Omaha daily bee., 1893-12-15
4 MUSE IA ESTS.

There is genuine hope for the American
drama solong as such plays as "FrIends' are
written. While the story is mot any more
original than Il score of plays that have seel
the light in the past dozen years, it is de-
lightfully unconventional There are breezy
dialogues, the humor is fresh and original,
in fine, it is a 'brainy' effort by a young
American, who shows in this, his maiden
effort, the N instinct, which, coupled
with literary ability, is bound to win Edwin
Milton Roylca place in the annals OF Amer
lean dramatists.
Friends is reminiscent of "Our Boys"
in part. but only in the association of two
young men who buffet the waves of adver-
slty and who rise eventually on the topmost
crests of success. There is a genuine Nor
man flavor about the devotion of these two
nineteenth century knights. and the auditors
at Boyd's last evening went home with
more generous ideals than they have had in
many a long time. Now and then Mr.. Royle
shows the amateur playwright in his situa-
lions, but 1t has been a very long time since
two stronger curtains have o3en seen on the
local stage than in the second and third acts
OF "FriendS.n In point OF mise Ell scene, in
fine detail and in the legitimate leading up
to the climaXes, Mr.. Royle shows a profound
appreciation of the French school. He has
been Il student of Moliere and Sardou, and
he has unconsclously absorbed the best
methods of these great masters of strong
situations.
In addition to a most charming per-
Torrance, the pleasure of the evening was
still further enhanced by the piano number
by Lucius Henderson, who plays one of the
BOYS" Adrain Karje, and plays the part
with excellent appreciation of its possibil-
tiles. 1T was a novelty to hear in n comedy
dies" by List, and the beautifully written
"Pasquinade' by GottsChalk-Joseffy. The
young actor showed considerable technique
in the rendition of the numbers, playing the
"Pa%squinade" with excellent feeling.
Jack Paden, jr., the young fellow with a
penchant for making verses and the literary
end of the firm of Karje a. Paden is played
By Mr.. Royle himself, the only wonder at
the performance being that so clever an
author could mako so good an actor.
While inclined to heroic sometimes, as q
whole, the impersonation was finely finished,
although no has unconce rnedly given to
Jack many of the clever lines of the play
but in this he is pardonable, for the lines
are good, which cannot be said of some of
the plays that have had more pretentious
beginnings than Friends"
.Selena FeJter. Roylc. as the warm hearted
actress, Marguerite, made a fine impression
in Il part that fits her perfectly. She is n
conscientious player whose work is always
clean cut.
Probably the strongest bit of character
work seen on the local stage in years
role OF Hans Otto, the opium fiend. tits a
terribly realistic portrayal sending a thrill
Of genuine horror through the body that
men can possibly reach such degrading
levels, Harry Allen is delightful in the part
of the crusty old father OF Jack, playing it
with a breeziness that made n favorable I'M
preston with the audience. Henry
Bergman, an excellent actor.
plays the cool, calculating arch
plotter with ability, his scene in the third
act stamping him as a superior actor.
Carrie Berg makes IA most lovable "little
mother while Miss Louise Wakelee, in the
small part of Miss Woke, gives evidence OF
n comedy vein that should be strengthened
by the author-actor with a few more lines.
The play was received splendidly, and
people who are of a literary turn OF mind
cannot pass a more delightful evening than
in the company of "Friends."