The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-05
THE MAN or THE no UR."
George R~roadhurst's New Play Of Psliuc
Has some Lively scenes.

George ~Rroadhurst's New Play OF Politics
Has some Lively scenes
Il is a wide departure that George Broad
hurst has made In The Man Of the Hour,
produced Tor the first time in New York
last night at the Savoy Theatre, from the
day Of why Smith Left Home" and The
Wrong Mr.. Wright" The reception that
was given the piece by the audience indi-
Gated that he is quite as happy in this efor
as 10 soms of his early comedy successes.
Tho Nan OF the Hour is a play OF poll
tics and the characters around whom the
chief interest centres. and which Mr.. Broad
hurst has been most successful in drawing,
are politicians.
The action, it is stated, occurs in any
one Of these cities will readily identify the
various people of the play.
The hero, Alpyr Bennett. Is a young man
of wealth and breeding, who Is spurred to
political ambition by his love for Dallas
Vain wright. the niece OF Charles VAIN
wright, a capitalist and street railway mag
nate. he Is elected Mayor through the in
fuence of the political boss, Richard Hdrrt-
gan, who intends to use him as an inStru-
ment In pulling through a franchise bought
and paid for by WdinVright. Once elected,
BeRneurs eyes are opened TO the real pur,
pose OF mis- hackers, and he makes a stand
against them.
In this he is assisted by james Pheldn,
the rival boss. This political battle, waged
with all the weapons OF modern politics,
affords material for four spirited acts, and
it's happy ending witnesses the triumph OF
honesty and OF Benefits low affair ,
The play as given last night dragged
a little in spots. Particularly in the first
and third acts will il need to be pruned.
Both were somewh hat talky and lacking
in the action and vim of the others. The
second act, u the MAYORS office, was the
best of the four and rave the leading
characters their fullest opportunities.
As AIryn Bennett, Frederick Perry made
a very favorable impression His -por-
travail of the happy c~arefree boy OF the
first act Was easy and graceful, while as the
forceful. determined man OF the later acts,
he shove himself convincing and finished.
Mr.. Broadhurst has added greatly to the
value OF his two political bosses by the
strong contrast between them. Phetdn,
played admirably by George Fawcett,
ruled his people with turkeys in winter,
picnics in summer and . good word all the
time. HdrTigdn, well acted and exceedingly
we'll made up, by Frank NacVicars, kept
his people in line with a olub-snd en-
forced OBEDIENCE by his. scowl: Douglas
Fairbanks, as Perry Wainwright, had the
audience with him from the time his smile
first appeared. This smile and the several
new slang phrases that he turned made
him q faVorIte.
Charles Wanna right. a somewhat coloriess
part, was played by Mr.. James Wilson,
and Scott Gibbs. his business partner and
Benefits rival in love, ny Mr.. John Flood.
The women's parts were comparatively
inconspicuous and offered small opportuni-
ties. Miss Lillian Kemhle was pretty as
Dallas " ain U rioht and wore charming
gowns. Miss Diva Marolda played Gym
tia Gdrrisn, and Miss Harriet Otis Dellen-
baugh. Mrs. Bennett.