New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-21
THE DRAMA.
MR.. CRANE AS BROTHER JOHN.

The night made interesting at the star Theatre
by the representation OF o new play called Brother
John" This written by Miss Martha Morton. and
Mr. Crane played the chief part In IT, That comedian
possesses In an uncommon degree the faculty OF I'm
parting to play that is essentially fragile Illogical
and Insignificant the appearance Of power. cOerencc
and meaning. lie displayed that power on this occa-
sion with excellent results. His impersonauon OF
John llacket, rural manufactures OF hats
Familiarity entitled Brother John-was both charming
with kindly sincerity and droll with humor and
though little monotonouS it steadily held and pleased
the attention OF a numerous and eager audience. The
play through which he sported radically COM
monplace 1t was the story OF an episode In the lie
Of several men and women OF Connecticut. who went
to Long Branch, and there became Involved In debt
and difficulties. from which they wcrc eventually
extricated by the liberaly, WISDOM and many vr-
tues Of their relative. Brother John. The Intention
manifestly, the ancient and useful one, OF
asserting the superiority OF bucoDc goodness
over civic evil. Mrs. MewattS old comedy OF
Fashion," and Mrs. Bateman's old comedy Of Self"
were formerly prominent as types Of that order OF
dramatic monition. Miss Morton has provided
fresh set Of Incidents, to enforce the timehcnorcd
precept. Her rural adventurers and her social
schemers wcre however, found TO be grossly exagger
ated, and 1t seemed evident that her observations
whether OF rural felicity or metropolitan vice, have
been superficial and inaccurate. Connecticut is not
distant from New York, side. and Boston on the
OF the probable conditions OF life at Long Branch
The beatifc halter Of act first could not
become the astounded and comic simpleOn
Of act second. Such colo1ucs allotted to
the Van Sprague family, In their confidential arrange
ments as to matrtmony, were accepted with some
establishment In those old times when Dickens drew
Edith Granger and Mrs. Skewton; but nobody has
dreamed OF taking that view Of fashionable life as
serious view. Miss Morton however. obviously was
compelled. by her plan, TO COLOMBO Long Branch with
men OF sin and women Of greed, In order that the
good halter might have the glory OF rescuns his ride
uous relatives from adequate ENHANCEMENT OF peril
Mr.. Crane carried It all, with unequvocal sincerity
His characteristic attributes reappeared In the imper
sonation Of Brother John and OF course they gave
great pleasure. Those attributes comic force and
waggish drocry, covering but not concealing energy
of character and strong emotion There n young
brother. not overnight In mind 10 be taken from the
clutches OF a gambler. and there was IA girl whose
father had been ruined and driven TO suicide by
false friend. 10 be rcinstated In her rights. Those
victories for virtue duly gained, and Mr. Hackets
hats were Incidentally landed upon successful
market As picture Of life, study OF manners, or
a reflection Of character the piece is trivial The
persons in II and hover and drift. and there Is
general mistiHcss over all-such as usually exists
upon vague purpose disconnected with executive
dramatic faculty. The lesson was not worth the
trouble that has been taken TO enforce It. Tile chief
woman in the piece passes most OK
the evening IN her drawing room Ihe
mental condition OF the plebaid pronlgate so
encrgetiCally acted by Mr.. GllInour coulo
MT be comprehcnded. He Is too noble
being a bad man-to marry the girl who loves him.
but he is MT noble enough to refrain from acting the
sharper to fleece and ruin tipsy smpleton. The
part Ct the infatuated boy was played with
real tmch Of nature by Mr.. J. WhcelocE jr.-ln
whom was evident the distinct trace Of fine inherited
talent The piece abounded with "feelers.' and
these were acted BY Mr.. Shannon, Mr.
De vere Padgett and others. An impossible rural
Jade was excellcnty given by Mrs. Augusta Foster
but no art and experience could redeem such an
ideal OF character. Women, In the mot une1uchtcd
walks OF country life. too shrewd TO develop such
gross stupidity. The piece was set in remarkably
fine scenery and II recclved-as everything else
Is, In this extraordinary epVch-with rapture.
This Is the full cast OF parts: