Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-01-21

may be comparatively good money
winner, although that is excessively
doubtful, but even III IL should be, II
cannot fail to affect Mr.. Potter's rep
utation injuriously. great many
shrewd managers who say David
Belasco's play. The Younger Son, "
were of the opinion that it would make
money, but both the manager OF the
En- pire theater and the author, Belasco,
realized that the longer the play might
live the more harm il would do them
eventually, and so they withdrew II.
This policy, of course. may not be
adopted in the case OF "Our Country
Cousin"-more's the pity. Paul Potter
is apt to surprise us all some day with
the much talked OF ana long looked for
great American play" His "Sheridan"
showed that his constructive talent
is as great as his literary ability, and
and 1t seems too bad that we shall
always be obliged TO have with us the
n.ghtmarsh recollection OF this great
big black blot on his play writing
career.
The plot OF "Our Country Cousins"
Ia unim portant. The main theme is OF
will left by an Australian, by which
the income OF all his vast estate is be-
queathed TO a relative as long as he
shall remain happily married. In case
he and his wife should separate, how
ever, the property is 10 go TO certain
other relatives. The play starts some
what promisiDgly, but there is a quick
letdown. Mr.. Potter has made the the
very great and unusual mistake ofhav-
- too many complications. In most
are enough. The interest
Iof the auditor is not held by "Our
moments at time. The little side
issues distracts one horribly and de-
tract from whatever merit the main in.
cidents might possess. Then, too there
are many absurdly exaggerated speech
es and the situations so very improba-
Die that IL Is impossible for them to
carry conviction even on the stage
There are lots OF good lines in "Our
Country Cousins" and one comedv
character. Page Leroy, a young man
who Is constantly talking medicine and
exercise, is particularly good. Jerome
Leroy, his father, Nirginian, Is a
very humorous character who is very
fond of his ancestry and good liquor.
but, is burlesque. Perhaps IL may even
rise to the dignity of satire. Under no
circumstances, however. could It be
considered a type. Mr. Potter has
taken too many liberties with IL. He
has gone too far. This is also the case
with the character OF Mrs. Captain
wilkins, sort Of female Captain Cut
tie, who might be possible In light
comic opera, but not 10 a serious play.
Geargia Cayvan OF course PLAYED the
part Of the heroine, Garda Leroy. her
work does not change much. She IL
the same Georgia Cayvan who used To
disport herself on che stage OF the Nadi-
son Square theater during It's palmv
days. Strange TO say, Herbert Kelley
was not her husband 10 "Our Country
Cousins" That role was assigned To
+. j. RatclifIe. w. j. LeMoyne. as
the aristocratic old Virginian. contrib.
uted an excellent bit NJ character act
Ing, but the hit 81 the pieco were made
BY FRITZ Williams aud Katherine Flor
euce, the former as Page LEROY. the
man VINO has the penchant for medicine
and exercise, and the latter az Vivian
Grey, the niece OF tho female Cane
CoddOr. These are Two Young actors
who are curt in % get 70 the TOP Of the
ladder " they live and keep on a. thew
have begun. Mr. Williams work is
well known throughout the whole conn
try as one OF the principal members OF
me LyceW theater stock company. but
Miss Florence's name is not familiar 10
most theater gOers, and but. iittIs is
known OF her career except 100 the the.
RtrlcalIy saturated circles