The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1894-01-26
THE JEALOUS WIFE,"

II Mrs. John Drew played in French so
that only a very small percentage OF her
audience could understand her, and II
she had come to us with plenty of hur-
rah and half dozen press agents
ready TO tell what she eats for break
fast and drinks for dlnner-then, l say.
she would be doing a packed business at
81 seat, with spectators and all the
other modern conveniences. Sweet little
maldens and fat mammas would buy
ibrettos and sit through the performances
and exclaim wher they understand an &C.
casional "Bien. or "C'est vrai!" that
It was quite too delightful" Such per-
feet French" and so on.
Mrs Drew comes to us with the most
exquisite refinement OF art, the Oldest
wearer OF theatrical name honored
throughout this country, and she gives
us series OF old comedies, splendidly
cast and perfectly presented. The re-
suit is-a disgraceful apathy. New York
writes itself down an ass often enough,
but never so picturesquely AS when 1t let's
this admirable actress play to small
houses, and crowds in to see "A Country
Sport" or "li9o" It's sckenlng. 1t really
s When Mrs. Drew dies what hypo-
critical burst OF FEELING there will be!
"Ah- the sycophants will cry. what a
delightful actress! I used to see her
whenever l could. There Will never De
another Mrs Drew"
Mrs. Drew Is at the Star Theatre now,
and she closes her engagement to-mor-
row night. Go and see her, fools. while
you can. You have three more chances,
and II you were wise you would make
use of all three. In THE Jealous Wife,
Coleman's old comedy, Mrs. Drew Is
simply admirable. AS Mrs. Oakly, the
suspicious old lady. who is always ques-
toning the integrity of her husband,
and imagining amorous adventures, OF
which the poor old fellow is clearly In
nocent, Mrs. Drew's work Is worth study
ing. There Is no eXaggeration, and
scarcely loud tone. She secures her
effects by the most legitimate means.
Her facial expression "a wonderful; the
grace of her demearOr, which Is that OF
the old fashioned i;entlewoman. is rest
ful to the faded theatre goer. Mrs. Drew
knows how to portray the fine old gentle
woman who existed before the world was
overrun with wha, we now call ladies. u
her WORK IL tnp htyHote " Liz pei ioi IA
ance. 1t is astonishing what a good in.
| depreciation each member of the cast
of 1.-The Jealous Wife" gives, emulatine
he example, no doubt, of Mrs. Drew her
self Mrs. Oakly is quite as clever 6
piece of acting as the Widow Warner
in 1.-The Road to Ruin" and Mrs. Nal
aprop in THE Rivals" Why we are ex
pected to go into ecstasies over the pan
tomimic beauties of Coquelin and his as
sociates when we have Mrs. Drew a
our beck and call is a mystery. Well
perhaps, 1t is not a mystery. The solution
lies In the fact that we are all humbugs
and love being humbugged, and pay ou
managers to humbug us.
Sidney Drew, as Mr.. Oakly, has neve
done better. lie plays the part OF TIT
henpecked husband exceedingly well, ant
Mrs Sidney Drew, who has improved
marvellously-and what a priceless ad
vantage she has in this association witt
her mother ln-law!-is very effective a
Harriet Russet. The company Is mos
| creditable one. ALAN DALE.