The morning times., 1896-05-26
IN "HER BROTHER BOB"
Miss Saunders and Her New Play IA
Decided Success


Mary Saunders last night at the New Ma
uonal Theater presented for the firsr J.me
on any stage Her Brother Bob Il COMEDY
III three acts by Charles Bradley. large
audience was present and gave frequent
testimony OF sincere approval. 1t is rather
a coincidence that the last Monday night
of the season should he Il first night but
the novelty of new play and new star
came as ii refreshing stimuiant TO a sea
sou that was walking to an early grave
with an unsteady step.
The plot Of Her Brother Bob" has been
given before: Briefly, 1t is a story Of u
Wellesley girl, who, believing herself
separated by death from the only man she
loves, with retaliauve precipitation or
gauiZes an antimarrage society with big
penalty The girls ana an advanced female
professor join the compact, reckoning with
out their hosts, who Stra shtWay turn up
iPthe persons OF several men with irreslst-
able fascinations FOR the women, among
them the lost lover. The organizer OF the
compact, Dolly Dcldcrneld, conspres To
unbuild her own doings. The comedy ex-
ploits her Vaccinations 10 marry Off the
others aud thus free herself.
The Idea Is III Itself clever but Mr..
bradley has shown superior skin IN
celebrating. The play Is comedy cf
many consistently amusing incidents and
has the further merit OF presenting 'gIlar-
acter studies instead OF mere people. Thls
individuality or each person TO .he silly
is the chief charm of tue piece, every one
has well defined personality, which I'M
presses and Interests.
Whether or not the role OF Dolly was
written for Miss Saunders there is re.
clproCdl obiigati on between star and
dranat,St for SO CoDgenial Il fit. She
made an emphatic hit with the audience.
Her WinsoIae grace as a little dame III
pettlcoats Is no secret to her many adj
Lnirers, but when she appeared BrolEer
Bob i'll a youths goiting suit, trousers,
legglns, boots, cap and all, there was
new and more pronounced conquest
Hil0Ht
intelligent sincerity and nice sense OF
comedy making. II is not easy 10 single
scenes OF particular excellence IN a per
fornance OF sc nearly even and So pro
nounced excellence, from curtain to cur
tain, Dolly and Bob were as fascina ting as
could be wished.
familiar CountenanCeS of a whole cast
of fayorItes. Giving place to the ladies
there was Agnes Findley as Dr.. Mary
PaYeybro"k, cynnlcai spinster CT the
old, very old, school; Genevleve Rednian as
a Wellesley College girl, and Maud Mon
roe as veritabie dea ex machina, who
proved q valiant lieutenant To ber brother
Bob. Miss Monroe will probably be less
restless after performance or two. The
supporting ladies were a strong trio.
Joseph WheeIock, ir., led the male ror-
tion of The cast as young Englshman VITO
displayed ready incliuation to fail in
love with pretty face. His make-up
suggested John Drew. but his perform
He did not handle his voice as well us he
can: almost continually be read ia an ab-
Sent-ninded manner, doubtless induced by
the burden OF remembering a trencD
dousiy long part.
Percy Brooke made Il success of his
clerical character and John Findley was
capital in the few minutes lie was on as
l5ibuiOus detective. Charles M1ckay played
q young Boston barrister and Edward A.
Paultou was a maria geable old gentleman.
The hit OF the male contingent was
actually made by boy and q stranger
hihEpu a
for his parents, Harry Pitt and Fanny
Addison Pitt, are wcllknown to every
theatergOer, but the young man has not
personally heretofore been conspicuously in
evidence. He played a boy of uncertain
teens, forced to love against his inclina-
lions. His characterization was admirably
conceived to the smallest detail His per
formance is worth seeing and his career
is worth watching.