New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-13
THE MASQUERADERS.
MR.. HENRY ARTHUR JONEs'S NEW PLAY
AT THE ST JAMESS THEATRE-MR.
GEORGE ALEXANDER-MRS. PAT
RICK CAMPBELL.

LONDON, April %.
The production Of Mr.. Henry Arthur Jones's
'Masqueraders' raises in the sharpest way the
question whether there be or be not such thing
as dramatic truth. or a dramatic and literary con-
science 1t is a play In which truth Is sacri-
feed TO stage effect and-which Is the worst OF
it-sacrihced successfully. The ending or the
third act the gambling scene which Is the ell
max Of the piece was rewarded with roars OF APP
plause The roars re-echoed in some OF this
mornings papers. Mr. Jones is praised un-
blushingly for the very qualities In which his
play is most conspicuously defcient-for fresh
ness for analysis OF society and character for
Heaven save the mark-li;orary finish. In the
presence Of such a success in the theatre.-due
though 1t certainly was in large degree to the
, brilliancy and strength of the acting-and OF
such panegyrlc from some OF the authorized ex-
ponents Of dramatic criticism 1t IS surely time
to ask whittier play-wri,ing is drifting in Eng
land and what the true function OF criticism
really Is. To which end. let us see how this
piece is put together. and in what sense Mr..
Jones holds the mirror up to nature. give only
such an outline Of the plot az may make the chief
scenes and characters Ineligible.
The action opens In the barroom Of the STAG
Hotel. at Crandover. The heroine bears the
fantastic name Of Drilcie Larowdie, barmad.
whose family has seen better days She her
self has been governess. tires Of that trade, and
chooses the profession Of female tapster as one
promising a wider view OF life and more excite
ment. The excitement she gets. She has two
lovers. Sir Brcc Skene. zone OF the choicest
blackguards in Europe" and David Remon. an
astronomer with specially for sun-spots and
tiresome pertinacity about a star in Andromeda.
which he thinks may contain purer form Of So
cety than that which pervades this planet.
On their jealousy and rivalry the play turns
BY way Of engaging sympathies for the
pretty barmad Mr.. Jones makes her announce
easily in the first act that she would readily
marry any man Of wealth who could give her
position. Sir Brice tries seduction and fails
getting warning from the astronomer that he
will kill him II he succeeds. A County Hunt
Ball is proceeding; the barroom OF this highly
glorifed inn serving also Assembly Rooms
Some twenty named characters and many UNI
named parading about the action and the
identity OF the characters difficult to disentang1e
in the confusion. Young gentlemen In scarlet
coats pursue the barmaid: who makes more or
less effort TO evade pursuit. Sir Brice follows
her into the barr out of sight. She reappears
with a subscripton-st for a charity. Some
genteman-Mr. Jones means him to be gentle
man-suggests that funds shall be raised by put
ting up to auction kiss from the barmaid She
protests. not very vigorously. An auctioneer
also a gentleman, volunteers. and starts the
bidding. Other young persons in scarlet coats.
also gentlemen, or Jones' gentlemen take part
in this performance and bid small sums Tor the
kiss. Sir Brice and Remon take part both
gentlemen Crowds Of gentlemen and ladies'
Jones-ladies-look OH. The barrbom Is filed with
the best people Of the county. Sir Brice and
Remon bid in tens. then in hundreds: Remon
finally bids all he had O0O which his rival can,
with another $1,000 and the contest is over The
victor sits down and writes check for the
amount. Sir Brice, two parts drunk asks her to
acsept the check. and also his hand to which
Dulcie responds in the manner OF the best go
clety: Il shall be very proud" To this height
OF refinement has Mr.. Henry Arthur Jones risen
Let me do audience and critics the justice TO
say that they did resent the vugarity of this
sccn". l heard one comment which did full
Justice TO 1t: The police ought to have been
called In 10 clear the stage"
Between this first act and the second four years
elapse. Sir Bricc and Ducie are married. and
there Is a child. Lady Skene is giving a party
Here Mr.. Oscar Wilde has something to be re-
sponsible for Mr. Wilde has satlrizei society