The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-04-28

The author of 1.-THE Silver King,
next perhaps to Mr.. Pinero, ranks as
the greatest master of dramatic writ
ing in contemporary England. We in
this country do not exhibit the unway.
ering devotion which Englishmen man.
ifest for the melo drama, whether as
regards the tsnique of its construction.
it be good or bad. There are some Of
MS, at least. who regard with suspicion
any attsmpt to manifest genius in the
melo-drama intermingling of Saints
and Sinners, upon the ground that 1t
violates probability, overstr aims cred
ullty and savors too much of a promis-
euous hawking about Of assorted hui
man emotions. Yet as this effort WAS
portrayed to us in tho new Frothing-
ham last night by the incompatible
organization Of PLAYERS which Mr..
Palmer has brought together, the COM
bined skill of playwright aud actors
proved triumphant over critical resist
ance, and we accepted Mr.. Jones
workmanship, in spite Of its somewhat
conventional theme, as we would ac'
cept an old sermon, when delivered by
an inspired evangel.
The author, at the very beginning,
piques curiosity in his placing of the
central figure in the Christian minis
try. Among those wko yet retain o
trace OF that early bslief in the ire
cOncilable antagonism between thea
tricals and morals this deed might
have been esteemed daring and i'm.
pudent. Such judgment would have
been most unjust As outlined by the
author and portrayed In consummate
faithfulness by j. II. Stoidsrt. the role
of Jacob Fletcher, the minister ranks
as high in the list Of noble creations as
any Of which there is any record in
literature. In reinsurance OF those
who may think 1t necessary for the
serious drama to point moral" as
well as "adOrn tale 1t deserves
to be said that in no contemporary
stage creation is there conveyed a more
lofty and eloquent lesson in n more et.
lrctive and memorable manner than IS
conveyed IN this play, saints anl Sin
uers as it is presented by the thorough
artists to whom its roles have been en-
trusted. The quiet. unobtru usiye hero.
ism; the steadfast. inhsxible purpose
Of tAis humble clergyman amid trials
thnt might well have caused his whole
profession to totter and Weld. forms an
oil ct lesson the more thought OF which
Will ever inspire all who were so For
tunate ss 20 have shared IN its tuition.
In n purely artistic sense, the acting
Witnessed last evening by q select but
insufficient audience will rank superior
10 any ever previously viewed in %
scranton theater This Is said without
reservation, and is meant espt cially for
those who affect to dsride the low local
standard o, stage performance. yet
withhold their encouraging support
when given opportunity to witness
earnest work by thorough masters Of
their profession IL seems almost like
hegKary Of our mission 10 be com.
pslled to spsak 10 terms OF rscommen-
dation for company that NUN
hers in its ranks artists like
Mr. Stodlart. Mr.. Laekaye, Mr.
Bill and Mr.. Holland, aud that, among
Its women, can present an artistic 30
sympathetic, beautiful and accomp-
llshsl as Miss Bouton Yet the empty
seats which last evening rewarded
their united efforts from curious and,
TO our mind. a painful commentary on
the di'cerumsnt Of our local theater
patrons The two performances today
deserve 10 be attended IN sufficient
mum uers to more than compensate for
the partial inaiequacy OF lut nights
reception The ocrantonian who neg.
lects this magnificent chance will not
deserve another.