The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-05-19
ADJUSTMENTS.

The plot of a melodrama with the
dialogue of a comedy drama about
describes 1.-THE Moth and the Flame y
The polite speech and repartee of society
| is hung upon d framework of yellow
sensationalism. Clyde Fitch chose a
strong motive for this play of hist &C.
ours 10 one that he had a serious purpose
in the writing of ii. The plot shows
enthusiasm rather than taste, and is
only justified by the earnestness of the
witty dialogue is quite up-to-date, and
distinctly ''drawing-room' in style, so
on the whole THE Moth and the Flame
might be said to be in a class of its own
"a society melodrama."
The construction of the play is entirely
unique and therefore interesting. The
first act shows society dressed up like
children, at a party, during which the
characters are made known, and their
positions in the drama defined. The sec
ond act shows the church scene. in which
some delightfully."- brilliant gossip is in
troduced. In this act occurs the great
climax, which has rather been spoiled by
too much advertising. The audience
knew precisely what was coming-there-
fore much of the thrilling effect was
lost The third act shows the friend of
the bride sending the presents back, as
result of the interrupted ceremony. The
very idea of wedding ceremony inter-
rupted at the altar, promises plenty of
sensation, but no one was wholly unpre-
pared for it, owing TO the posters.
Mr.. Kelley, in the role of the villain who
attempts to marry the innocent girl, in
the face of his past infamy, shows him
self to be worth much more as an actor
than he was in his matinee days. The
years seem to have altered Mr.. Kelley 5
personal appearance very little; he Is the
same in build, very much the same in
stiffness, and a little more so in finish.
The role he plays in this piece Is a dis
agreeable one, and all the more honor is
therefore due him for his strong, con-
Vlncing portrayal.
Miss Shannon seemed at home in a
teary part, and it quite took one back
to the days of the old Lyceum stock to
hear her sob through her Misunderstanding
scenes. Her part last night was COM
plete in its gloom, and Miss. Shannon
managed TO extract all the misery there
was in it. too. Her indistinct enuncia-
ton is her chief fault.
The star part OF the piece is undoubted-
ly that of Mrs; Lorrimer, so admirably
portrayed by Marion Abbott. Her per-
Torrance alone is worth the price of ad-
mission, and her part holds together the
interest of the evening alone and un-
aided. 1t was a thoroughly delightful
portrayal and in addition to her talents
as an actress. Miss Abbott is handsome
and well dressed woman. The other
characters in the cast were well handled
by William Boag, Charles Stedman, who
contributed an excellent bit in the first
act, Bruce MacRae, Winona Shannon,
etc, and the support throughout was
good Another good character sketch
was contributed by Leila Ellis.
The Moth and the Flame will be re-
peated tonight and tomorrow night. with
a matinee Saturday.
g % o
1t is very satisfactory to the musical
community in Salt Lake that Rosenthal
has selected his finest programme for
presentation at his recital here. one OF
the numbers is Schuman's Carnival,
which is rarely performed on account of
its unusual technical difficulties, but the
London papers have said of Rosenthal
that he played il as ii was never heard
before. The programme will consist of
about eleven numbers. all of which are
the best of his repertoire. Every student
and lover of music should realize that
the visit of Rosenthal is a rare oppor-
tunity and one which comes to us in
Salt Lake but seldom.
g g @
Tonight the Grand opens its doors once
more to the public with John Griffiths,
well known as Mephisto in Faust in
romantic drama entitled THE
Avenger.'
Is % Is
The much anticipated Orpheus club
concert presenting the Kneisel quartette.
win occur at the Congregational church
this evening.