The sun., 1903-04-01
THEMES OF THE THEATRES.
THE REVIVAL OF"LOVERy LANE"
AT THE MURRAY HILL.
septuageusrian Love Making on the stage
why Docs II Get There THE Celtic
Thin skin--A Demand On Bert williams
where II Racial Pride 70 stop.

Why Docs IL Get There:--The Celtic
Thin skin-A Demand On Bert Williams
where IL Racial Pride 70 stop.
Lovers Lane is about two years old
considering It's age It wears exceedingly
well. OF some later plays by Mr.. Fitch
we may not be able 70 say the same thing
several seasons hence. Though rather ten
uous bucolic treacle. this comedy, the play
wright has told his tale in a fairly straight
line. He has resisted the temptations Of
pie and cider and he has given us at least
Rs %s. sse in ts %
plieity johnson. After following the YER
miculAr wriggling curves OF Mr.. Daviss
new play, Lovers Lane seems a shining
masterpiece In It's economy Of motives and
skilfully contrived atmosphere.
II is at the Murray Hill this week, and In
played well. This Is not said with msre
West Side condescension, but really meant.
We will not forget soon Mile James as the
impish girl; yet credit must be given TO
Frances Starr for a very interesting and
creditable performance. She is much
Larger and heavier than Miss James. and
her solid underpinnings attenuate the
Illusion Of early girlhood-especially when
abe is up the tree; but she creates illusion
a. a whole by her general 'cussedness'
and spontaneity. The impersonation Of
Moffy. the minister's housekeeper, by Isabel
O'Madigan is one Of the best things In this
revival.
the spinster.. Naturally enough the Rep.
Thomas Singleton is Mr.. Edwin Holt, who
was hardly devil Of fellow In Marie
Corelh's satanic spasm last week, and is
manly, bland and pleasing TO gaze upon.
Indeed, nature has set her theological seal
upon the features Of Mr.. Holt. As an epis-
copal clergyman he is Of the real brand
s rss wGns,' c Ss Roman be %n asSoS a.
dare not say. His profile is unctnously
episcopal, his full face Catholic. This Is
rare assemblage Of facial gifts.
Laura hSpe Crsws, sSn,d.r FRANCES i sisySens hSaet
Mcwsde. q. II. Trader. Z. 4. woof. 6. a.
Hutchinson and the rest made an excel
lent ensemble. The children romped, the
church bell rang and oh. what merry time
had we!
We have wondered often why play
wrights deem It necessary to put In the
public p.llory to be nocked and laughed
At two very old people. After all, is It
not species Of unrefined cruekyf Mr..
a. he has tact, dramatic and otherwise.
TDssr. 1 ScoGS Tneis T Bia, sn1s and that deaf AM
Me'issn to prove both pathetic and humor-
laughter GSs n'a shas Sns s. o Why set sS. ssptus.
genarians upon each others trail1 There
Is something macabys, groteeqne. shudder-
Ing in the spectacle o. ancient ardors. or
to totter about. They are not pretty:
Their sentiment, particularly the gift OF
the slippers, while It Ia not anliss. Is always
jeered at by an audience. Again we pro-
test against the introduction of freakish
and erotio old people In decent comedy.
1t is irreverent. and 1t is in bad taste.
Nevertheless we cannot sympathize with
those thin-skinned Celts who object to
whiskered Irishmen on the boards.
Tho solution Of this thrilling problem is
simple-stay away from faroes that give
offence. Yesterday morning. for example,
Mr.. Bert williams Of the well-known Arm
of funmakers, Williams q Walker-now
manufacturing that commodity at the
New York-received q solemn deputation
from the far West Side Of Fifty-third street
and the vicinage There were several
white ties worn by the well-fed members
Of the delegation; Mr.. Williams Is q very
solemn gentleman himself and happened
to have on broadcloth. He was rehearsing
the 3o0th verse (newl Of the Jonah Man.
and while he was extremely polite slight
irritation lurked In his utterance. He
know what the others were after.
Nov, gentlemen, I'd like to do what
YOU ask, but It's impossible he firmly
told the committee. CONSERVATION was
visible.
Then, Mr.. Williams. sab. are we to un-
derstand, sab. that you refuse our plain
requesti' was the question put by ve[y
hinges OF sheol.
do, / do, Mistah Simpson A sup
pressed murInur. Mr. Williams told the
conductor Of the orchestra TO 60 ahead:
for the 1900 .00Oth time. The deputa-
tion sorrowfully filed out. The comedian
And not a razor in the crowd he con-
what do you suppose they wished9 They
didn't say so right out, for 1t wasn't neces-
sary. I've had 30 many threatening
"Tbose 'cullud gents. wanted me to wear
my own face in our piece. You see. I'm
half yellow and make up black. Well,
inst now there's dreadful strong feeling
AGAINST light Cciorsd man s 1hp pre,sndhn1s e1s h1ssc to
have formed league, They call themselves
Don't laugh! They mean Ham not ham
sandwich whereyer Ns they & SEE hssknwhsH maIs..G
You've got to dodge trouble, Now, my
partner, George Walker, he's all risht-,he
never makes up. Very well, MI Cook,
won't keep the orchestra waiting any
loneerl Yes-please. In G minor, please
my pipes are q bit husky to-day-For
I'm a Jonah M-a-a-a-n-n!'
Great heavens Where will this thing
end? How about the hitherto humble
beathen Chineee2 He may not be . citi'
zsn, but he can claim exemption from
caricature. And the worst, the most
evilly caricatured people Of all-the Jews
Has no one a good word for the poor push.
cart pedler and potential millionaire OF
the East Side? Wlll no antique association
arise in all It's might and smite the mocker, n
Yiddish jargoni Why should the Hiber:
nian alone prove sensitive on the subject
in farce-comedy. while the picture of a
Frenchmen Is forever stamped in the popuu'
lar imagination as a jumping jack. a sub
Sister on frogs legs. an hysterioal lunstie
generally. John Bull Brother Jonathan
Pat, key, Yon Yonson, NJ. Alphonse, Dagc
pete. Yeliow-Belly, the Chink and Dutchy
are types that will remain on the stage
- And whara'a tha ha