New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-04
LONDON DRAMA.
Mr.. Cyril Maude an Light Comedy.


The comic spirit has no more versatile ana
whimsical representative than Mr.. Cyril Mauoe-
Essentially an eccentric comedian of marked
individuality of style. he has broadened ms arr
by a series of character studies so dissniar
that nannertsnls have been kept down anu
every new performance has the effect OF a Iresh
revelation Of adaptabity. No other Lohoon
comedian acts with finer variety or enters iio''
completely into drol representations anu coii
seouently he has a special audience OF ms own
which has regretted the dissolution of ms part
nership with Mr. Harrison ar the ia! net
and welcomed HIS temperance at the haiiusoii.e
Waldorf Theatre. Two trifes he has given i''
admirers hut with what charm and mischievous
humor he has invested them! one is d DioA
ensesque skit at Bunbledon. adapted from
"T,Asile de Mutt" OF NJ Maurey. by Mr.. Edward
Knoblauch II is called The Partikler Fet'
and like some of the earlier scenes in "OllNer
Twist is set for the superintendent office OF
a woTkhouse.
A casual ward is under the charge Of shall
low trickster named Nichols, who has made
pet OF a serviceable tool. Skilly, tramp. Tut
on applying for a nights lodging, is bulhed oy
the pet and treated criminal by the su-
perlntendent until suspicious are excited that
he may be a journalist in disguise bent upon
writing down the management. The official
manner liiS llN-A4
the bath, and the astonished casual is provided
with clothes tobacco and soup and enabled to
20 TO bed in high spirits after asking skilly
with a wink, WHO'S the partikler net now?'
Mr. Maude. with remarkable makeup, is the
most grotesque and realistic tramp imaginable,
and woful picture Of squalor and degradation
is lighted up with quips and drollery.
After this amusing curtain-raiser comes d
comedy IN three acts, equally slight in construc-
ton and theme and even more mirthfuI and
whimsical The Superior Miss Pelender," by
Nj Sidney Bowkett IS a romance OF middle life,
with the topsyturvydom involved by the substi-
tuition of a prim. opinionated and masterful
daughter for the domineering stage father. A
rich old bachelor. fond OF aquatics and the pos
SCISSOR Of a steam launch as well as riverside
country house, has fallen in love with an at
tractive and fascinating widow-as Miss Wini-
fred Emery takes the part the ad5ectiVes are
fully 1ustifed-and the only cause Of embarrass-
nent is doubt respecting the consent of Mrs
Pellenders children OF these there are four
equally unrnanageable and spoiled: a greedy,
ulischievous boy; younger romp and an elder
invalid with a selfish pretence Of being i'll and
needing all the pillows and luXuries; and the
blind daughter. 'her fathers own" who at sew
enteen is the dictator OF the family.
Such action as there is in comedy suggest
ing Sweet Nancy" as dramatized by Robert
Buchanan from one OF Rhoda Broughton's books
and also Mr.. Barrie's "Alice Sit-by- Fire."
centres upon the breaking of the news of the
engagement TO this overindulged family. and
especially 20 the stern martinez who rules it
With a strong hand. In the first and second
acts neither the bachelor the widow can
command the courage required for making the
announcement to the superior young person, and
when in the final scene they support each other
and advance TO the attack she misunderstands
their hesitating words. supposes that the sutton
has come after her with the mothers consent
and scornfully refuses him Forecasting more
trouble when the indignant girl finds out her
mistake, the middle aged suitors decide upon an
Immediate elopement in the steam launch, and
IF they go with swish Of steam and toot Of
whistle. while the romping children rushing
in 10 read their mothers hurried letter Of ex-
PLANTATION.
So trivial a story would hardly hold the IN
terest Of an audience unless there were acting
81 singular charm. vivacity and refinement OF
humor Miss Emery by a hundred little delicate
touches denoted the helpfulness of the doting
affectionate mother in the presence Of her head
strong daughter and spoiled children and the
Irresistible destinations Of lovable widow
who could not be convinced that the possibili-
ties OF romance were exhausted in middle life
bachelor. was as delightful in his negotiati tons
with the unnanageable daughter as in his court
ship OF the mother and by his quiet delicate
humor excited merriment at every turn "A
lovahle ass is his description OF the part,
but II does scant justice TO a performance as
finished in its way Mr.. John Hare's in "A Pair
OF spectaoles"-perhsps the best example Of
comedy acting now 10 be witnessed on the Eng
fish stage.
Miss Beatrice Ferrar the superior Miss
Pelender. and she might have come out of one
Of good old-fashioned Jane Austen's gallery Of
prtm and precise portraits, faithfully were
the Alterations and proprieties simulated
With acting SO excellent and with the novelty
OF steam launch putting and OFF the stage,
II was not strange that the irst-night audience
was contented with this droll unexciting domes-
ito play and went out refreshed with whole
some Inerriment and clean entertainment The
comic spirit for once had not been toying with
The wsnton satyrs. INF