New-York tribune., 1902-09-05

THE DRAMA.
HOW MUMMIEs ARE MADE MEN

The Empire Theatre opened last night with
John Drew and MS company in the first American
production Of Isaac Hendersoa's play. The
Mummy and the Hummng Bird" To make
mummy out of Richard CarveI and the rest OF
those heroes who owe their stage existence 10
Mr.. Drew would seem TO be small task. Yet
Mr.. Drew achieved it He made such a good
mummy. in fact. that one could identify it on first
sight. Without even removing the wrapping one
said "Ah, here they all are again, MI Drew is
it not?'
But soft. Il word or two about the play. The
mummy is English scientist so wrapped up in
his science that he leaves his young wife without
those attentions young wives accustomed to
ceve, preferably from their husbands. She tries
she really does-to induce him to abandon the labo
ratory for loving but fails. So she resorts to
friendship of Italian-a dashing Itaian-author.
nfcknamed by the mummy the 'Humming Bird
A young Italian organ grinder then comes along.
and by signs and vigorously suggestive speech In
his native tongue tells the mummy he is in Eng
land TO avenge himself on a fellow countryInan
who had seduced his wife. He recognizes his man
in the Humming Birds picture The mummy
wakes UP, and engages him as valet
The young wife. who is charmingly unsophfsti-
Gated for young. then goes Off alone at
night. after stormy scene with her husband to
the Humming Birds apartment. where she becomes
greatly surprised at what the latter suggests to
her and is stoutly protesting when knock is
heard. 1t turns be the knock OF the mummy.
who has been connected with by the blood
room. and the mummy enters. The mummy. with
charming self-restraint and the polished OF
manners then proceeds to set a little stage and
enact a little play. with a keenness worthy OF
Sherlock Holmes and a sense for theatrical effect
that would do credit TO that gentleman's drama
tZer. He gets his wife out OF the bedroom and
home unknown to the Humming Bird. he has lots
OF fun noting that wicked mans embarrassment,
and he finally waves in his face tor rather. writes
on his engagement caIendar) the vendetta of the
organ grinder. Then he goes out. like true gen-
ueman. with a polite Goodnight"
But the next act We haven't had much comedy
yet this season to be sure: there have been
many comic operas. And IL Is seldom safe 10 pre-
dict what the season may bring forth But the
first scene Of the fourth att of - ne Mummy and
the Hummins Blrd' is surrey the aroIest up to
date, nor does a dip into the immediate future
promise anything TO excel it. II is so very GrolI
II We're d shame u describe IT, II must be seen
to bz enjoyed. Suffice it 10 say. some men
iofh humorous, some men achieve humor. and
some men nave humor thrust upon them. In this
act Mr Henderson belongs to the last class.
Jonn Drew played through the part OF Mr..
Drew, alias Lord Lunley. alias the mummy with
ease and mastery Of stage situa tons IL must
De said in justice that it was a thaukIess often
impossible. part written, to make a vital char
acter OF. and that John Drew is quite as pleas
ant person TO watch performing as a live
mummy.
The vital character in the play was the
organ grinder of young Lionel Barrymore. In his
single short scene he exhibited burst of genuine
passion that was good to feel. for he made you |
feel 1t with him. He should in the future prove |
worthy to carry the family name into the casts |
of far better plays than The Mummy and the |
HummiEg Bird