The times., 1898-11-08
AT THE TEEATERs.
sr-sl-.l--. -------tf<1-f-<r
NntionaI-sRecGuye She Loved iii

NntIOnal-sRecauye She Loved Him
Sos.' Ii
The process of dissemination, or what
ever other process 1t IS that may be held
responsible for so offep turning the feet
of ones idols into eiagn must have ad-
vanced to a pretty pitch when the united
names of stanch friehds fike William Gill
lette and Charles Frdhm3n. with those of
]. E. Dodson and Ida conquest serving
as an additional ipdueement cannot at
tract larger audieneef than gathered
last night at the National to witness Be
cause She Loved Him So" To be sure,
Mr.. Gillette himself was not present to
cast the aroma of his personality and his
cigars over the house, but there were
many other players nearly as good, be-
sides comedy that really deserves a
high place in the roster of such. The as
sembly was, however. appreciative to the
last degree and 1t enjoyed everything en-
joyable with social good will worthy OF
commendation.
Despite the fact that all the scenes OF
the farce are laid in England, and that
its author has spelled London triumph
throughout by his constant use of such
words as those contained In the phrases,
"a regular lark" "a jolly little home"
and have go at him, the new produc-
ton is essentially French. Thus, while it
does not suffer in anything except proba-
bility and atmosphere by being taken
across the channel, one cannot help feel
ing that Mr. Gillette might have left the
local where he first saw the piece with
out any prospect of serious damage to
either. The plot, the Incidents and above
all the construction belong so essentially
to Paris and to Bisson that one feels in
noting some of the episodes just men
toned much as though he were Witness
ing a performance of the Carmagnoie in
the streets of sober London. The plays
Ingenuity, diplomacy or suggestion, prece-
dence OF conversation. over action, and
sparkling wit belong quite as much to
France as do the rather illy-grounded
though thoroughly clever situations that
make up its three acts.
1t was Denique who made glass of
water suggest the story of comedy. Sar-
dou who hinged a whole effort on the pos
session of a single document. and the in
definite author of "A Scrap of Paper and
THE Paper Chase" who founded a long
trail of humorous happenings on brief
note, but 1t has remained for Bisson-and
GiIIette-to suspend a plot on two blond
hairs. In the present work Oliver West
has married certain Miss Weathersby. a
girl so charming and incidentally so
wealthy that the pair might be complete
ly happy but for the traditional mouse
or rat" quarrels into which her jealousy
is perpetualiy leading them. These af-
fairs reach climax when maid servant
of the family. who is anxious TO postpone
a social function of her masters that she
may get away to one Of her own. places
some perfume and a couple of hairs on
Il.
BILE, and not only to the suspension of the
function mentioned but 10 threats of d.
vorce, which bring MI and Mrs. West to
the former home OF the latter. Here are
the wife's mother aud father, who have
lived in happiness thirtyt years. but who
are so exercised at theyworrles of their
children that they feign aquarrel on their
own account that the young ones may
learn lesson by the example. So good is
their acting that Mrs. West is lead TO
take action in the matter. with the re-
suit that the pretended row becomes real.
, and only ends with the land all lived hap
| PLY forever after line. The three rather
disconnected sketches are held together
and admirably held together-by the
strands named above. and the fact that a
son of the old couple is anxious to marry
a maid whose father Is so fond of quiet
that the youth takes his prospective rela-
| tive first to his sister and then to his
mother. that he may show how peaceful
| are his connections. but only succeeds In
| bringing the aforesaid parent upon each
of the scenes just as hostilities begin.
| This combination of circumstances
| forms play, the plot of which is rath-
| er thin, and which often lacks incident
SO sorely that the same episode is made
| to do service until one has quite wearied
| OF It. Such fault frequently provokes
slowness of action that is equally disa-
greeable, especially when ii is taken into
| account that the piece is decidedly
'taiky." But none of these errors alter the
| fact that Because She Loved Him So Is
really u delightful entertlinment-fillei
to the brim with ingenious situations.
laughable incidents. pleasing episodes and
dialogue that fairly scintillates with bril-
iiancy. There are touches of pathos. with
out which no Gillette Offering would be
complete, and flashes of wit that always
! mark the work of Bisson. With both of
these, one has really a remarkable pre-
sentation-a thoroughly enjoyable Offering
that is really more comedy than farce.
| The cast is, of course. excellent. one
of j. E. Dodson's old men could be moth
| ing less than marvellous and his latest
| creation, while slightly overdone. can
| hardly be praised too highly for its depth
of art and fidelity to nature. Edwin Ar
den, who has accomplished much heavier
work in his time. is admirable. and Arnold
| Daily does a juvenile role IN a manner
that would shame most Juveniles could
they be expected to have consciences.
| Neither could have been improved upon.
Ida Conquest is as delightfully."- naive and
as naively delightful as ever. so that her
conception and portrayal of the plays
most important role deserves the utmost
\ credit There is only one Ida Conquest
| and she was at her best last night Kate
| Meek makes a more-tnan-commendable
old lady. while Leonora Branam not only
| acts ably, but speaks Spanish perfectly.
English imperfectly. rolls cigarettes well
and does other good things in conformity
with her part. Margaret Fielding presents
| a neat bit of character ~o-:l: our dainty