New-York tribune., 1901-09-22
NEW PLAY BY PINERO.
SUCCESSFUL PRODUCTION OF IRIS AT
THE GARRICK IN LONDON.
THE DRAMATIsT NOT sQUEAMIsH ON
MORAL GROUNDS-A RICH WIDOW
WITH TWO LOVERS

Copyright; 1901: BY The New-York Tribune3
tBT CABLE TO THE TRIBUSE.l
London, Sept. 20, ] a. nl.-The production OF a
new play by Pinero is always an important the
atrica event. attracting large and critical
audience. The Garrick Theatre was crowded
last night with eager spectators. and we'll
had the secrets of the stage been kept that
stalls and galleries alike were ignorant OF the
nature of the play and the movement OF
the underplot. Iris" was followed consequent
ly. with intense curiosity and breathless in
terest until the final fall of the curtain.
Pinero unlike Carton, does not write a play for
and around one actress. but he ordinarily has
one in mind for the chief part, and when spe-
cial training is required. coaches her for il 1t
the rehearsals The young American actress
Fay Davis, selected the heroine of this piece
is a West End favorite. and intense interest has
heen manifested in her success.
The play opened with a dinner marty at a
London house. Iris Bellamy is a rich widow
condemned by the conditions of her husbands S
will not to marry again under penalty of losing
all his wealth. There were alternate scenes
with two lovers. one OF whom she agreed to
marry, and then cast him off In order TO run
away with the other. The second and third
acts were beautifully staged for villa at
Cadenabbia, Lake Como. where most of the
guests OF the dinner party reassembed. includ-
ing both the lovers. one of whom had her heart,
while the other was plotting unique vengeance.
News was received Of the loss of the widow s
fortune through the dishonesty of business
manager. She first parted with the man whom
she loved, on his promising TO return and marry
her after accepting business appointment in
British Columbia She next took a book of
signed checks from his rival, and thereby en-
abled the discarded lover to get her into his
power and punish her. The third and fourth
acts were staged for a London fiat, where Iris
was the mistress Of the resentful lover, who had
disgraced and Inundated her. yet anxious
TO marry her. The man whom she had loved
returned to London, found his way to the fiat.
and when he had heard her confession coolly
walked out of the door. The rival next ap-
peared In a frenzy Of rage and jealousy, and
attacked her murderously. Recovering his self
possession, he ordered her into the street, and
when she had crept out of the door he smashed
the window and furniture. and showed other
evidences Of insanity, the curtain falling upon
the empty home.
Pinero has returned to THE Second Mrs. Tan
queray'' class of drama. and has not been
squeamish on moral points. He has produced a
most powerful play in dramatic construction
and climax. The excitement Of the audience
was intense in the final act. and the play was
received with rounds of applause and without
signs of dissent Miss Davis looked handsome
and acted with more emotional power and with
a wider range of variety than she has ever be-
vas very strong throughout the play, and car
ried the house by the tremendous force of his
acting at the close. Charles Bryant and Dion
Boucicault were excellent in their parts. The
play will be condemned by moralists but passed
successfully the ordeal of a first night.