The evening world., 1894-10-16
THE TRANsGREssoR."

| out unnecessary VerDlaRe. gnat Is wnat
everybody wants to-day. The unfor-
tuLate dramatic critic who feels that
he positively has people depending on
his Investigations is uneasy and op-
pressed. Occasions often arise when he
wishes that he had never been born.
This Is one of them. Miss Nethersole
has been very largely doomed as the
coming actress, the Bernhard Of the
future Sarah forgive itD, the great
dramatic novelty--and so on. She comes
forward with the mark branded on
her forehead-branded there by ill-ad-
vised admirers, and under those circum-
stances IT is always difficult to shine.
The stars in the heavens above would
grow pale beneath such obstacles.
Miss Nethersole made her first appear
ance In America at Palmer's Theatre
last nigt In a play by A. w. Cattle, en-
titled THE Transgressor." She was
fearfully nervous, poor little lady-so
nervous at first that she transposed
words. but she overcame this sensation
later on. and gave tolerably fair dis
play OF what she can do. She is nice
looking-not pretty-with features on
which the placidty of Mrs. Kendall.
Helen Dauvray and Jane Hading seems
to be the most striking characteristic.
She is slight and small but she is not
sinuous or graceful. Her appearance in
fact, Is most eminently commonplace
not that this matters very much.
stars can triumph over physical facts,
and beautiful women are sometimes
luminously stupid.
The young actress was called upon to
play the part of girl who has married
silver haired gentleman. She loves
him fervently. and believes that at the
time of their marriage he was widow
er. 1t is discovered, however, that Eric
Langley's wife lives She is hopelessly
insane. and has been in that condition
twenty years. A railway accident
robbed her of her reason. Eric seems to
be a most uncanny person. For two
decades he had not even looked upon his
wife, because when she went insane she
gave a horrible laugh, and that fright
ened him. Sylvia has a big scene when
she learns how she has been deceived.
but she clings 20 Eric. and at the end OF
the play a telegram is received bearing
the news of the wifes death.
How did Miss Nethersole interpret
these episodes? In the first two acts,
where she is supposed to be fascinating,
ingenious, girlish and natural, she over
acted most lamentably. She laughed
irrtatingly, she gurgled. she kissed-and
with what large. noisy, smacking kisses
she overwhelmed them all!-she threw
herself about the stage and she clawed
at tho air. Such simple phrases as
"Will you have a cup of tea?" or Some
more cake?" were uttered by her in the
most theatrical way. There was not
vestige OF ease or repose in her man
ner. She did not save herself up for
her big scene. 1t was perpetual strug-
gle for effect-a case of stage manager
needed very badly. The programme de-
clared that Miss Nethersole supervised
the production herself. She should in
stantly secure an assistant
The big scene came in due course.
Mind. we had suspended all Judgment
until this scene arrived. We were still
disposed to adore Miss Nethersole. We
made all necessary allowances for her
timidity, due to the ordeal . through
which she was passing. Alas! in the
third act Miss Nethersole was absolute
| ly crude. She had one or two quiet, ad-
mirable moments. instants OF pictur-
esque theatricalism. but they were few
and far between. She ranted; she tore
her hair (and poor Wilton Lackaye's. a.
welD: she pulled down her eyes unit
| they Japanesed themselves; she extend
ed her mouth: she clutched at every
body. and she chewed up the scenery.
Miss Nethersole has dramatic instinct
of course she has temperament, as well
but at present her ability has not ma
tured. She is not ripe enough to star
She would be n valuable leading lady
and a good stage manager would be o.
infinite service to her. At least. that II
what her performance last night sug
gested. In other plays, she may develol
other personal advantages. 1t would b'
absurd TO condemn her irrevocably. be
cause she failed in play that is simpl,
beneath contempt
1t is a positive duty. however. to ad
that there are leading ladies here VIII
would have done infinitely better. With
out seeing Miss Nethersole again, dis
tinctly assert that she is not to be com
pared with either Julia Arthur or Min
ME Seligman. Miss Arthur. who electr
fled an audience in such a villainou
|
made THE Transgressor" tolerabl,
, Miss Nethersole moreover, is not a
good an artist as Mrs. Bernard Beer,
She Is younger, comelier, more pleasing
but she is unable TO score the fine point
that poor Mrs, Bernard Beere succeede
in realizing.
Mrs. Bowers was the best member {
the supporting company. She did rC
4 markably well with a bad part, and sh
could teach the young actSss thing c
. two. Grant Stewart was effective In III
i role OF a clergyman-an excellent part,
and Mr.. Lackaye was soulful as III
! silly husband OF the demented lady. Bl
where did Mr.. Lackaye get his evenin
r clothes? Where did he raise that whit
waistcoat, that seemed to be huttone
under his chin? II made him look like
master Of ceremonies at an east-sid
ball. ]. II, Barnes was unimpressive an
;, weak, but e NJ. Holland did a good dei
: with q few lines.
= The way of THE Transgreasor''
: hard. There's no doubt about that.
ALAN DALE