The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-05

OF course ship Is seen and rescue
ensues Before the curtain falls Mr.. Crich-
ton has dropped the Napoleonic airs and
has become the obsequious servant who
washes his hands in invisible soap. The
fourth act is not enlivening, though it con-
taius some laughs. Lord Ernest has pub
lished book about their sojourn in strange
land and, naturally enough, takes to him
self all the credit Of the affair. The bucket
in which his head was dipped is clumsi!y in
troduced to make point. The scene is
devoted to these reminiscent points the
sort of tricks that delight the actors soul
but artificial and duh in the extreme. Lddy
Ndry goes back TO her former young man,
a stupid lord, Mr.. Crichton leaves with
T,peeny and all ends AZ it should
| fail TO see the overwhelming arraign-
ment of society In this farccal comedy. II
il clever and amusing why ask more?
Whether its social satire will be ap
preciated in America outside Of the large
cities no one NAV say but unless greatly
mistake the temper of a New York audience.
l think "The Admirable Mr. Crichton"
will have run IN the metropolis;
Irene Nanbrugh really has nothing to
employ her comedy gifts as Lddy Mary.
The part is nullity, If compared to Sophie
In the wonderful Gay Lord Quex." ! say
wonderful" for IL compared to Pinero's
solidly erected dramatic edifices this Barrie
fantasy colapses at the first breath of
criticism. And he has not forgotten
Pinero's "Amazons," in the third act OF
"Crichton" The reminiscence is not to be
overlooked. The real hit of the play, after
Mr. Irvings, is that Of Miss Pattie Browne
az the big-hearted, vulgar Tpeeny The
production, Inade by Dion Boucicault, IL
picturesquely convincing.
The success of "The Light That Failed"
at the new theatre il one of the occurrences
n critic has no warrant to investigate. Let
the fact be recorded in a chastened spirit,
for there ia nothing in the piece that war
rants enthusiasm nor yet violent deprecia-
ton. 1t is plain, everyday common
place. and with Forbes Robertson and
Gertrude Elliott in the cast II il drawing
big houses and driving a big trade IN
tear-bedewed pocket handkerchiefs. Kip
ling's novel from which this piece, is
adapted is probably the stupdest
of barrooms and barracks The original
ending being true to the writer's scheme,
the book was a failure Making IT abso-
utely untrue 90 the facts of his characters.
the altered ending sold the copies that
stood in dusty dismay on the shelves OF
the booksellers. The play, drama'ized
by woman whose pen name III George
Fleming, adheres to the later happy end
ing" ,- ,.
| shall not pretend to analyze the mo-
tives Of such an unreal picture of life, as
unreal as the picture that Dick Helder
points. If the play, had been signed by
Marie Corelli | could understand it, yapi,d
pathos and absurd situations. But Rud-
yard Kipling---!
The acting carries it through. Forbes
Robertson IL greater elocutonist than
an actor, but he has an attractive per
sonality and he speaks beautifully. Poeti-
cally considered, his was the most engaging
Hamlet have seen since Edwin Booths,
The part Of Kiplings war artist who loses
his sight and the girl he loves IL an easy
task for this supple actor. Gertrude Ell
lot, his wife. has nothing to do as the selfish
Maisie miraculously transformed into an
angel Of goodness in the space OF one min