New-York tribune., 1894-01-03
THE .DRAM1.
" SOWING TIE WIND AT THE EMPIRE

The verdict Of the house on Sydney Grundys
new play Sowing the Wind. al the Ehp"c
Theatre last evening one OF unmistaKapie ap-
proval During the first act the auditors were "o'
deeply moved but they were plainly interes'eu'
The close OF the second brought much applause
which had the ring, while the end OF 'he
third act left no doubt that the play had won the
cordial favor Of all who heard H. us hciuehts
are supposed occur in England early IN th's
century. Its story IS not complex or proiouh" anu
it's characters are not Of the massive sor'' pul
Mr. Crnndy has used his materials defty ana
aptlv His chief part is that Of a successful Lon
don singer a young woman Of exceptional fascina-
tions ana graces. bat pure ana aress III chaiaC'e'
She has won reputation and popularity Dy genuine
rner I and by hard work. Her origin Is obscure. put
in the course of the play 1t is revealed that she
Is the natural child of an English gentleman OF
fortune who had been misled into supposing tnat
Helen Gray. the singers mother was unfaithfni 10
him, and had therefore deserted the mother Defore
he knew that a child was 10 be born. The singer
Rosamond, is betrothed TO the adopted son OF Mr.
BrabaZon. her unknown father. On account OF th-
dubious birth OF Rosamond. the friends OF Ned
Annesley, the adopted son, and Mr.. Braoazon him-
self bitterly oppose the union of the two iona
hearts but all is made right In the last act.
Miss Viola Allen more eagerly and earnestly
acclaimed BY the audience for her playing of Rosa
nond than for anything which she had done before
In this city This piece in fact. afforded her a
distinct and conspicuous personal triumph, which
was not approached by any 9th person in the cast
Her touch true and fine in all the important
passages and she brought tears 10 many eyes by
her unaffected pathos in two of the strolg scenes.
Her acting las, evening marks notable advance
for her IN her profession and between the acts and
after The MAY the theatre and the lobbes rang
with her praises She gratifed both eye and ear.
Her gowns were chosen with admirable taste and
were singularly becoming.
Miss May Robson was de.iciously acid AMI astrn-
I-rct tt.1l
suitable TO her With her skill in makeup and
rairnent she htted the characte~ excelently. and
she carried on the Illusion with marked success
Miss Agnes Miller as pert, fr9Uard young Eng
iish miss was amusing. Cyril Scott made Sir
fool than the author probably intended. but as the
English peerage contains costermonger ears ana
marquses who drink themselves drunk az the ex-
pense of barmaids and music hall contratos. pos
sibiy Mr.. Scotts coors Were no; laid on Win toe toe
Petworth as a Shiny scoundre OF unspeakable de-
rrayity This appeared to be IN ACCORD WIN n, Mr. Mr.
English nobility is not fattering All the good people
in his play are without titles whe all he oam pe9Pe
Arnesey. the devoted and ardent lover OF Rosamond
faithful 70 their sweethearts but who involve them
selves in debt with reckless rapidlty: VINO pay
will-dcned expectation OF paying their losses. and
whose chief object in life appears to be TO retam lam
come their relief in times of pecuniary embar.
EASEMENT. Such were too many OF the hne young
W IL crompton Acquired M ted himself accegtably as
.he blundering blockhead Watkin. who thinks ne ne
IS saying his best friend BrabazOn. while III reailty
ae is doirg him the grievocs injury. Henry
Miller took the part Of Brabazon, but was neither
pathetic nor impressive in it, Indeed, he came
nearer 'ioddering than dignity In certain impor-
ta1t parts OF the play. 80
Sowing The Wind Is set in a way 10 gratiIy
the jud,cous eye and The scenery is all that
Il should be In the first act especially IT Is o,
rare ana felcitous beauty The costumes are well
chosen and please the observer. Some parts OF the
dialogue Of the play would be improved by com
preston. The explanations in the last act are some
what too prolx and. a certain extent are super,
duous. The talk about against sex In the third
act is neither profound philosophy nor good sense.
but ina, the play has many elements or popularity
and Is likely 10 draw large houses for long time.
was Indicated by the extremely enthusiastic vel
which IL received last night.