New-York tribune., 1901-09-03
THE DRAMA.
,oux DREW AT THE EMPIRE.
THE SECOND IN COMMAND"

cordially welcomed by a numerous
W -,ru.nt audience, appeared al the Empire
fna last night beginning the new season.
Thsa"e - tenth-at that house. and presenting
Fhicn u - - Major Christopher Bingham, in
ths eha ,,arsnaITs play called The Second in
IapN" This play had a long and prosperous
uoH'D -, season in London. az the Haymarket,
oieei t reason 20 expect that il will enjoy
30 s.-or here Enforced IN origin, natural
s.-,trs definite in purpose, interesting In story.
r. o,nstruction. and facile and crisp in style
Ha.s,,s - a group Of attractive persons. and IL
srf5v u composite human nature and
a-i1 a-,ss human character much as these are
a'e,s-.-5 ,e5 1, actual life when agitated and
- - nv the passion Of love and fettered or
'si -. ,be vicissitudes of fortune The central
-, n The play bears upon certain pathetic
nue. :, exrertence not uncommon, which is dis
spec I.s,+ from fate One man is born TO
uh'~s - another Is born 70 failure one life
So. - s-,oothly 70 victory. while another with
sD ..ls-,tv and certainty, moves 10 defeat Tho
70 !, hofh cases may be auspieious. but the
f@s a. ,,av-table. for one there will be a crown;
fsl. ,.er a cross. II IL not preordination: II
70 @s.--sl development. The seeds Of the future
.,,losed within the present, and circum-
az - q great extent. are the consequences
slIlo lI.- That would seem 10 be the purport
o. -, -, s,tsfance of the piece. In mental sig
o. 80. .ccorsirglv II Is serious. In garb, how
g,s quaint gay, pictoris+. and delightful
an
+~ s,a his story shows that such he was
fial- - -sr,ain not only in his regiment. but in
oT--.t else This is the sad irony Of fate The
80 q worthy 10 lead; the lover is worthy 10
.uan is one Of the gentlest. bravest. noolest
-. order. but the desires # his heart are not 10
: sraeuaa he will deserve rewards. but- oelng
5ssh rnagnaniuous, simple and true, he VII
- each forth his hand ana treacherously or
,,s,rlv take them. He viii show some weak
- once will blunder into sin: but he cannot
-, !, v--o-rsolug he viii the life and
-. Cor the happiness of his rival and, having
s.sv,rslv begun with the chasing of rainbo"s,
II -usfulv vet cheerily end with wearing the
srov His story IS simplicity itself he loves
..r,r wouan. Muriel Mannering by name, the
.,sts- of one of his neutenants, and he asks her
- marry him His solicitation is encouraged by
~ consent: but he Is frankly apprised BY her that
- aoss NOT love him-her affections having been
bss,oEed on another man. known 20 her only from
a sieht Of his portrait He Is content with TINS
s-sa.s fortune and he hopes Tor the best Mean
uhgs Muriels brother,-who has become irape-
,,,n,ous and whose position IN the military service
4, for This reason Observation-Disclosures 10 think
. ,bs- his sister should marry Colonel Miles An
s--rthsr who is rich and who has predominated
over Bingham. in obtaining command ot the regi-
rerr Anstruther enters. Mur1el recognizes in him
the original OF the portrait that has bewitched her
these two promptly become lovers; and Bingham
M
70 his fate and so-parrly because he Is himself
deceived and partly because his love makes him
nomentarily selhsh-he cOnnives IN deceiVlng the
manly and credulous Acknowledgements him
thar Muriel is sacrificing herself and BY that means
causing the lovers 10 part Later, having saved the
HE OF Anstruther in a South African battle, he
confssses this deceit.-of which he has. all along
been ashamed-and so he makes clear and smooth
his rivals pathway 10 welded bliss, and his own
relegaton into that extensive limbo Of self-sacri-
hce which has long been popu0us with rine Ideals
Of romance.
Mr. Drew's alacrity 10 comprehend and facility
70 indicate Y fully 10 express, such character
as that Of Major Bingham has often been mani
tested In certain essential particulars there IS
elemental harmony between the actor and the part.
in the particulars CT repose self-command grav-
sly sentiment and half-whinsical and haIf-meIan-
choy hunOr and IN the mood that can smile over
past illusions, accepting loss with composure and
bearing misfortune with cheerful acquiescence. In
those scenes Of intense feeling which impIicate
devotion 10 a woman a comedian OF this order
easily gets beyond his range. Men possessed of
Intellectual character. humor. the sense OF the
ridiculous and The faculty OF playful satire are
seldom impressive as stage lovers. Mr..
DreEs dramatic ardors serve for stage expedients-
sne FOR them only. (Since Fechter died there has
been nobody make the Claude Melnotte attitude
absolutely natural and authenticD In emotional
scenes that inpcate comradeship. on the con
rary,-the kindness that men sometimes have for
each ether, their sense OF honor their passionate
Integrity their irfUl. wayward gusts Of pity for
he weak and Of contempt for their passions,
sentiments, faults and follies.-sUch a comedian
as Mr. Drew is often superbly adequate; and he
Tl move easily in passages OF pained perplexity.
ahd through moments OF half-melancholy. half
efol, haf-Wistful half-bttter self-confict Nj
Drew found congenial opportunities in this com
eoy, and he seized them with a firm grasp held
/ frr and f~s7nr ed Nth
snarp and fine effect. His style had no need 70
eoohe more incisive. il has matured in the better
sualues OF melowness and grace. His wistful
1oHery. IN the avowal of romanticaIly chivalrous
''e ms self-blinding giadness in the faIlacous
'leeess OF H. his touching effort 10 disguise sorrow
M nrth and his rueful acceptance Of mis-
asnoe and defeat a matter OF course-aI these
I1olhes of feeling and limitations of character
"e excellent with nature and lovely with graces
an Al many points the touch was deliFhtsuIly
i1'ea with that of Jefferson. as seen or felt IN
As Of mat great comedians peculiar moods Of
teo pathos and humor. His passion. when
Ait learns that ne cannot 20. with his
eaashI 10 the war, seemed 10 sob its way di-
- out or MS heart and Il moved his great
aee as with sudden blast Of storm. There
- - o no doubt of his victory There car be no
s,s u ne splendid success of Captain Marshans
- nc essential characters in the play have
- - niSefininated with singular ingenuity The
!. standings between the heroine her broth
49, her Two lovers are contrtved with subtle
-, N.u managed so as 20 create dramatic situa-
- rare and exceptional force and beauty. The
49,, me parting between Anstruther and
-oo'h being sadly. bitterly miserable al
- lposes-shows altogether unusual knowl-
- u human nature and IL Is written with the
49, oelcacy and finish. This was acted by
- iua Conquest and Mr.. Guy Standing upon a
- 'e'el OF genuine emotion. Miss Conquest
-''e - II possessing voice Of most expressive
wsSs' :. telling. in its quality, far more Than
.ess 0fess car know OF intend.-incarnated a most
~, ana noble girl, bitterly tried and she did
=. dy simply and truly. BY the performance
-, fanny and easily transcends ali her COM
49,, 80 on the Empire stage Mr H H. Short
- supplied much of the merrinent Of the night
| - -ea Aernon shon-lnn the sterlirc aaunnaaaaa