New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-17

A NEW PLAY AT THE EMPIRE.
"BRorHER OFFICERS"

The new comedy called Brother Officers oy
Leo Trevor which produced last nght IN 'Hs
Empire Theatre exhibits a military character u
the rough diamond order tells commonplace
though pleasing story ir neat way, anu prOFiue
a respectable entertainment The rough diamond
was Lieutenant John Kinds, V. c. lie hau us
played valor and various other manly quahtes' III
his professional life and on the field of battle. but
being a man of humble and even base origin uu-
schooled in fashion and unframed In courts no
vas awkward in the drawing room. where MS
plumbers. at FIRST sometimes made him seem rlocu-
lous In a social emergency. however, ne was De-
friended by the Baroness Royden kindly young
gentlewoman. who knew his worth and whose tact
soon placed him at his ease. winning MS Brau-
tude and. presently, his affection. He then ascer-
tanned that Lady Roy6en was beloved, and capti-
waited by Lieutenant Pleydell. brother offcer'
whose life he had saved. and that nothing remained
for him friendship It often happens So in actual
fortune and experience has frequently shown that
It is often much better to be friend than lover
PleydeIl had involved himself In a gambling scrape
and was less at the mercy or vulgar
INSCRIPTIONS, wealthy. somewhat formidable al
venturer. named Robert Hutton to whom he had
lost money that he could pay. In these circun-
stances Lieutenant Kinds clearly saw his mission
rescue his brother officer, and thus to provide
clear way for the nuptlals Of Pleyden and Lady
Royden and for their future happiness That mis-
sion duly accomplished.-Hnds discomhting
Hutton, much as John Midmay discounts Captain
Hawksley, Still Waters. "-coercing him.
through knowledge of his criminal and disgracefuI
past-and in this action. in all his previous
conduct showing himself to be generous, mag
nanimous steadfast. tender and true The comedy
reveals an affinity with "Old Heads and Young
Hearts, and indeed with many Old stories and ear
ler plays, of the latter being The Cabinet
Minister" But it has solid merit. Its spirit is
pure, its mechanism is simple. its texture is occa-
sionally bright and, without being remarkable in
any particular. it possesses symmetry, it produces
at least one dramatic effect.-though this. the
scene of Hutton's defeat, Is marred by much pro-
txity,-and II diffuses decent and sometimes
cheerful influence II prettily set and, for the
most part, agreeably acted,-the principal charac-
tiers being presented by William Faversham, Guy
Standing. Edwin Stevens and Margaret Anglin.
The play is well supplied with those auxiliar parts
which known feeders, and more than we'll
supplied with needless explanations and with point
less talk.
Manner is innate. Manners can be acquired The
word fine one thing and the word coarse
means another. Human beings differ, and textures
and all the training and theoriziEs in the world will
never remove natural disparity and make them
all alike. That IS the mental drift OF the play Of
Brother Officers" 1t is sound doctrine. but not
startling in novelty.-and il has not. this case
been brilliantly enforced; and the play IS rather
be commended for good intention than strong effect
The character Of kinds that had to be built up
by Mr.. Faversham. is difficult, because Of its COM
plete transparency and lack OF color Mr.. Faver-
sham expressed the rough soldiers awkwardness
skifully and with humorous results, but, for
the rest. he had far more the bearing and
quality OF the born gentleman than the
aristocratic officer with whom Kinds con-
trasted and from whom he wishes to learn the so
cial arts. An actress Of opulent physical charm IN
the character OF the Baroness Roydon. would have
made the piece far more sympathetic. Intelligence
will not supply the place OF distinction, feminine
enehantment, and that imperial fascination which
appertaIns to a really splendid woman. The in
tellectual and the angular delightful in cuhrch
windows. but those ecclesiastical joys do not stir
the heart. Mr. Edwin Stevens. as Hutton, the
most striking figure In the cast-a thoroughly stud
led. sharply defined. and consistently maintained
and expressed image of inveterate tmposture, the
outside all specious with the varnish of hypocrisy
with watchful craft all vigilant beneath.
CAST OF .BRoTHER oFFICERs."