The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-11-16
NEW PLAY Is FLAT.
Richard Mansfield Finds No Success
in ~Castle Som bras

Chicago Nov 16.@"Castle Sombras''
is not likely to take a permanent place
in Mr.. Mansfield's repertory.- 1t was
obviously written in the first place to
afford the actor an opportunity for
fine psychological study and second to
meet the present demand for romantic
drama. Certainly as far as the story
goes no novel of Stanley Weyman's or
Conan Doyle's contains more thrilling
episodes or more striking situations
than this story of black Sir John Som
bras, but whether the fault lay with
the playwright or with the opponents
of the drama, the result was not sue
cessful. On paper the incidents seem
plausible enough. Captain Hilary,
captain in the kings forces, is detached
on his march north to seize the castle
of the outlaw, Sir John Sombras. In
the first scene we find him and his men
on the point of departure with their
task unfulhlled. Castle Som bras looms
in the distance as impregnable as
ever
Suddenly Sir John himself comes
upon the scene in the guise of q min
strel, and is finally arrested and con-
demned to death on the ground that
he is a spy in the royal camp. The
muskets of the soldiers are leveled at
his breast when the captain stops the
execution He has found a photograph
in the papers of the spy of his fancee,
who turns out to be none other than
the Lady Thyrza. the ward of the out
lawed knight. Little guessing the true
character of his prisoner. Hilary Of
fers him release on condition that he
himself may gain by the minstrel's
services one hours audience with his
lady within the walls of the castle.
The bargain is struck and the soldier
walks boldly into the lions lair, where
his adventures form the basis of the
rest of the play.
The second act brings Hilary face to
face with Sir John. who is no longer in
disguise They are rivals for the hand
of nd q
mary clustering on the soldiers part
and a little biting sarcasm on the part
of Sir John the decision is left to the
hazard of the dice. If Hilary wins he
If he loses he surrenders his life. After
a moment of intense excitement the
throw goes against him. Still Sir
John is not satisfied to take his life
He next proposes therefore another and
better way They are both armed with
daggers, but Sir John is a. past master
of the weapon. Why not fight blind
folded then. and make the contest
even? Hilary agrees and Sir John
shows a slight exhilaration such as Sir
Nigel in Conan Doyle's white Com
pany'' might have exhibited on the
eve of a pleasing passage at arms
This is better than a wolf hunt,
he excIaims. as they bandage their
ewes So the fight begins. but is to-
tally spoiled just as the audience is
getting interested by the entrance of
Thyrza. who lures her lover out of the
chamber by attracting his attention to
her movements instead of Sir Johns.
The latter finds himself alone very
soon and imagines that Hilary has
PLAYED the coward. That settles the
matter: he has had his chance and lost
it, so now he must die.
Still this brings the knight no nearer
to his wards affections. He presses
his suit IN vain. and therefore decides
to put the lovers to a final test. She
viii not purchase her lovers life at
the expense of her own freedom be
cause she thinks he would rather die