Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-11-11


dence. The fact that pair of recognizedly
great English actors should have bought
play dealing with European subject and
written by an American was enough to ex-
cite interest and to insure in advance a
lenient hearing. But it would be per-
version of the truth to say that The Silver
Shell came up to expectations.
The first act is dreary and unnecessarily
talky and eNplanatory-in short. prolix.
The second act is somewhat better, and the
third act is the best, although it is exceed
iugly artificial, and the intendedly strong
curtain is worked up to with the refresh
ing awkwardness of an apparent amateur
although report has it that Mr. Dam is
playwright of some experience. But it is
the fourth and last act in which the great
letdown occurs. \ drama which has dealt
almost exclusively with anarchists, plots
to kill the car, dynamite bombs and secret
agents is suddenly transformed into a sort
of Little Lord Fauntleroy," in which the
old man and young child episode of that
famous but rather namby PANTY play is
closely followed and in some respects even
surpassed in stupid appeals to what is sup
posed TO be sentiment. The Silver Shelr'
is said to have been a success in England
although it seems Incredible, but / am of
the opinion that it will never go with
American audiences. Still, who knowsg
The success Of such plays as Fedora"
naturally had the effect of bringing into
existence u host OF dramas in which Rus
sian eXiles plotted in Paris against the life
of the ear. The secret agents of the car
and II woman with more or less of a past
were necessary concomitants OF these dra-
matte brain offspring All of them sug-
gested Fedora" but none of them ever
approached it in point of human interest,
Nirility of treatment or strength of con-
struCtion. The subject has been such an
alluring one to dramatists with moro ap-
probation of their ability than originality
that many a frail craft has been launched
upon the sea where Sardou's masterwork
was triumphant. Up to this time the re-
suit has always been the same.
Imperfect equipment has caused the com
pariSou. which was inevitable, to be to the
detriment OF the imitators with the usual
result-disaster Ii is scarcely to be ex-
pected that Mr., Dam could write a better
play than Sardou on lines laid down by
the great Freuchman, and yet that is just
what he seems to have imagined he could
do and just what he has not done. Were
it not for the fine acting of the Kendals.
particularly Mr.. Kendall, The Silver
Shell" woTkl come dangerously close to be-
ing flat failure.
No matter what Boston and Philadelphia
may have thought of James \. Herne's
play, shore Acres" New York appears to
have taken kindly to it, and the notices
which our usually hypercritical critics have
given the piece are particularly commenda-
tory IN their tone. Whether this will
amount to enough to guarantee shore
Acres long life in this city remains to
be seen, but it is certain that every one who
has seen it is enthusiastic in its praise.
1t would be hard matter to find a more
perfect or more wholesome play than Lib
erty Hall, " and yet it drew very small audi
ences TO the popular Empire theater, with
its fine stock company. Why? Ask the
managers, and they will tell you it is be-