New-York tribune., 1901-09-29
PART II.
FOURTEEN PAGES.
LONDON DRAMA.
PLAYS NEW AND OLD-MR. CARTONS
DISAPPOINTING COMEDY-TWO
ARTISTIC PERFORMANCES.
London. September IS.

dialogue TO the very end. 1t was not a dull
piece when three of the four acts were en-
livered with glimpses OF amateur theatricals
under rehearsal with and without costume, and
when comedy under restraint at the outset
gradually broadened into farce. 1t not,
however. a play with either unity Of purpose
or consistent dramatic story. and. while there
were four acts written around Miss Compton,
there was a marked decline of skill and in
genuitv Of construction in binding together
series Of trivial episodes. The title was ex-
plaIned in detail early in the play. It
parable Of woman's influence and natural af-
fection in the comedy of society and in the
drama of life That the undercurrent,
which determined the course of events in
chapter of diplomacy and intrigue in an Eng
Ush country house, where schemers at
cross purposes. The idea as serviceable
as the phrase. but in working it out Mr.. Carton
had lost his power as a story teller and become
uncertain in aim and method
THE Undercurrent' opens with an act filed
with agreeable sentimental comedy. Sir Frank
Keniston GIr. Bourchier), being heavily in debt
after a career Of fast living is advised by the
Countess Zechyadi (Niiss Compton, TO marry
American heiress, and consents to undertake the
burdens Of courtship out of regard for a
Younger brother, TO whom he wishes TO give a
good sendof in life. The countess secures in
heiress and her commercial uncle and a MEM
her of the diplomatic service to Leckenby
Castle and the dullest playgoer knows pre-
cisely what will happen at the country house.
The heiress will fall in love with the younger
brother and the penniless baronet will revert
tc the matchmaking countess. for whom he has
an innocent platon;c affection. These results
would not have been more obvious if the pro-
grarnrne had announced them along with the
gowns and millinery; but the ways and means
by which the natchmakers schemes are
ts-ded and haf1ed and the course of romance
diverted by the undercurrent of natural pref
.renoe and affection. require three addtionals
acts
The chief complication is supplied by bundle
OF compromising letters which is in the pos
session OF Lady Shelmerdine Miss Violet Van
brugh). q former mistress Of the baronet. and
one OF the guests at Leckenby Castle. This
Jealous woman aims at breaking up the mar
rage with the heiress by sacrificing her own
reputation 10 an unintelligible spite and by
showing the letterS TO her rival. The countess.
observing from the dipomatist's recognition of
Lady Shelmerdine. that he is aware OF some
disgraceful passage In her history, holds parey
with him. agrees to obtain coveted appoint
ment for him. and learns the secret. Lady
shelmerdine had once been convicted of theft
n an American court. The countess. armed
with this information. is enabled to have a
battle royal az midnight with the adventures,
and 10 obtain after theatrical scene. the
bundle Of letters. with gratuitous confession
Of various incidents Of base career. The play
has advanced in this way, with interludes of
tarcical byplay. to a serious drama at the close
of the third act; but the pistols all fired IN
ths air. or. &c speak more accurately are not
loaded at all Even with a well written and
well acted duel Of wit between the two women
IL Is much ado about nothing for the match
between the baronet and the heiress has not
been either in the playwright's or the play
goer's mind. and when the obstacle Of the in |
eliminating letters is removed, the undercurrent
carries everybody II will. without any re- |
garo Tor the scheming and counter plot of the |
country house. Melodrama has to nothing, |
and the ground is clear for a final farcical act
OF pleasant foolng, with amateur theatricals |
and general Encouragement of couples
Not only does this comedy suffer from the |
aimlessness and artiAcality OF the construc- |
ton' but also from radical defects of observa-
ton in dialect. The countess is supplied with |
spurious jargon. which is neither English, nor
French nor Hungarian and bristIes with con- |
structons so preposterous to be incredible
IN anybodys mouth Miss Compton on the
opening night intensified the artificiality OF the
dialect by specifically Initiating French ac-
cent and utterly negecting intonatIon The
american heress, Melpomene as represented
py Miss Anna Robinson, was an equally i'm
pOsslpie bundle Of vugarities, with resources of
e'ahe' Tudlues Of expression and slapdash Of J
tehslVeness OF speech such as surpass the
knowledge Of any native of the United States
iHese earicatures Of American women are popu-
lar IN England for burlesque purposes. and 7
.esfet 10 add that American actresses with
handsome faces are always TO be found for
eA@egefating them. 1t is to be sincerely hoped
tHat International amenities will some day
reach stage Of amiabIe benevolence when it
wa be impossible to have these vulgar HbeIs
upoh the manners Of American women in circu-
'auoh upon the English stage.
among the autumn theatres there are two
performances Of the highest artistic quality
Inc Elder Miss Blossom and 1.-The second
,IS' Ianqueray." The plays may be old but
,Ns' Kendall and Mrs. Campbell are each seen
!" oongenial impersonation. and each is at her
vet Mrs. KendaTs method of playing this
s44' is so effective in its naturalness and re-
-lerhent Of womaniy sensbility as to render
- anoonvincing play inteligibe and credible
-e gentle old maids love affair with an old |
- Nhom she barely knows and has not seen |
Hafee years is brought safely within the |
-1.se OF probabilities by her whimsical humor
a TALENT for suggesting the dreamy ideals of
iO4eiy life; the patllos Of the mortified and
,oppoihted woman when she understands the
mistake is revealed by innumerable
-oiies Of womanliness and with perfection of
80 realism; and the old maid, in her trem-
" distress and brave struggle for self
-. '.Niaho becomes so charming and so lovabIe
toS. '.if abrupt transfer of the lovers afec-
i -iofn youthful niece 10 middle aged aunt
ohaple enough on the stage irrational
~ may appear In the cold light OF reflection