The sun., 1905-09-05
IOHN DREW IN A THOMAS PLAY
SENTIMENTAL COMEDY
on THE QUIET.

Two Acts Mr. Drew Lanes His Arni--
An 10 the Good-Then the Author
Ta,ks II On-The Capable Com.
many IL Headed by Margaret Dale.
Tho dramatic season had it's official OPEN
NJ last nj ght with John Drew at the Empire
,houpb thcre may have b,en shows IN
,,her thaaters. In the first place, the
,ayers we're out In full force to acclaim
hair new president as the peerless actor
"a In answer 10 their acclairns, Mr..
new said that Mr.. Thomas. who had taken
ia call, had also taken his speech-a monu-
oent to Mr.. Drew's shrinking modeety,
nr that speech was all about Mr.. Thomas,
.,sorathy and the wallpaper Of the third
Al, Also ran the entire bunch OF habitual
md incurabe first nighters.
Yesterday afternoon there may have been
ome doubts as to Mr.. Thomas's ability
write thorough Drew part. In the
net he has been at his best In
he racy vernacular and the down.
ieht, outspoken character OF Greater
America His heavy swells have savored
omewhat of the types Of tho tonsorial
omc papers, redolent Of shampoo and
bomade,
Bt from the vcry start last night there
ras no doubt that he had taken the trick.
the title role of De Ldncey he has made
n. Drew a rart that fits him like the RI
linz breeches and pink Of his second act
ysture. 1t is not perhaps an original crca-
i'm Of moment. There have been world
rom, aging. iding heroes before this par
kc,lar Agamemnon; and they have hidden
he light Of generous love for the leading
6dy beneath light and unruffled exterior
I self-sacrifce.
But De Lancep Ia no rastiche. His lam
nd Long Island hunt clubs. Mr.. Thomas
as conquered a new land.
In the net and witty speech which Mr.
brew claimed, Mr.. Thomas admitted thn I
IA story antedate1 the New York His
brical Society. 1t did, and was slender
/ that, But for two, cots 1t was told With
lahtness ind freshness Ct touch cl. which
There were no uncomfortable bursts Of
auphter. such as "Tho Earl OF Pawtucket"
nf aThe Other Girl" evoked. And never
las the author held further aloof from the
uelodran,ntic and the strenuous. The
BOX header from his horse oil stage, and
blayed the act with a broken collarb one
nd an arm out OF business.
In its easy simplicity the play bears
huch the Same relation to MIR. Thomas's
Ether comedies that alabama" bears
IN the quiet. But the wit and vivacity,
be sheer jet OF comic spirits, aided by Mr..
brews invaluable art and charm, made It
Vi to the good.
In the third act complications arose-not
" action or OF situation. hut OF endless
pnversation. Mr.. Thomas's polite comedy
ecame as polite as an afternoon tea. In
mother moment Mr.. Drew's arm, already
sling, would have been talked of at the
)htuder.
But at the critical moment carefully laid
rain Of comedy exploded. and the curtain
ang down to the general relief upon a peal
4 laughter. In the hands Of less capable
ruld be in question, and on the road be-
tond lying for. But With Mr.. Drew at the
lem Il must be conceded gratifying
uccess.
Mr.. Drew has, In fact, never been seen to
ptter advantage, and az he leads our
much. He Is In fact to New York what
IA % %seeompiished maTsof the world add .
isht comedian Of varied and accurate tech
lque, reinforced by broad and manly
ense Of character and fun. Honor and
Rivalry lurk beneath an exterior OF way.
ise banter and q cynicism 80 beautiful
In 10 the be pa pas he s has rsed for his veh,cl,s
hainly upon the London playwrtghts..
hey do these things better in England.
means much to him and to US that he has
last found a native playwright who can
AXE his histrionic measure.
His support was well drilled and credit
BILE. though scarcely brilliant. Miss
Margaret Dale was handicapped by a part
Fhlch while clearly outlined and on tho
khole convincing was in the maip far from
Fas at her best in the first act, where though
ngaged to De Lanceys friend she comes
his bachelor rooms, and In the character
y an old comrade land much younger
tomsn) oonfesses in spite Of herself that
he man she loves is De LaYcey. 1t Ii not
10 easy situation to carry on on the stage,
ut i Is truly and sympathetically written,
md Miss Dale acted 1t In right womanly
pirit.
The novelty Of the evening was the work
Y Mics Doris Keene, as the ga rdener's
laughter Ia Cinderella Of alternate ashes
md splendor). who falls heir to the affections
the heroine's discarded fance. On her
Sargent School matinee, as the heroine Of
tB. Wharton's Twilight OF the Gods,
was evident that Miss Keene possessed
stage presence Of unusual vividneee and
harm, and was in addition an artist Of
(otentiAl flnesse and authority. Last night,
or the flst time she appeared professionally
an adequate role.
In the second act she PLAYED hes love
rene with the wavering fiance With much
harm and lightly poignant truth. In the
hird act, where she appears In her alter
latve character OF q woman OF society, she
Afried OF passage Of verbal and senu-
Rental eparring with just the requisite touch
mingled levity and feeling. Both scenee
bowed Mr.. Thomas's vein Of sentiment
md wit at better than his previous best,
Ind both were adequately rendered. Here
an actress who will 60 far.
Mr.. Walter Hale was creditable IN the
sther thankless role Of the wAverins
over Mr.. Guy Nichols played the
mail part OF De Lancev's inebriate
Ind Hibernian valet with rough hu-
norous effect. The three sets were
arefuly studied and far more atmospheric
han productions have often been at the
Empire.
NEW PROCTOR STOCK COMPANY.