last night. and they did not get $4,000 worth
Of amusement. The performance should
Tho casts wore Of mixed professional actors
and amateurs. Tho scenery was not very
good nor all new
The production was not such as ono OK
poets. as q matter Of course. in any theatre OF
the rss hisb s n OF me
literary and fashionable people. was mani
tested by q silence that meant as much disap-
proval as Bowery assemblsCe would express
In riot