New-York tribune., 1903-01-14
THE DRAMA.
II Nezo Play at the Empire.
THE UNFoRESEEN."

The re-entrance of Mr.. Richman, Miss Angn and
their associates of the Empire Stock Company.
made last night in Robert Marshalrs comedy of
The Unforeseen was welcomed by brilliant
audience the Empire Theatre. and the play,
which is ingenious In construction and
monty vital with tender and sympathetic feeling
was heartily enjoyed. Every attentive observer of
human affairs has. of course. noticed that life is
full of surprises, and especially that the most
expected events occur in matters OF love and mar
riage.
This is the singular aspect of experience that
has been chosen for illustration the comedy
Of The Unforeseen" An impetuous girl, Margaret
Fielding leaves her friends at Cannes. and TO
Paris, meet and marry a gay youth. Henry
Traquar- who has led wild life, but is earnestly
bent on reform. In Paris these fugitives casually
meet with acquaintance. at least of of them,
Captain Richard Haynes and the Rev. Walter Max
well, and Traquair introduces Miss Fielding to Cap
tain Haynes his wife. The purposed marriage is
prevented by Traquars loss of fortune. consequent
or the failure Of London bank. and Miss Fielding
proceeds to England Three years later Miss Field
ing becomes the wife Of Maxwell. who. being par
tally blind. has not recognized her Traquair's
companion. at the time Of the encounter in Paris
Captain Haynes. however. arriving S a visitor at
Maxwells English vcarage. does recognize her, and
presently Maxwell himself, cured of his blindness.
is Mortified to perceive her identity with the
whom he recollects Traquair's wife, and whom
he supposes have been that profigate's mistress
This posture OF circumstances affords the chief
It's action moves, and with the happy relief OF
which,-accomplished by Captain Haynes and by
letter left by Traquair who has committed suicide
its story concludes. Far improbable incidents
than most of these are, doubtless. within the
knowledge of many old spectator Of the great
and general social corne<y upon which the curtain
never falls
The merit of the comedy which is extraordinary.
does not consist much in the plot in the
authors management of ii. This is superbly skill
he has here is ir1Dr Ohiab
no man, unless insane with selfishness depraved
by dissipation, would act, the beginning, as
TraQuair is made tc toward The woman whom
ne has persuaded TO runaway marriage; for as
as he hears that he has lost his money he
repudiates and repeIs her. There is a hint of his
insanity in Of his talk, and possibly that is
intended TO explain him. Once the basis is laid,
however. the story thenceforth is told with de-
lcious 1uency Of appropriate action and of inter
blended gravity and humor and in a thoroughly de-
lightful style The second act of the play. with
its episodes Of contrasted courtship-the young
and ardent and the elderly and amUsing-win be
cherished and remembered among the most pure,
genuine, delicate, and lovely bits of comedy that
graced the stage since Robertson set the noble
example with Caste" In the third act the piece
rises emotional force, and the last the inter-
est is tense to be almost painful. The stage
setting is beautiful The OF the production
is beyond ali doubt For Miss Anglin the night was
Of absolute triumph. Her sustainment of self
possession in e vein of bright raillery when the
secret seems about TO be spoken, splendid with
true power. and it moved her audience to heartfelt
applause. Charles Richman acted the clergyman.
in mood Of gentle. playful, half-pensive
composure and resignation. for the most part
rising a fine altitude Of passionate feeling
the climax. Fritz Williams gave perfect per-
fornance Of nischievous lad. who chaffs his con-
ventionaI father.-the sire being made admirably
humorous and quantity characteristic by Mr.
Crcnlpton- There is not dull moment in the
comedy. The heroine in actual life, might not
have cared TO keep her innocent secret, but il is
futile question things that give blameless pleas