The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-04-17

the worlds attitude toward a mans wrong
doing and woman's wrongdoing. The four
acts OF the piece are filled with bright cpl
grams and witty speeches, and there are
several well-constructed dramatic scenes
which give healthful stimulus to the work
as whole and serve to point a moral les
son. The finales of the acts are especially
novel: but, come to think OF it. Mrs. Ryley
has way Of building all of her plays in
very original style If not always with a
very original plot; The play IS as z,,, Well
as IL IL had been written expressly for
them, which IL was not. 1t embodies the
same quality that was so much enjoyed IN
American Citfzen"-there is sentiment. pal
plating heart throbs, humor and pathos.
Mr.. Goodwin is capitally fitted TO the part
of the novelist Arbuthnot, many of the
lines allotted him being particularly droll-
and who is more droll than Nat Goodwin
while the serious scenes are of the kind
that he knows how to handle better than
any other comedian before the American
public. He gives utterance to the lighter
passages with an Unborn appreciation OF the
true humorfst. thus accentuating the fun In
them UNNECESSARILY. 1t has often been
remarked that women writer's lack humor.
This criticism can never justly be made or
Mrs. Ryley's work. for she has given the
character of ArbCtGnot some delicious little
sayings that are fairly sparkling with wit,
and Mr.. Goodwin brings out every point in
his own irresistible way.
Miss Elliott, as usual, was fair to look
upon last night in the role of Sally Sartoris,
the American girl with whom the novelist
falls in love- and was charming at all times
during the performance. The character
does not afford her many opportunities for
a display of her talents, but she made the
most of every scene in which she appeared
and acted in the womanly and sympathetic
fashion that has made her one of the most
popular American actresses, while she wore
some beautiful gowns with most becoming
grace.
The best work of the supporting company
was done by J. r. Crawford as the ex-
convict, Joseph Primer, and Miss Julia
Dean as Florence Arbuthnot. Mr.. Crawford
had but two scenes in the play, but his
acting in both was very forceful his de-
nunciation of the sin which supplies the
plays motive being exceptionally fine. Miss
first two acts. but her emotional acting In
the latter half of the drama was admirable
Fred Tilden was cast for the unsympathetlc
role of Arnold Winnifrith and gave satis-
factory portrayal OF this very disagreeable
part. Neil OBrien had but little TO DO In
the character Of Colonel Sartorls, but old
that little very well, while j. Darlington
Yates played q brainless young Engnsn
nobleman as IL born for the part-which
Miss May Martyr had small but dlHcuit
role In the character of Mary Pinner. ana
she did not act IL very convincingly. ap-
pearing to be too self-conscious most or the
time Miss Suzanne Perry was equal to all
requirements in the part of buxom Eng
lish woman of fashion who was only TOO
happy to believe the worst Of everybody
evening, and 1T would seem that the en-
gagement-last nights performance was
the only one for Indianapolis-could easily
have been prolonged.