New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-10
LONDON DRAMA.
A DIsAGREEABLE PLAY AT THE GAR.
RICK-UNWHOLESOA ENTERTAIN
MENT AT PLAYHoUSES-AD DIES
PERATE REMEDY.
London. October 20.

perrerse talent for writing disagreeable plays
Even Mr.. Esmond, whose experience as an
actor is a safeguard against faulty construc-
zion. has failed to provide pleasant entertain
Tnent az the Garrick Theatre. My Lady Vir-
tue" is not a dull play. for the dialogue is
bright and the situations are interesting and
possibly fresh; but even when we'll produced
as il is under Mr.. Arthur Bourchier's manage
raent. the story is confused. the thesis is un-
convincing and the leading characters are either
contemplate or impossible people. Mr.. Esmond
does not affect to be moralist. II he has a
serious purpose it is in his mind almost I'M
consciously and colors his work all the way
Tt fulfls Mr.. Maarten Maartens's ideal OF
moral design in fiction: 1t should not be like a
snake in q bottle OF spirits but like whiskey
in water The thesis. so far as IL can be
formulated, is that superluous truth should be
suppressed in the interests of domestic conven-
ience. As the conscientious heroine's worldly
mentor explains the matter: Common sense
should tell you that sometimes it is your duty
10 do your duty, and sometimes it isn't Like
al devices for regulating conscience this theory
~ life raises controversial questions; and even
4 the practicabity or expediency of common
sense as drag upon unnecessary and unproft-
able truth telling be admitted the moral is a
meagre compensation for the bad company in
which the playgoer finds himself when the cur
tain rises. 1t is unjust. however TO Law stress
upon this thesis. many of the dramatic crit
les DO in considering the merits of this drama
Mr. Esmond would probably disclainn. If he were
asked any Intention OF preaching sermon on
any text such as What is TRUTH" He has
sought 10 write effective play and TO pro-
vide incidentally Mr. Bourchier, Miss Violet
Nanbrugh and Miss Eva Moore with congeniai
worl1manlike parts: but whether he has sue
eeeded or failed, the playgoers have an un-
comfortable evening and go home with a bad
taste in their mouths.
The play is concerned with the love and rae
ing affairs OF two households in an English
country town. Sir Godfrey Ernestone Nfr
MLward) is a politician rising steadily in pub
lie life. and accepting as his rightfui due his
wife's affection and devotion. Miss Eva Moore
is My Lady Virtue. a woman Of stern, un-
bending rectitude. whose theory of life is that
the whole truth should be told in all circum-
stances. Their neighbors. with whom they are
not on speaking terms. are BramIey BurvilIe
cAIr Bourchier), a turfman. gambler and
blackmailer, and his handsome spirited wife
miss Violet Vanbrugh). If Burville suggests
degenerate Rawdon Crawley. the wife is
neither as fascinating as unprincipIed as
Becky Sharp, albeit almost as resourceful in the
most dramatic scene. While the two households
are out OF social touch. Burville has been in
love with Lady Ernestone and has named the
mare which he has entered for the st. Leger
Ny Lady Virtue: and Sir Godfrey before his
marriage had carried on discriminating cor
respondence with Mrs. Burville. The action
Of the play turns upon this correspondence.
Mrs. Burville calls at Sir Geoffreys house late
at night TO warn him that her husband has
discovered the correspondence and will institute
divorce proceedings unless he be provided
with money for backing his horse for the st.
Leger. AS Sir Godfrey is out, Lady Ernestone
receives her rivals confidence and commune
Gates the warning to her husband the next
day He offers TO perjure himself If the case
goes to court but Ny Lady Virtue insists
that the truth must be told; and while they are
disputing the discriminating correspondence is
delivered TO Lady Ernestone in a letter from
Mrs. Burve. who had stolen II from her hus-
hands pocket. When Burville comes on his
hlacknailing errand he is challenged by Sir
Godfrey TO produce the letters. and discovers
that the documents are not in his pocket. My
Lady Virue loyal 10 her theory that the
truth must be proclaimed. supplies the black
mailer with the evidence by handing to him
his wife's letter with the Enclosure. All these
proceedings are grossly improbable as they
are nauseating and offensive.
The play, however is only half finished.
third act is written around the recovered CORE
spondence. which the turfman shows to his wife
before putting il away in d safe. She knocks
over a standard lamp and sets fire to the sup
per table; and while he is extngushing the
flames she seizes the letters and filings them into
the fireplace. where they are burned Having
delivered him from temptation, she offers 70 sell
her diamonds and 10 pay his debts. Meanwhile
1Iy Lady Virtue has been tramping across
country late al night to visit Burville and to
offer him her check for e. 600 hush money.
The gambler refuses the money. but is inspired
by her folly to declare his passion for her and
20 attempt TO embrace her, although he has been
exchanging endearments with his wife short
tine before. A silly busybOdy witnesses this ar
rested Irritation and picks up the check. and the
united efforts Of the two households are put
forth in the closing act for the suppression OF
the new scandal and the negotiation of a gen
eral treaty of peace. This result is finally
brought about with the adventurous aid Of the
mare. My Lady Virtue. who wins the ST.
Leger and enables Burville TO dispense with
blackman Superiuous Truth. II entered for the
final running is hopelessly distanced.
The four main parts well played. Mr.
Bourchier, as the amiable but i'll conditioned
blackguard, acts with GOODNESS, eccentric humor
and admirable force. and Miss Violet Vanbrugh
supports him with dashing recklessness and
emotional intensity. Mr.. Dawson Milward has
The sincerity and the country manners requisite
for the denotenent OF the Member Of Parliament
with the inconvcnient past. and Miss Eva Moore
nininlizes so far as possible. the inherent fool
ishness of Lady Ernestone, and is not without
charm The byplay OF the subordinate char
acters is well managed. especially the soelai
ethics OF Lady ErnestOne's good natured MENTOR
the zeal Of the scandalmongering interloper' the
apprehension Of a fussy old gentleman lest ne
should not know all that is going on and the
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