The times., 1899-12-17
THE PASSING SHOW.

There IS a certain old story that comes
to mind forcibly when one begins consid-
eriEg His Fathers Boy" the Roland Reed
farce which was presented last week at the
Columbia Theatre The anecdote. which
may be repeated in this connection, relates
TO an elderly gentleman who complained to
neighbor that the neighbor's sons were
wont to battle uEclothed in a river so near
that his daughters frequently were shocked
at the scene revealed to them. The guar
dian of the young men protested. Said he,
My dear fellow it is difficult for me to
understand the Justification Of your pro-
Jsst. That stream is fully a mile from
your house Il know" replied the other,
insistently but my girls have an excellent
pair Of spy glasses"
After the long succession of insinuating
impOTJations with which Washington has
been being edified, the critic who found
fault with the proprieties of Mr. Reeds
vehicle might be supposed to have used bi-
noculars in his quest Nevertheless. it is
rrue that, as is the case with most of the
creations which supply the humor OF the
contemporary stage, the character Of Will
liam Pennie was not of grade to bear
close inspection Frequently, indeed, the
traits of that imaginary individual became
really unpleasant; doubly so because the
folk with whom this comedian has ac-
quainted one invariably have been sympa-
thctic and agreeable. Writers Of light
and frivolous pieces explain that. in their
minds the mission of the theatre is merely
10 amuSe And yet he were Coudoning
fellow who upon reflection, could take very
much interest in the reprehensble person
ages introduced by these same dramatists.
William Pennie summed up, was a gray
headed hpOpllrs while living hgnDflV
with his wife and showing the greatest
fondness for a grown daughter, for eight
cen years had systematically and deliber-
q ely robbed that spouse by means Of a
Fretence that, applied to any other relative
or friend, would have rendered him liable
TO trial and imprisonment. OF course, the
average auditor at a farce does not care TO
90 into these matters deeply, but still the
pecadillOs of this William Pennie were OBJ
trusive enough to bother. Even the late
lamented Samuel 7. Jack, who never was
noted for his delicacy or fine feeling, so
twisted the theme that the victim OF con-
stant demands for monetary gifts to the
bogus child was removed from the demand
eT 10 the safe distance of an uncleship.
Really, there seems no particular reason
why the playgoer should not be asked
occasionally to laugh at the
troubles or embroilments of a respectable
and kindred character. Such creations as
the aforesaid William Pennie, while Ger
tainly without Injurious or other effect,
serve no purpose and lose value as they
gain faults
For the rest. His Fathers Boy" proved
none too expansive vehicle for the sew
eral talents Of its eXploiters. Since George
BroadhuTsts The Wrong Mr. Wright.
the star of last week has been wholly un-
able to procure a suitable comedy, and
Sydney Rosenfelds adaptation from the
German is not likely to fill the want. Mild
ly entertaining it was, but it lacked
wholly in the essentials Of a work
Of its sort. a conventional tale slowly and
tediOusly developed it appeared TO be
without that most necessary of comic
qualities-surprise. There is some posi-
bility that rewriting might benefit the
piece, but even this is doubtful. The orig
inal was stupid enough. In his particular
line the American stage has no actor who
can claim to be the superior of Roland
Reed, and the newspaper reviewer, who
realizes this, may be pardoned for trusting
that next season the player will be able
to produce something entirely worthy of
his ability.