New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-09
MUSIC-THE DRAMA.
captain MOLLY


The Manhattan Theatre opened last night with
the American play Captain Molly, by
george c. Hazeiton, author of MISTRESS >eii'
Inc title part played by Ehzaoe'h '1iee'
whose friends present In large iluiiioeis "
give her warm but not objectonabiy ehusive
welcome a star. Captain Molly opened Oh
time. ran with commendabe smoothness ana ra
putty. and finished before II o'clock ne nai VI
ACT III, the battle scene, ending Win Moh ''.'o
left alone by the gun, which she fires In the race
OF the enemy aroused genuine enthusiasm Inc
rest or the play was provocative OF hafu ~
IMAM mild interest. Such Is the bare story
And behind that bare story lies the tale OF MI
Hazeltons blunders. That he did not folio" MS
tory in the story of Moll Pitcher is not to be sure
one of them. Moll Pitcher really a rough "h'
d herman by birth, and, before the war pesah'
''She very imprudently married the barber
Such character would never do for the heroine
OF a light comedy. where young lovers figure ana
young love triumphs in the end. Mr. Hazel'oh' save
IN the single incident of the cannon at Monmouth
cheerfully disregarded history, and with Miss
1yrees aid made Mol Pitcher most charming
maid. both to the eye and the imagination
Mr.. Hazeton's blunders rather lay In the ract
mat under the name of a comedy. he tried TO com
bine humor, sentiment and melodrama. ana was
oVertaken by the proverbial fate or the many
traded Jackie did of them first rate Inc
comedy was often forced, the dialogue mechanical:
the sentiment was frequently untmely. not to say
false. and the meodrama not 50 completely
led up to and worked out as be wholly convinc-
ing. The result to give the play an effect
rather OF amateurishness than of unhealthy: ana
this in spite Of the excellent stage management
AS concrete examples of these faults take hrst
the scene between Molly and Barry Kenyon 'John
W. Albaugh jrD. her finally successful lover IN the
opening act. Kenyon ia supposed to be rather
bashful young farmer but he suddenly begins
with no reason whatever to talk about the stars
In a hyperlyric strain. pointing up the chimney
mouth meanwhile. one thanks Molly. indeed. Tor
bringing him back 10 earth.
Again. in the second act, Molly stands by the
hlacksmith's forge and tells another sutton. the
william OF the piece. that she will never marry MN
because. when they children by this same
forge. he burned kitty with a piece OF red not
iron. This sudden argumentum alb fele Is dan
gerously drol.
Again in the theatrical battle scene the most eff
fective incident the play cannot be regarded as
wholly convincing because. though the cannon j.
dragged the top OF the incline with speh-
didly simulated effort and expenditure or raining
strength It Is not loaded. primed or aimed nor Is
any clear indication given of just why that par
tcular cannon will the day. Molly rnshes
ND 10 an apparently unloaded and certainly I'M
aimed cannon. touches 1t ou-and, 10! Washing
toms army s saved. while the curtain oescet'dS.
But the greatest blnnder in sentiment occurs IN
the fourth and last act. M0Nys beloved barry
KENYON Is supposed TO have been Killed Dy
Molly and all but the villain. who did his brSI 10
put the suppositon on a firm basis VI cou's Sc
Barry turns up again, but 10 ascertain IL NIo''S
really loves him. he has himself brought In on ii
o,ratcber NJ one OF the nametess dead. Molly I'M
covers the face who II is. and fails down pS
the body with d stricken cry. Then Kenyon SITS
m the crowd scatters In low comedy fFlsht' an"
Molly instead OF striking him In the i"Ie a.
deserves comes into his arms. II may De- tFseu
,bat the preceding acts have made the play SUI
ncientlv improbable TO excuse this scene ho,
Miss Tyree plays her grief too well LOT Il goo"
MANY ueople to admit the excuse
Miss Tyree throughout the play cAIlleu IT,.
-, -. az, ,,,,r,r.d TO give to her not always
fresh or bright retorts deal Of mirth ana hnihor
In petticoats or soldiers boots she was charming
10 look at Mr. Albaugh. as her lover had d s'is"t
tendency TO whine. after the traditional manner u
80. yrho are not sure OF their ground OF the
-, &c y,,,l,an Weston's drummer boy was
deugbtful +, watch As before stated, the stage
r,,napen,ent was most commendabie.