New-York tribune., 1902-03-30
NETWORK DAILY TRIBUNE SUNDAY. MARCH 80 1902
THE DRAMA.
NEW PLAY AT THE BIJOU.
a MODERN MAGDALEN."

new, though not unknown. play called A
Modern Magdalen' adapted. by Mr. Haddon Cham
bers. from Danish original, by Edgar Hoyen. and
known in German "Familie Jensen pro-
duced last night az the Bi1ou Theatre Miss Amelia
Bingham assuming its chief part, and the auxiiiar
parts being presented by members OF her reorgan-
lied dramatic company. II is indicate in subject
absurd in construction, commonplace in style. and
tiresome in effect. and. it comes at the Easter
time Of hope and JOY, its advent is sngularly IN
appropriate and unwelcOme. Its title is a mis-
nomer: for while the ancient Magdalen. who fg-
Ures in the Bible story. was intrinsically fine
creature. repentant and regenerate this modern
MagG1len is a shallow hussy. who acts like a fool.
and upon whose proceedings.-involving the barter
OF chastity for pecuniary advantage.-even though
they be viewed with pity, 1T is impossible to look
without COntemDt
The posture of circumstances in the fable is COM
pletey preposterous. A handsome young woman is
dlscontented with her sordid surroundings, adverse
10 her stepmother sOlicitCus the health OF
her halfsister and repUgnaut the soIicita of
a vulgar money lender; and for these reasons. she
deliberately chooses TO become the mistress of a
married rake. and to disport herself as a dancer in
a disreputabe music hall. Having taken this
vicious step.-a proceeding impossible for decent
woman, and needless TO Industrious One,-she
secretly bestows upon her relatives share OF the
wages of her sin. and those persons thus
abled to i've in afluence,-her father being aware
of the source Of his comfort and being contented
with it. Later she is repused by the half-sister.
whom her shame has saveu. and then she becomes
desperately miserable. and undertakes to poison
herself, but her attempt is thwarted by faithful
mechanic who truly loves her and is willing
take the leavin5s Of harlotry. and upon him at
last. in a reformed condition, her affections
bestowed. a worse rigmarole OF tainted trash
could not easily be devised. 1t was received with
noisy favor by a busy clacque.
Particular consideration of this subject would be
a waste of time The play presents a group Of
more or less obnoxious persons; dilates upon de-
plorable case of weakness sin, and shame, inti-
mates the efficacy of repentance and the praCti-
cabiIity reformation; reterates the stock pIati
tudes of commonplace morality: and repeats the
old, Intellectual stupid endeavor awaken sym
paJhy with maudin woe. 1t is difficult 70
prehend the judgment that could expect public aC-
Ceptance of this wreched rehash OF stale intrigue
and still stale morality. Miss Bingham. if
anxious teach moral lessons to this bsnighed
community (Which, of course. in the gall sim.
might wisely have revived Charlotte Tenn
pe'' or 'Rosina Meadows Stiu more wisely con-
sultng her own interests, the actress might have
adhered TO The Climbers u play which. though
neither strong brilliant, Is at least, respect
able. and in which she has been accepted. Such
play a Modern MagdaIen' chief requisite.
in its performance, being liberal expenditure OF
hysJerics-is only practicable for sympathetic
actress Miss Clara Morris in her earlier years
might perhaps. have vital'zd it: but probably Miss
Bingham. in her widest dreams. has
imagined herself to be posse ssed Of any power TO
stir the feelings. The Bingham Company has lost
its best member. Mr.. Frank Worthing. a light
comedian of and fine talent whom even an
ungratefu part could not obscure and it's new
members combined do not compensate for the loss.
MI Henry E Dixey. making his re-entrance here
after a long absence. was cordially welcomed and
he impaired flavor OF ulirth 20 the otherwise in
sipid proceedings by alert embodiment of an
airy, loquacious jocular. tiPsv old baCkguard, the
disrepItabe father Of the disscIuIe bat ultimately
remorseful heroine A1r Wilton Ieckaye. also
warmly greeted. mose effectively iEipersOnated a
rich vulgarian, Of the girls tdeHed suitors.
Mr. Gottschalk figured "a moral retOTmeT recited
passages from the Bible and duly overwhelmed
with the scorn of several Gemireps-a melan-
choIy spectacle Of misplaced ability The acting OF
Miss Bingham is fairly effective in passages of
banter. and in moods of peJuIance but in serious
/ moments her voice sQoiIs everything. Nothing in
the performance redeems the play. Il is bad a
work OF false picture of life. silly a
study of human nature. trite ethical lesson
and coarse piece Of writing It tells no story;
it is devoid Of any essential thought or valuable
significance, and vusarity is written all over it.