The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-11-25
AUDREY EVOKES
Wild ENTHUSIASM n
Opinions Of New York Critics
! Differ Widely.
HERALD ALONE FAVORABLE :
HERALD ALONE FAVORABLE
Others Have Faint Praise for Eleanor
Robson and None for the Oramati-
zation Of Miss Johnston's Book.
William Winter scs,hing.
BY Lawrence j. Anhal..

Especial Dispatch to The Tfmeso
NEW YORK, November ga mildly
enthusiastic gathering greeted the initial
New York performance of Audrey. with
Miss Eleanor Robson in the title role, al
the Madison Square Theatre tonight. The
audience was particularly friendly to the
talented little actress. and while she
scarcely typified Miss Johnstons dream
child of the woods, 1t might be said that
she scored hit. 1t was not a represent
ative first night audience. as society at
terded the opera In full force at the
Metropolitan.
Miss Robson acted her part with little
too much of refinement and daintlness to
accurately portray the poetic creation o! 4
the Virginia author. The few dramatic
incidents of4the play were tndifferently re-
cefved by the audience. and applause was.
bestowed solely on Miss Robson.
NOT RISQUE ENOUGH.
The play is not the sort that will set
Roadway on fire. Judged Independently
from the standard Of the novel it IS no.
a strong play and not to the liking OF
the average New York audience. 1t IS
what the rural critics might term
sweet. and pretty play. but, unfortu-
n:.tely, the perverted tastes of the pres.
ent-day New York playgoers demand the
unsavory piners. sundermaind annuzie.
and their ilk. The play will PROBABLY run
for. a few weeks with a moderate degree
OF prosperity. which will depend mostly
an visiting theatre-goers. The country
riaiden will wisely choose Audrey for
her afternoon entertainment. but it IS
| feared that the New York matinee girl
| will continue to eat her caramels with
Iris. Mrs. Pat" and Favershaul
| Hall Caine and his wife were In the au-
6ierce tonight and the author highly
| praised Miss Robson's work A huge oou-.
Ituet of@roses from Signora Duse wers4
/ Z . RI --,tI4. - EtSrelt
| wishing telegram was received from Miss
t Mary Johnston.
Ala OaIe's Criticism.
Alan Dale will say in the American and
| Journal. Audrey of the eyes. Audrey OF
| the hair" She was the nerone OF the
/ play in six tableaux and no acts at Mad
ison Square Theatre last night. Harriet
Ford and E. r Boddington had dram
| rertized" Miss .Iary Johnstons novel;
/ Eugene W. Presbrey had staged 1t: Hem
| ry X Hadley composed me music. fot
| perhaps the throbbins things we have
seen Of late have spoiled us for such
/ gentle puriiies. beautifully. dressed in
silk and satin. as Audrey" For Audrey
of the ages; Audrey of the times does
| not throb.
But she is nice-awfully nice. and in
surroundings with vitality in them she
/ would have been charming.
| The only interest of any conceivable
sort last night lay in Miss Eleanor Rob-
| son, who was admirable. She Is
/ sympathetic little actress. worthy of be-.
| ing loved by something better than an
Eden Musee figure with rocking-horse
| hair.
She spoke her lines exquisitely. and
there were one or two delicate little
touches in her work that marked her as
an artist But she could not vitaiize
| Audrey Nobody could. Audrey of the
| eyes. Audrey OF the hair. Audrey OF the
| feet, was beyond human power.
The Herald Speaks Kindly.
The New York Herald viii saw: 'Bv
| my faith this new play Audrey" az
| presented by Mistress Robson and her
! company at Master Frohman's Madison
| Square theatre yesterday eve startled the
| bucks and the beaux of the town.
! ..Beshrew me. but It's a fine love tale
/ from the Virginia plantations. and Mas
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