The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-06
JOHN DREW In A GOOD PART.
"THE DUKE OF KILLIkRiNkIE"
rs 4 SUCCESS.
Robert Via rshail's Farcical Comedy Pro-
duced AZ the Empire Theatre and
Loudly Appla uded-GOOd Wit and Tn
usually Clever Dialogue I'm the Play.

usually Clever Dialogue In the Play
John Drew reappeared at the' Empire
Theatre last night, acting in Robert Mar
shall s farcical comedy entitled "The Duke
of Kilikrankie." The play was seen for
the first time in this city and it achieved
an instantaneous and satisfying success.
The audience applauded loudly and long
after the delightful second act and did Its
best to call the principal actor TO the foot
lights to make one OF those hrst nlght
speeches which mean SO little. Mr.. Drew
had the good taste to defer his personal
remarks till the end OF the play, when he
addressed his friends. in few well chosen
words of thanks.
The applause at the conclusion of the
performance was enthusiastic and showed
that the audience was untired and still
had an appetite for the light and cheer
ing humor of the entertainment. Through
out the course Of the farce there was an
abundance Of laughter, and the bright and
spirited dialogue was caught up with Zest
and understanding. IT was a comfort to
some who have recently been forced to
listen to the outlaws with which the inane
chatter of so-called comic operas is received
to find that there is yet a public in New
York with taste for real wit and polite
humor.
Mr.. Marshalls play is trihe light as
air, but quite as fresh and invigoratlng
as a northwest wind after sultry day OF
thundershowers The story is by no means
probable, but why should farcical stories
be so? While the thing is in course OF
representation before the audience 1t car
ries something of pruisembldnce with 1t.
1t has a delicate, satirical atmosphere Oh
deluson and some approaches to real L.
fusion. 1t touches gently upon some loloies
of the adorable sex, and it discloses some
weakness of the adoring pursuers ot mat
sex.
The Duke of KilHkrdnkie loves lovable
girl, who will have none of him. She re-
fuses him time and again At last, tanhteo
by her with his lack of daring, he plans a
desperate method of bringing her to terms.
He decovs her TO one of his Scotch castles,
together with a chaperon and the chap-
erons adorer, and there he holds her
prisoner. The terms of release are con-
sent to marriage with him. or course she
is at first induced to appear to consent, out
he sees through that pretext and knows
how to meet it.
Then in the end she really learns to love
| him and when he turns her out of the castle,
| setting her free she refuses to go. IL does
| not seem to promise much, but it is all told
| with such a pretty manner, with such a
| charming flow of clever dialogue dialogue
| as pointed and as keen in it's wit as that oil
! LADY Windermere's Fan"-with slch neat
| ness OF situation and such admirable sketch
| ing of character that the audience when
would not enjoy it would have 10 be an
| audience of numskulls indeed.
The play is almost entirely in the hands OF
| four actors representing the luke, M
Weiby, the adorer OF the chaperon Mrs
| MulhoHdnd, the chaperon, and Lady Hen-
riettu Addison The few other characters
are accessories of the slightest importance,
| Fortunately the four leading parts were
in competent hands. Mr.. Drew in the
Duke Of kiilikrdnkie has most congenia
| role. " :,
It brings out in high relief all his polish
| of style. his easy assumption of the manner
| of high life, his delicate touch in comedy
| and his certain yet not overdrawn ex
| preston OF sentiment. His personal tri-
umph was the most cheering feature OF the
| evening: for all his friends and admirers
| which means the entire town, regretted MS
want OF a suitable role last season.
Fanny Brough as Mrs. Muiholidnd made
one of the emphatic hits Of her successful
career Her art never disclosed fullel
measure of resource. n swifter flight OF IN
| fictitious gayety. than il did last night
| Ferdinand Gottschalk was simply ad
mirable as |Veiby, and Miss Dale was frank
| sincere and winsome as Lazy Henr'ehd
| Altogether the piece was admirably sfagee
and acted. 1t was success.