The times., 1899-12-12
AT THE THEATRES.
CoIumbia-"His Fathers Boy"

COlumbia-'His Fathers Boy"
William PeEnie ...,................. Roland Reed
Edward Burney .................S Sheridan Tupper
JACK H9esle .-..-'---.---...-..,..B Brandon Hurst
Colonel Mackie ......................L. p Hicks
james .-.-....'..-...... Julian teed
AIs. Buhey ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ,Alcthes Luce
MIS-. Mackie OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, Mary Myers
Nlts .lattIe AiLer
Mrs Femme -isadore Rush
Through the occurrence of one of those
amusing accidents that Will happen in the
best regulated printing Offices the name Of
Roland Reed, as placed on the programmes
distributed prior to the performance OF
His Fathers Boy last night at the
Columbia Theatre, was prefxed, not with
a Mister" but with a Reverend" They
who noticed the triling blunder probably
felt some temporary fear that they had
been tricked into witnessing the production
of a biblical drama. Before the second act
of Sydney Rosenfeld's presentation had
been reached, however the majority OF
these folk had been convinced by the uu
clerical behavior Of the comedian either
that the bills were wrong or that Mr.. Reed
can be as interesting behind ministerial
title as David Belasco has proved to be in
side a ministerial coat. When vociferous
appreciation OF this fact had brought the
player before the curtain with monologue
that should win fer him ready recognition
in the vaudeville houses, the most pessi-
mistic were content.
Candidly and with due praise for the act
ing OF the supporting company, Mr. Reed S
Familiarity characteristic grimaces and at
titudes are all that save His Fathers Boy"
from being a rather dismal failure. II
The Liars" was "a comedy of manners
I the entertainer makes this work a comedy
of maunersms. His Fathers Boy, which
really is hardly more than a rehash Of \.
I NJ Palmers His Absent Boy" bears the
same relation to the usual farce that re-
( yoIver does to heavy artillery Built with
most Of the old-and often not wholly
I pleasant-ingredient and with most Of the
( 1ioonse of its class, the piece rarely is more
/ than smleable. If the audience of yester-
evening laughed the argument is more for
the humor of that audience than for the
/ humor of the Offering. The story, which
/ is so conventional that one can remember
I its having been used by the late lamented
/ Samuel T, Jack. is developed with exceed
! ing slowuess. The proverb is reversed
/ the expected invariably happens. Having
learned in the first scene that William
/ Peunie has invented a son in need OF sup
port with the idea of procuring money
frCm his wealthy wife, the spectator finds
himself obliged to wait until the end OF
upon that wife's determination to adopt
the lad By the way; this is the plot
II. outside of the notable ability of Mr..
Reed and his aids. there is an excellent
quality TO the production, that quality may
be said to be the dialogue. Occasionally
the conversation is tedious. It brisJies
/ with needless asides. Like German made
machete it approaches a point and then
+ turns suddenly But il is cleau-cut, sharp,
ia Untyyi~ hEfg nd
ing. and contains much that is memorable.
In two instances il covers over very weak
I climaxes, and frequently il renders eX-
/ cUsable unwise harping on a solitary sub
ject Again, let the reviewer remark that
the speeches and their speakers prevent
His Fathers Boy from being dull and
render the farce what, under present con-
troll, undoubtedly il is-a really enjoyable
and refreshing affair.
\ theOsophist who hears the comedy this
week probably viii come 10 the immediate
conclusion that Roland Reed is animated
by the spirit of John T. Raymond. Ger
tainly the methods OF the men are exceed
irgly similar Fertile OF grimace and
keenIy conscious of the wit of every SEN
gence Mr.. Reed does more than Vivify the
part of the muddled William Peunie who
like other bad pennies. turns up despite
what the street urchin would call various
turn downs" His entire portrayal is ad-
mirable. Isadore RuSh-she must forgive
this criJicism-dOes not look the role OF 9
woman over forty, though she plays II eN-
tremely we'll Since John 7. Sullivan add
ed a suffering gentleman TO "A Bachel-
or's Honeymoon. localities have seen nC
better character sketch than is the Ed
ward Burney OF Sheridan Tupper. LOttie
Alter. little girl with sweet face aud
an Edna Wallace Hopper voice, assists
Brandon Hurst in he superior depletion
OF two juvenile lovers, while Alethea Luce
the maid of The Wrong Mr.. Wright i:
good as Mrs Burney. The remainder oi
the cast is up 10 the standard
Summed up. though His Fathers Boy
is hardly the Offering at which one could
roar, it is never tiresome, while the per
soualties of the star and his company
contribute greatly toward making it really
entertaining.