New-York tribune., 1895-09-25
THE DRAMA.
"A SOCIAL HIGHWAYMAN."

M Holland and Joseph Holland and members
~ Garr,ck Theatre Stock Company called ou,
~ enthusiasm from the audience In the Gar
-, Theatre last evening. The play which was
- for the frs; time. named "A Social High
.yn,an" and II was arranged by Miss NJ A
s.o,e from the story written by Miss Elizabeth
n,,,ns Train. This piece has plenty CT faults and
Ids shortening sorely Excison should be prac-
,ised with freedom. But the plot has considerable
ovety originality and power. and 1t gives oppor-
,,,ities 10 those sound and sterling actors the
,oland brothers. 10 interest and impress the pub
~ I. is unconventional bold and audacious but
n makes some strong appeals to popular tastes and
,vmpathies. Its literary form is rough and crude
and It's dialogue could be improved extensively by
sny writer possessing sense OF style. Notwith-
.andlng these blemishes Il has the surprising
merit Of sustaining the interest which is started
sry in the first act. to the fall OF the las; curtain
Joseph Holland has the part OF fascinating and
much admired ornament OF fashionable society
rho il also conspicuous and influential member
n important clubs. But this polished and attrac-
i've man OF the world is in fact thief who steals
,svels from his friends. Nevertheless this rascal
i represented endowed with certain noble quail
ties and in the last act he proves himself CAPABLE
81 heroic sacrifice. lie loses his life by an acct
Ssni al the close OF the play
In the service OF this leader of cotlllons and hon
ored guest in the mansions of upper Fifth-ave is
an amazing valet, who is a thief we'll his en-
ployer. but VINO rs willing to lay down his life for
his master because he has been treated with un-
bounded kindness, indulgence and sympathy by this
master. This wonderful valet is penetrating far
seeing and abounding in resources. BY his adroit-
ness and subtety he succeeds for a considerable
time IN saving his benefactor from exposure and
,uin
This brief hint the chief features OF this piece
will make II clear TO every reader that il is a piece
altogether out of the common run. so much so that
,.feffo IN he
gard it as strange. odd and well-nigh grotesaue
But the Holland brothers acted last night with so
much sincerity. earnestness and force. with so
genuine ability. care. thoroughness and skill that
the effect produced was notable They act so well
hat the play ought 10 be successful. and II prob
ably will be. although members OF the sup
porting company iamentably out OF place. and
were uncouth and clumsy and awkward last even
ing The Holland brothers deserve well of New
Workers and of playgoers generally. and their act
ing IN this piece has much In which is worthy
OF cordial observation and study. that the Garrick
Theatre ought to be crowded until the end of their
engagement. Whatever may be said in dispraisc
Of "A Social Highwayman," II cannot truly be char
acterzed dull or tedious. and IL is small thing
IN these days for play not TO be dull. Moreover.
the acting OF E NJ. Holland and Joseph Holland
ought 10 save much worse play than this. The
waits between the acts last evening, however, were
excessively and inexcusably long Here Is the cast
torrtce Joseph f1oldnd