New-York tribune., 1903-03-31
THE DRAMA.
Neu Play at the Sauoy Theatre.
Mr., HENRY MILLER.

In a play called The Tanning Of Helen" made
by Mr.. Richard Harding Davis and produced last
night at the Savoy Theatre, with Mr.. Henry Miller
In its principal part exposition is pleasantly ef-
fected Of an episode IN the experience OF two
lovers who temporarily alienated BY idle
pique but ultimately reconciled by the natural
drift Of affection. The girl. Helen suddenly MADE
rich by inheritance, an1 introduced into bonoon
society, Is attracted by titled suitor, while the
youth, who loves her and who Is wounded by her
cool behavior wisely affects an indifference toaC
he does not feel, devotes himself to play that he
has written and to actress who is to appear IN
It, and by arousing his sweetheart's Jealousy IN
spires her contrtion. This fable Is, EanneStIy'
simple and perhaps the observer OF Its movement
will think of Cardinal Richelieus expressive Ines
IN Bulwer's great comedy
Sprung from its very light, and heraloIns
A noon Of happy summer
Through these rnists the action proceeds, and
sunshine follows tbs rain. 1t is not SO much on
story, however, treatment Of inctdents' tnat
the playwright has relied for the requisite Ora
matte effect Each Of the three acts IS an expan-
sion OF tribes all tending to climax
and in this respect, deftly fashioned But
the general effect is that Of good intention genial
feeling, and literary de1tertty. not Of lna
The fabric lacks both sincerity and substance.
The opening is inexpert, because slow and difuse
The baiIiH is needless, and nothing comes OF the
emphasis laid upon the playwTight's poverty. Tho
satire on the music hall amateur has the effect OF
the opening Of the second act is distorted, e1trav-
agant and rather clumsily farcIcal.-wtth dnge,
likewise Of American '-smartness but 1t = rough
II ludcrous. The serious situations mostly old
ones, and they somewhat forced In actual HE
young people who love each other understand by
intuition, and not BY explanation, and therefore
the pivotal postures ir this piece -lade dependable
on a mistake at variance wit probability: E.e
misunderstanding Of the lovers. toward the end OF
the second act, for example, though neatly con-
trtved and ernbenshed with clever equivoke. could
not have continued long, while their cross-purposes
at their meeting IN the third set, would have oeen
harrnonized at their first glance
There would be few plays. though without allow
ance for fancy and for tha license Of invention
The mechanism Of this IS generally neat; the
spirit Of it is pure; the persons in it. while not dis
ttncttve. are well Disseminated. and the dialogue
aside from venerable chestnuts, such as H =
Byron's lest about cutting Cavendish,' and SOL
ernn SMILES such the reference to the Bourbons'
which Is decrepit with age and labor.-ts fluent
and sprightly. The piece Is carefully set and the
characters of Marion Cavendish, by Miss jessie
Miliward; Helen Cabot, by Miss Grace Eliston;
Captain Herbert, by Morton Selten. and Sir Charles
WImpole by John Flood. faithfully. brilliantly
and effectively acted. Mr.. Miller tmpersonated
the seif-contaned and resolute lover. by whom the
volatile and errant Helen is tanned The supreme
attribute Of this character is ardent affection
found under calm exterior. Mr.. Miller possesses
the outward show Of composure, and possibly there
are depths Of emotion IN his professional anatomy
that have not yet been revealed He vas. as on
many former occasions, at his best in passages or
earnest and gentle gravity. The audience showed
its pleasure in frequent applause and Mr. DAVIS
made q graceful, modest speech. expressive of his
gratitude to Mr. Miller, the company Cwho. indeed
saved the play). and the appreciative public
W. ".