New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-12
THE DRAMA.
MANHATTAN THEATRE.
CLOTHES"

II the verdict Of an overfriendly first night au-
dience could be accepted as a nnal decision IL
would be easy to write that Avery HOpwoods ana
Claiming Pollock's new play. Clothes" In which
Miss Grace George appeared at the Manhattan
Theatre last evening, success There were
loud and prolonged expressions or approval. ana
the two authors, IN response 70 Vocuerous de-
mands. appeared upon the scene after the close OK
the third act and bowed their embarrassed thanks.
The play deals with the efforts Of girl. brought
UP in luxury and left practically penniless by the
death Of her father 20 maintain her position IN tbs
rapid set Of New York society in which her lot has
been cast. wealthy marriage is the obvious solu-
ton OF the problem TO which, urged by her women
friends she announces herself ready TO submit.
An available victim appears IN a rich and trustful
business man from the West. Olivia sacrifices
part of her principal, upon the slender income Of
which she has been unable TO keep up appear
ances. In order 10 buy gown to wear at the ball
where she expects 10 complete her conquest IN
fortunately. she complexities matters By actually
falling in love with the man she intends to marry
At the moment Of her acceptance OF his offer he
learns that the stock she owns Is that has not
paid dividend in years. that the money she has
received has been supplied by a married man, who
has ACTED as administrator Of her fathers esSate.
purchase S her me clothes had completed The ruin
70 her II Is clear that the MISUNDERSTANDING which
separates the lovers the curtain goes down for
Mr. HopWood a western StournaIist,' In whose
s GTn she plot Of the drama was born has evidently
lie in the pages Of Mrs. whartOn's novel. The
House of Mirth, which. with Mr.. PollOck's assist
ance. he depicts The situations are. in many
cases. so similar to those in the story that
ENCOURAGEMENT on the programme would have been
more graceful act on the part Of the playwrighrs
than was their appearance before the fOOtlights.
They have, however, at least succeeded IN fitting
a number OF capable actors with effective roles,
or vice versa Miss George was not overweighted
with the part she had 70 play that Of a frivolous
society girl changed BY love into an earnes true
hearted woman. Robert T. Haines as the Western
lover gave manly and straightforward PERFORM
ance and Frank Worthing in the unsympathetic
role OF the false friend. handled with admirable
discretion difficult scene in which. under the in
fuence Of drink. he compromises the girl he loves
70 prevent her marriage with another. Louise
CLOSER acted middle aged spinster with fine art
and much humOr, and Charles Stanley a breezy
WeSterner. Horace Walling a preOccupied pub
Usher with extravaganza wife. and Douglas
Fairbanks as society youth Of unbounded spirits,
were all excellent.
In fact, there were many opportunities for good
acting, but they were jumbled together with little
regard to construction. and several OF the most
violent and noisy scenes occurred IN open hall
way OF a house where a fancy dress ball in
progress In the adjoining drawing room. There
were frequent pauses in the action TO enable the
players 20 make smart remarks or to appeal %
the emotional Susceptibitfes OF the gallery. II
Clothes really proves 70 be a success. it will bs
due TO its trimmings rather than TO the excelIencs
Of the cutting.