The times., 1899-09-10

A1oouOh SudlIDtIS UuPTluR at the EINplI0
within few nights. Charles Frohman has
purchased Wheels Within Wheels and
intends to give his compatriots an oppor-
tunlty OF seeing John Hare and the original
company in Lord Quex'- very sensible
proceeding, inasmuch as an organization
equally qualified could not be found with
out exceeding difficulty. MIR. Hare will con-
tinue at the Globe a full year before try
ing his fortunes on this side of ''the pond.
X Z. Cartons humorstique is not to be
so long delayed and will likely be present.
ed here during the autumn
One of the first merits of THE Tyranny
of Tears that might be supposed to ap
peal to managers is in the fact that but
six persons are required for the rendering
of the play. Mr.. Wyndnam made use OF
this circumstance to increase the efficiency
OF his combination even as he decreased
the number of its members. The star him
self did Enthusiastically quaint bit Of
work in the role of good -natured fellow
whose fear of his wife's lachrymose weak
ness makes him her willing slave until
his revolt seems so impudent that it nearly
brings about separation. Pretty Mary
moore made her appearance as the wife and
contributed greatly to the smoothness of
the ensemble, but, next to Mr.. Wyndham
the real genius of the troupe turned out to
be certain Maude Millett, a comparative
HOhShils uAIII iHt production Oh Inc 1y-
ranny of Tears. Miss Millett's imperson-
alton of the secretary who is caught in the
act OF kissing the husbands picture and
the demand for whose dismissal causes re-
bellion was one of the most natural of
portraitures and is quite worthy of long
remembrance.
Both of the remaining comedies in the
Tiumvirate mentioned have been harshly
criticised for their alleged obscenity though
Wheels Within Wheels is really the one
which often approaches vulgarity. It's
theme is more barely handled and less deli
cately than is that of Lord Quex," but the
dialogue is notably witty the situations
decidedly mirth- provoking and the story
quite fertile. The piece is founded on the
intrigue of foolish young wife with a
rather unscrupulous clubman. An elop-
ment is the culmination of the affair and
matters look serious when the husbands
sister, clever woman-of- the world, takes
hand in the proceedings and, by shifting
the blame to her own shoulders, rectifes
the climax and purifes. the atmosphere.
There were dozen thoroughly able play
ers in the presenting company, chief among
them Dion Boucicault, Lena Ashwell, and
Arthur Bourchier, who once starred in
America with Irene Vanbrugh, The auditor
must have felt gratful TO Mr. Bourchier for
his creation of a lahghably loud voiced
iuiol anu " 0dTlOIhIUIui0b fIldhiEB tHdJ.
idiot citizen or theseT United States
which English playwrisbts usually do with
their objectionably noisy personages.
Lord dauex',Descrfbed.
Irene yanbrugh, who has just been
mentioned. contributes1 to John Hare's
presentment of "The Gay Lord Quex'' what
is unquestionably the finest character
sketch brought to light during the London
season. The role assumed is that of sophy
Fullgarney, Cockney girl, the proprie-
tress of manicure parlor in New Bond
Street. This young woman, has for foster
sister Muriel Eden, who is about to be
to the Marquis of Quex, "a nobIeman whose
Titan tinted past has not prevented his
failing heart over head in love with her.
The better to satisfy Miss Eden and her
relatives with his fitness of mind for the
matrimonial halter, Lord Quex has under
taken a period of probation, through which
he is passing without difficulty when he
meets the Duchess Of Strood, former "af-
fair" The Duchess sentimentally insists
upon last evening together and his
lordship finally consents, not before he has
been seen and heard by. the devoted and
suspicious Sophy Fullgarney, whose own
engagement to a blatant pa1mist has not
prevented her attempting to beguile Miss
Eden's suitor into such labial indiscretion
as would convince her of his continued
sinfulness of soul. Having hit upon a clew
at last, Miss Fullgarney proceeds to in
gratiate herself into the favor of Her
Grace and to be accepted as maid during !
the absence of the Duchess regular wom-
an. All of which leads up brightly and |
to what is probably the wit |
test scene ever devised by A. W. Pinero.
Lord Quex has come TO the room OF the |
Duchess at midnight and has enjoyed some |
few moments conversation with her when |
he is informed of the change in servants |
and, distrusting the pryng foster sister, !
makes SO sudden lunge at the doorknob |
that, upon that handle being drawn to |
him, Miss Fullgarney is dragged into plain |
view, where she stands an instant, clothed |
in quaint Japanese robe, a simpering, |
giggling, but unabashed culprit Her |
Grace is, of course, nightly fearful for her /
and the Marquis finally hits |
upon a method of saving her. even though |
it offers little help for him. He sends the |
duchess away to sleep with certain Mrs
Jack Eden, guest across the hall, locks |
the doors leading out, and rings for the |
maid. Miss Fullgarney is caught in the |
trap. Lord Quex informs her that she |
must either promise not to repeat what |
she has seen or expect to be kept until !
morning when the hostess will find her |
IN his company. Miss Fullgarney threat |
ems, begs, grows angry, and then fright
sned; whimpers and fails to impress; be-
links herself of various plans, all of which |
'all through when put into execution;
finally signs a document which gives Lord |
Duck her character as trust for her word,
and then, reminded that by this she is real
" selling Miss Eden, sacrifices herself and
rings for aid. Whereupon, astonshed and |
admiring, the nobleman Surrenders the
document mentioned and hides himself |
until some trumped-up order has been
given to those who answer the bell. An
other act in the comedy tells how Miss .
in gratitude, says nothing of
ler discovery; winds up trifiing intrigue
between Miss Eden and La knavish army
officer, and leads an audience to infer that
every individual in the piece is bound for
he most roseate of futures.
The scene just detailed though not the
only clever one Mr.. Pineroshas invented, is
the cleverest in the play, and it is fully re-
allied by its interpreters. AS has been hint
ed Miss Vanbrugh's portrayal is simply
perfection. John Hare's blase men-of- the
world are his best cfea tions, odd as this
may seem to those Hho know him only
through the medium of "a Pair of Spec
tacles" and few Thespians could coat the
role of Lord Quex with slgar as he does
Gilbert Hare also improves on the little
promise he gave while In America and the
rest of cast composed mainly of women
is quite adequate. &EEs
Henry Arthur sJones' Latest.
One of the first of the Imported vehicles
to be seen in this country is The Ma
leuvres of Jane" which Mr.. Frohman has
brought from the Hayrnarket for the use