The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-26

succeed 80 well as the authors Of "Our Gentlemen
Sons" the play new here last week. They neg.
iected In the new piece the pathos Of their char
ac.ers in favor Of the humor they can DO made
10 produce. That their leading figure is a butcher
shows how far their purpose lies from the aver
age American dramatisi's. Outside 81 farce
that occupation could he used only as an excuse
for active villainy. This mans father was
butcher before him, and he intends that his son
shalt extend and magnify the business making
his name foremost among all the butchers Of
Germany. even ot,hc whole world Every mod
crn scientific appliance shall be uscd TO mako
the number Of sheep and that he Kills larger
than any other establishment can Toast This
son has just scrved his year in the army and on
the day Of his return the apron and tho knifo
with which he Is 20 assume his new work are
brought by his father from the place in which
they have rested until the time should como for
them 10 lc transferred to the young man who
was TO bring new glory as butcher 10 the family
name. lie receives them from his fathers hands
without enthusiasm and puts them away from
him kindly but with Hrmncss He has already
entered the university TO begin his studies there
on tho day his father expected him TO devote to
learning the first things toward bringing new
honors to the family. There is dignity in the
old mans anger when he turns this unworthy
descendant out OF the house. and he seems a
wronged parent His son abors in poverty.
helped by the father. who refuses TO receive the
10y even when he comes OH his mothers birth.
dsy Proud of tho business which his son re-
fuss 20 follow. and ruling his family as It's nb-
solutc head. in the fashion of German households,
he holds out against forgiveness until his 10y
is wounded in n student duel fought In defence
Of his fathers conduct toward him. Then he
succumts His patcrnai feelings cover a
range that would test any actors powers vii.
liam II. Crane. who has transferred many Ger
man types to the American stage and brought
along with them all that comes to US Of German
folk pieces, would find in the part opportunities
TO display all the qualities in which his admirers
take most pleasure. Hut the insistcnt national
character OF these plays never SEEMED 10 conhnc
them more strictly to the stage Of their own coun-
try. Could an American actor make any bu,
ridiculous figure out Of butcher SO proud Of his
calling that he bestowed q knife and apron on his
son az II they were q crown and sccptrc. and then
cas-, him oil for refusing to accept them and their
Obligations The old man might 10 in some
other calling. But then he would ioso half the
qualities that made him characteristic in the
German original "our Gentlemen Sons"is
such good example its kind tho, this very merit
will probably confnc IL to the German stage.
The. staircase has assumed sudden impo Itance
in the drama Pnywrghts have neglected II
of late but have returned 10 II this year in way
that must surprise some Of those who settled on
this architectural incident for the irst time. The
most dramatic moment in Il hildren 81 the Ghetto
comes when tho heroine, learning that marriage
with her lOy.1 Is impossible. slowly ascends the
steps along the side Il her fathers living room.
and in the half darkness Is heard To fall To the
floor after she has gone half the way. In bar.
hara Frictchc' the red Carpetod steps serve as
the place II an episode more strenuously dramatic.
The Southern girls lover fatally wounded, has
been Brought ~ her house. lie is nearly helpless.
and only she and her maid nr- there 10 help him
70 the upper room in which h IL TO he concealed.
Once their struggle seems vain. and the progress
Of the three IL engrnssinc in its suspense. In
the second act Of Becky Sharp staircase ut
the rear Of the st'ge serves ~ an entrance
for most OF the guests at hal, ii.
though tho action there rrioI 20 the bat
tie 81 Waterloo is PLACED IN IN. lower level
In "Aior' than Qu.en' JUL, \uhur climbed n
few ST ~ 10 ths balcony outside the door 81 Ma.
ppicor'S MON 10 cniole him into n god humor
nt"r he had returned from Egypt and found
her dressed for n masked ball This stairway
is not important here to the dramatic effect The
s,crlI At Of Pa as Wife" also InssesV,s this
feature oi tn. seasons Successes The abode 81
the pritnn donna ~ above the level Of the In
which the jewellers sit and is reached bv wind.
inS flight IN AM down which a comedian passes
In tho excitement the sccond acts revelry. Never
before were stairways common TO 80 many success