The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1899-11-25
THE PASSING SHOW
VILLA GATHER
II hate him, for he b a Christian
Merchant Of Venice.

-Mefehant OF Venice.
Miss Viola Allen and Hall Gaines
much advertised monstroeity, 1.-THE
Christian" are in town. or 1.-THE Chris.
tian: Play" all I that can Say lie that
1t is neither Christian nor play, and that
heatben lands would blush to have
given it birth. Mr.. Hall Games income
is twenty thousand pounds year, and
Mr.. Henry James. the first living writer
Of pure English and the highest expo
nent Of refined literary art, makes an in.
come Of three hundred pounds year,
smaller sum than most expert account.
anita are content with. Now II the
figures Of the two mems incomes were
reversed, it would indicate the milenisl
dawn OF public taste.
The only merit have ever heard
he claimed for 1T Christian" lie that it 10
exciting, and 30 1t is 10 thoroughly
illegitimate manner, much az "Ths Sign
Of the Cross" IL exciting. That IL to cay,
itis frankly and aggressively sensational.
II an author denies himself no liberty,
shuns DO situation. however trite and
cheap, permits himself all the ugly, dis
agreeable words that yellow journalism
has invented. he ought to be able to
concoct some sort Of excitene nt for the
gallery, at lesst-snd in all audiences
the gallery element predominstes. no
matter where they happen to sit. II
Mr.. Hall Csine fails to interest his de-
voted readers. it is certainly because Of
no delicate scruples 90 to the means be
uses.
The plot Of the play follows closely
that Of the novel. with which the public
is. alas, more familiar. than with that
Of many better book. The fret act 10
placed in the Isle Of Man, whore Glory
Qusyle firts q bit with some strange
gentleman from London, and makes her
plans to 90 there and take up the voca-
ton Of q trained nurse, during which
conversation her glum, ecclesiastical
lover sulks among the ruins Of the old
castle. Miss Aliens desperate and col.
ssientious attempts at kittenishness, /
found both inadequate and painful. She
is an earnest, serious young woman,
with much strenuousness and something
OF the puritanic 10 her make up. She IL
q wonderfully thorough and capable
actress, but che 10 by no means great
enough to escape the Limitations OF her
own decided personality. Mr.. Hall
Game himself did not seem to have any
very clear or consistent conception OF
GLORY Quayle." save that she ressm-
bled Ellen Terry ply sically and temper.
amentally, and that she was msdcap
creature, full Of life and health and
youthful blood. Now when Miss Allen
essays to play madcap girl OF smiles
and Gears, she goes against nature, ana
ell the positiveness OF her own intense
individuality is against her. That che
can play 90 exotic q character 90 we'll as
she does attests much 90 TO her skill and
training, but after ali an actress is more
fortunate when she pulls with the cur
rent Of her own nature.
The ending OF this first act is little
less than ludicrous. "John Storm,
the sulky lover. makes some vague sug'
gestions that IL "Glory" would consent
to remain on the island and marry him.
such proceeding might not seriously
interfere with his theological studies
When che fails to fervidly embrace this
icy opportunity, he talks church and TO-
nuutiation, and suddenly calls bic sweet
heart down to the front OF tho stage be-
fore the assembled populace Of the lse