New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-27
THE DRAMA-MUSIC
John DREW AT THE EMPIRE.
1.-THE, LIARS"

The return of Mr. John Drew, which was heartily
uelcomed last night al the Empire Theatre places
,,,,hin the public reach source of refined and
,ealthful pleasure. ard therefore II is theatrical
Incident TO be recorded with much satisfaction Mr.
new appeared in the new English comedy by Mr.
1,snrv Arthur Jones called The Liars" and he
mas greeted with charming goodwill by a numer-
ms and friendly audience. The comedy aside from
q few needlessly harsh touches,-put in. apparently
IN order 10 show that the author is all sweet
ness and light" but can be severe If he likes-is
beauty alike in spirit. design. construction. and
s,ve and 1t seems 10 indicate that Mr. Jones has
reverted 10 his earlier and better mood and at least
Cor the present has discarded the analysis OF social
nroblems His comedy is.-as comedy ought to be.
"a symmetrical and significant picture of manners:
no, Photographic but lighted and colored with deli
cate exaggeratoH. The disciples OF Ananias whom
IN this instance he has portrayed denizens Of
the CAV world. who. half designedly and half aim
lesslv combine 10 SHIELD an imprudent young wife
from the possibly painful consequences of ndiscree
conduct. The wife and her husband exceptional.
for married pairs. in general. do not live In the
state Of Maynard propensity and feverish jealousy
so often indicated in plays: human life would he in
tolerabe If such conditions commonly existed: but
exceptional expedents are useful for the creation
Of theatrical effect and they must not be too curl
ousy considered The wife is portrayed exigent.
and as somewhat disposed 20 worry an indifferent.
or al least inattentive husband by encouraging the
u
caused by her foolishness and from that she is
cued by comical concurrence Of white lies and by
The protective wise, gentle and adrot influence Of
q good friend The play contains effective situa-
tions: is for the most part brightly wrtten-with-
out much OF the didactic vein which its author Is
prone; and II moves nimbly and gayly. through tell
ing Incidents 10 happy close
The wise and gentle friend. Colonel Sir Christie
pher Deering. by name.-brliantly acted in London
by Mr. Charles Wyndham.-is assumed in vein Of
alternate placidity satricai banter. nonchalance,
kindly cynicism and sweet gravity. by Mr. John
Drew The style OF this comedian has room TO
grow. in depth of earnest feeling and in fexibility.
but II is a good style.-because 1t IL animated by
thoughtful purpose and characterized by piquancy
and grace: and in this presentment 1t shows the
value Of authentic tradition and intelligent training
as we'll as the force OF native talent. To say that
The light comedians Of the present day are inferior
those Of the last generation is 10 incur the re-
preach OF fossilism but II Is nevertheless true that
the male performers Of the present period do not In
any instance create effects Of such brancy as
were seen In the days Of Waack Wheatley. Jor-
dan Fredericks Murdoch Adams Mortimer. and
others OF that line. The reason of this fact is a
mystery-but the fact remains. Possibly the social
custom Of pretending TO have feelings has con-
tributed to bring about this result Mr.. Drew's act
ing. meanwhile. is typical of the best school that
remains and for this the public may we'll he
pleased. His representations do not deeply move
and they DO not dazzle. but they crafty the sense
Of FORM and they please by their sweet composure,
their limitations of manly character and ripe ex-
perence. their suggestiveness OF incipent droil
humor. and their huency OF expression. Mr.. Drew's
present impersonation Is kindred with its more i'm
mediate predecessors. His theatrical company.
which includes Miss Isabel Irving Miss Annie irish.
Mr. D. H Harkins. and other performers OF marked
talent is able. symmetrical. and efficient. and the
production OF The Liars" may rightly be recorded
as a positive success W ".