The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-04
Mrs. Langtry I'm "Mrs. behring's
Divorce"

Divorce"
It may not be saying great deal to an
nounce that Mrs. Langtry's new play Is
much superior to the one in which she ap-
peared before an Indianapolis audience last
season, but still such is a fact and it should
be recorded. However, 1t is hard TO believe
that New York theater-goers considered
Mrs behring's Divorce" an especially
noteworthy comedy, although there is no
doubt that the Jersey Lily's" new play
met with enough popularity in the metrop-
oils to cause 1t TO prove an excellent draw
ing card during her season at the Savoy.
The English actress, with her company or
London players, opened an engagement OF
two nights at English's last evening, and
able entertainment. The play and its in
terpreters did not score a triumph, but
succeeded In winning favor from the audi
ence, that was none too large and which
was inclined to be coldly critical. 1t may
be mentioned here that Indianapolis rarely
forsets a disappointment, and Mrs. Lang.
the most pronounced disappointments OF
last season.
Percy Fendalrs new comedy is at least
worth seeing, If THE Crossways'' was not.
Had Mr.. Fendall given his subject more
careful treatment he might have turned
out very excellent Play vd for the ;s central ood
one. and one that offers many opportuni-
ties for amusing situations and serious emo
tional passages, too. The main trouble
with the play is that it does not hang to-
gether as 1T should The story in itself is
consistent, but some Of the characters are
not Well-bred people In the highest society
do not do the things that Mr.. Fendall al
lows his characters to do, and. although
the play is thoroughly English in every
respect, good breeding Is much the same
the world over, and American playgoers
will rightly judge the piece by their own
standards.
sun. there are many clever lines in the
H. or1d ha ~ Tnr re
Langtry suits her better than any other
part in which she has been seen here. while
supplying her with many chances to wear
beautiful gowns-an all-important feature
In q Langtry performance
The leading role In the comedy is that
OF Mrs Deering. a popular divorcee in Lon
don society, who does not realize that she
Is very much In love with her husband,
Captain Deering, until she learns that he
Is about to be married to another woman.
An interesting anC amusing situation arises
when the other woman-an intellectual
beiress named Susannah Verner-comes to
call upon Mrs. Deering for the purpose of
learning everything about Captain Deer
tngs private character, just house.
keeper might make an investigation con-
corning a butler. Miss Werner is extremely
practical and businesslike; Mrs. Deering is
nervous and emotional, but still alive to
the the absurdity of the situation. She
which he hardly deserves, and when he
comes to thank her, laughs the matter OF
and informs him that she, in her turn, is
to marry a youthful sutton named Jimmy
Foster Several complications arise. the
most nportant of which is a quarrel that
takes place between Mrs. Deering and her
new admirers quarrel in the presence of
other people in London drawing room,
which Is one OF the weaknesses, before
mentioned, in the construction OF the COM
edy Is IL likely that such a scene as this
would be enacted by the well-bred folk Of
London's social world?
"trying-on" room of fashionable ladies'
tailor Who said that this piece wasn't
written 10 order for Mrs. Langtry? OF
And while Mrs. Deering is trying on in
comes Jimmy Foster, who has no business
there, and the half-dressed society woman
takes refuge behind a screen Foster, who
Is vulgar brute. as well as hopeless
ass takes advantage OF the situation for.
having Mrs. Deering where she is obliged
TO listen to him. he begs her TO make up
with him and become his wife, she had
promised that she would do She Is dis
gusted with him and refuses. Then in
comes Captain Deering. 1t seems that all
OF the swells OF London make this trying
on room a meeting place. When the ele-
giant captain beholds his ex-wife in stun
ming ball gown. the spectacle is too much
for him. He asks ner TO remarry him. and,
Of course. she consents. And so the play
ends Langtry play should end--with
a beautiful gown holding the center of the
stage Mr.. Fendall should have called his
comedy .sRecaptured by a Dress" instead
OF Mrs. behring's Divorce.
There are those who hold that Mrs. Lang
try cannot act at all. but this is too sweep
ing a criticism and is unjust. She was con-
yincing enough in her part last night-a
part that was happily within her powers.
Hers was not a great performances. but it
was a well-balanced one. She was the
whimsical. cultured woman that the play
wright intended her to be. Frederick
Truesdell as Captain Deering is too self
conscious 10 give an entirely satisfactory
portrayal OF his part, but Harold Mead, in
me role OF the brainless Jimmy Foster. sue
ceeds in making his role stand out promi-
nently as the most amusing feature OF the
entire play He is. in fact, the hit OF the
performance, being very funny from begin
ming to end. And those who have come in
contact with 'real Eglish swells" recognize
the fact that the character Is not so much
exaggerated might be supposed. Stephen
French has only one opportunity In the
character or Lord Granpier for effective
acting but his work In this one important
scene IL fun or dry humor that Is delight