New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-10-01
THE DRAMA-MUSIC.
,rp KELLERD IN A NEW PLAY.
1.-THE CIPHER CODE"


n,ose pertorna noes IN the plays of
MY r. a. they are remembered al ALL are
ehAs.red with a certain patient grief, appeared
renAr- a. the Fourteenth Street Theatre, and by
l.o-mance Of decided abiity-wel planned, well
sp.-.s sveu effective, and at points indicative
s.,.er and feeling-made il clear that he is
oi..darabIv more proficient in the vineyard Of
cohs.-o-.neous human interest than in the
~ the bard OF Avon The play, Mr..
-. 1.-The Cipher Code" has already been
,-sbes IN this place. Its plot Is complex,
-bs author has neither laid its basis with
-" .tfnl care nor reared its structure with con-
rs.e skill The amatory sentimental part
-. ,r,ooss;ble at the outset, and becomes partly
ss-e,csl and partly preposterous at the climax;
-. ,hc detective part is so displayed as TO excite
,..-.s, maintain suspense. and produce dra-
80. situation Of a highly effective character.
" Kolerd irpersonates James Kelso schen-
a.. INSCRIPTIONS. bland. plausible rogue. who
sus conducting willy intrigue to win money by
s,.,o,est means, nevertheless retains sufficient
.--ue 10 irlpel him. at the last, TO make sacri-
g.. If himself for the rescue and welfare OF others
r,s mart is slightly reminiscent Of Prothero
a. "a Rogues Comedy by Henry Arthur Jones.
,,.sented here some time ago by E. S Willard
"a Mr. KeIlerd's embodiment of kelso is some
xbat analogous TO the representation that Mr..
-1-r1ard gave There is, however, a great differ
,cs between these actors. Mr.. Kellerd was par
-.cularv felicitous IN his maintenance Of smooth
covering. out not COnCtdllng,
r,,t mind resolUte will. and ardent spirit
or al least the stimulation Of it, and this flexible,
.,,uous ingenious silky manner he made agree
,ls and attractive by means Of his CHEEKY and
,rsu nigh invariable humor The dilemma e
rr.lso IN the structure OF the play. is sequent On
,,s love for whose brother is
one Of his accomplces in rascality. and
,o has secretly married Kelso's daughter,
,-h,le Kelso. for while. believes that
- ,ax degraded and betrayed her. The impulse OF
bs father is 10 avenge his child. but this he cannot
a, r,thout striking at the woman whom he loves.
orb.r innocent persons are enmeshed in the web
:, his intrigue but at the crisis he takes all the
s,,f- upon himself. and again exemplifes that
ia truth that there may be soul of goodness in
,b,nss evil. Wild liberties are taken with Off
clsl characters and social manners in Washing
,on life and the development Of the fable is
much protracted. but the play contains ele-
reuts OF interest, and II took a decided hold
upon the favor and sympathy Of its audience.
Mr. Kellerd has the valuable cooperation
Of Nj Weaver and Mr.. Walcot, two Of the most
conscientious and thorough OF the older actors OF
the time and likewise he received efficient aid from
Miss Maud Hoffman, who. in the diffuse and tu-
-nultuous part OF the heroine, Kate Enderby "a
character that only very slowly energies from
completely nebulous condition). put forth her
powers in vein OF impressive passion and helped
10 deepen the sense Of sincerity. W. W.