New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-09-19
THE DRAMA.
HACKETT THEATRE.
Man and His Angel. "

new play. called Man and His Angel writ
Ten BY Mr.. Stanley Dark. was presented last night
a. the Haokett Theatre. The purpose OF this piece
is 10 exemplfy and commend good woman's en-
nohling influence upon the character and life Of
deformed and embittered man. by whom she is
beloved That infatuated person-grim in aspect
sardonic in spirit. and husky in voioe.-was. for
some mysterious reason fugitive from officers OF
justice. and. IN that emergency he was sheltered
by a girl who arterward became a prosperous
and famous singer; whereupOn. during several
years he followed her ike a shadow, and. though
hopeless OF marrying her himself, did all IN his
power 70 prevent her from marrying any
body else That did not signify until she fell
in loveI but when he made breach between
her ana a whom she loved and by
whom she was idoIized. the consequences were
serious-for she made miserable At the last
he was conquered by the spectacle OF her distress.
and so became sufficiently celestial to admit his
rascality in the means that he had used 70 wreck
her happiness and then TO restore her 20 love and
peace The story, very long and unspeahably tedi-
ous Is preposterous In itself and ludicrous IN most
OF Its Incidents. At the beginning. Mr.. Stepniak.
solemn Russian is dwelling in q shabby lodging.
In a mean street. IN the East End of London. with
his attention concentrated q prayer-bOok: and
nve aristocratic persons. whom ne has never seen
before. enter his room. declare that they have
heard the voice OF his daughter and that
they must take her from him and educate her. at
great expense, for the operatio stage-a proposal
70 which both father and daughter instantly as
sent Mr.. Stepniak apprises his daughter that the
prayer book contains secret which she Will one
day learn Then David Tryne. the fugacious and
reverberating hunchback, enters, by open win
dow declares that he is innocent. and is preserved
4 state Of wealth and glory Immediately ensues,
and the prirna DONNA Sonia Stepniak. loves and
fascinates Cecil Stanforth OF TIE golden youths
OF English society-pictured. in this instance as
group Of prattling people. most OF whom ig-
norant OF the correct pronunciation OF English
words David Tryne thereupOn brings forth
the prayer book OF father Stspniak. now
deceased, and produces from It papa
declaring that Sonia Is nIegitimate. This terrific
disclosure he communicates to Lord Arthur Dali
ton one Of SOnas rejected sutors. and that noble
contrary TO all sense, necessity. or decencyO
undertakes 70 apprise the lady OF her dubious
origin. The document. OF course. turns out 70 be
forgery. II It's story had been true. there no
why Mr. Stepniak should record II. still less
was II likely that he would transmit the intelli-
gence to his beloved child. The attempt has been
made 70 build up a structure OF agonizing situa-
lions. but the means false and incOngruous
and the structure is too hnsy for serious consid-
GRAFTON. The acting OF all the parts marked
by earnestness and effort, but. except in the per
Torrance OF Lord Dalton. by Mr.. Fred Tyler, it
conveyed no impression OF sincerity. But actors,
necessarily, ara az loss, when required 10 inter
pref types OF being that distorted from nature
and made 10 behave the mechanical puppets OF
completely artificial circumstance Mr.. Lawrence
afforded some amusement by the clOwnish antics
OF a hRlf-crazy tnpresariO- Miss Frances Ring
uncOmmonly hollow. ineffective, and dull Mr..
HoIbFook Blinn showed the capacity OF being surly
and showed nothing else Pallid mOnOtony IS
very easily simulated. and very tresome. Mr..
Fred Tyler has dignity. distinction. and refine
ment. and his management Of a grossly improbable
situation raised bad play 70 momentary tmpOr-
lance. The house was crowded