The evening world., 1894-02-06
BUTTERFLIES"

Plays containing "idcas' and "thco-
ries'' and purposes" have been very
numerous of late. They have come to
us from England. France and Germany,
anxious to prove here what they proved
there. They were rejected scornfully.
New York has not yet arrived at a
period when It can enjoy an amicable
discussion of dangerous realities. 1t pre-
fers to overlook those realities alto
gether, or to skate over the thin Ice that
hides them from view.
Henry Guy Carleton, the author Of the
new play. butterflies" that was pre-
scented for the first time In this city mt
Palrner's Theatre last night. must know
all this. He has put together three acts,
among which there Is not a single idea
divided. He has introduced us to some
bright dialogue. one or two pretty Incl
dents and several nice people, most OF
whom are in love with each other.
They trifie Joyously through the scenes,
pelt each other with rose leaves. run
races on n leary Lenox lane and play
peek-a-boo behind n giant oak. They
soliloquize frequently, and they are ut
cross purposes occasionally to vary the
monotony. There Is not an unpleasant"
thought In the entire piece-nll is idyllic,
sweet and perfect-a picture OF true
American life. which. as we all know,
simply reeks with poetry.
Mr.. Carleton tried one situation" but
1t was so grotesque hat It was bathos.
Frederick Ossian. the hero. had to do
something self-sacrifcing to bring down
at least one curtain. He could not save
Miriam from a villain-because there
was no villain: he could not foil an ad-
venturess-because there was no adven-
turess. Guess what he did? Mrs. Bev-
erly Stuart Dodge, the mother OF the
girl he loved. and n horrible upstart who
had snubbed him persistently, was
dunned by IA dressmaker. The dress.
makers agent followed her to Florida
and was about to present the bill when
Frederick Ossian advanced with all a
hero's fervor and for the sake of the
girl he loved paid the bill with his last
check. This was so funny and sc
original that II quite Cheered the heart.
Frederick Ossian loved Miriam. Andrew
Strong. his friend, loved Suzanne Elise
and Suzanne Elise's father loved Fred,
erick Ossian's mother. Mr.. Carleton ha!
not disturbed their love by any plot. A
sort OF Arcadia liz made OF St. Augustine
Florida. and an arcadian annex o'
Lenox. The girls wear the prettlest sorr
OF dresses. and the young men are thu
butterflies" those amiable people whC
flutter about and do nothing at all for {
livelihood, the principal object of theil
lives being the uttering OF gent,
nothings into the ears of comely maid
nest In plays of this sort, but the hyme
neal altar is its goal. After all. wha
more Is needed to frivol away tw,
or three hours? butterflies Is ex
actly like "a good many other plays, foI
another turn to the merry Kaleidoscope
Is all that Is needed. The hit OF tn,
evening was made by Miss Olive May,
DELIGHTFULLY."- clever young woman and al
actress who acts. 1t Is a long time sine,
New York has seen so admirable a per
Torrance as hers was. l want to Civ,
her just one little bit OF advice-slnccrcl,
offered and 1t Is that she will try to for
get the audience In front Of her. Thi
undergraduates was the only defect II
her work. John Drew did very well n
Frederick Ossian, but 1t was n part tina
afforded by THE Masked Ball" Mis-
Maude Adams. who looked weary an,
worn, was satisfactory, and 80 wer
Miss Kate Meek and Harry HARDWOOD.
ALAN DALE.