New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-05-27
A MILLIONAIRE COMEDY
With Strong Passage of Old Fash
toned Melodran1a.
London, Nav Is

IRE suthor OF the new comedy at the Adelphi,
Mrs Henry de la Pasture. supplies this in .sThe
ronely Millionaires." The title piques curiosi,v
snd appeals 20 imagination. So thoroughly has
me commercial spirit taken possession OF the
world that nillionaires share with princes the
SAND and glory OF distinction. and are popularity
suvposed 10 suffer from safety when there are
"a fresh fields for conquest in sight and the
-.sources Of social ambition are exhausted The
,N Latin maxim. Where Cesar S. there IL
poue" Is translated in modern idiom, Where
he millionaire is. there is supreme happiness;
snd for him is the legend revived, Beat posi-
sertes" Yet, according TO De Quincy. all the
oonrrasts OF glory and shame the extrenities OF
uhst is highest and lowest in human possibility
met IN the careers of the Roman emperors; and
,b.-s IS the ironical suggestion in the title The
rouely Mildonaires." that the highly favored,
vbo have everything the heart desires. are In
splendi6 Isolation and out OF touch with the
common lot. The author. however. has been
spost too clever IN her title. for the promise Of
something unique and pathetic in the fortunes
a. the rich is not redeemed IN the play itself
There are two lonely millionaires the stage,
but apart from the snnoyances OF being harassed
tv men eager 10 invest their money for them
and ty women clamoroue for marriage there is
nothing peculiar characteristic in their trials
and sorroEs One is a retired cotton spinner,
anxious 10 marry of a hea6strong daughter so
as 10 console himself by taking TO his heart her
chaperon. buxom widow; and the other is
refugee from Buenos Ayres. drawn homeward
bvteuder reconectons Of an early love AFFAIR with
the same charming lady. A millionaIres' COM
sina,ion is ultimately effected, by which the I'M
manageable daughter is transferred to tbs rem
iniscsnt millionaire and the chaperon IS left at
liberty 10 abate the cotton spinner's loneliness
TIE OF the whole matter is that m.llionaires
are much ike other men, but have superior
sources for making themselves comfortable and
getting what they want.
The traditions Of the Adelphi require rnelo-
drama. and II is furnished In an Italian episode.
The self-Uilled daughter of FARMLAND, the Ian
oashire cotton spinner, is infatuated with a
fresksh passion for her drawing master Luigi
Peretya. ana after receiving sympathy from a
designing governess is discovered in his arms
by the private secretary. Duoarel, who is the
second millionaire. masquerading in her fathers
employ for the sake OF renewing hts early &C
cusntance with the chaperon. Lady Midway.
Tbs love affair would be more plausible IL the
drawing master We're not made up coarsely as a
low lived. Incorporate villain; but melodreIna IS
in reserve and must be old fashioned and pict-
uresQJe. The private secretary automatically
coaxes her into making a confession to her
father. who proceeds at once to settle the affair
on business principles. He sends for the italian.
and after q little shrewd bargaining obtains
from him q receipt for five thousand pounds and
written agreement TO leave England The
spoilt beauty-and Miss Lily Brayton has never
looked prettie-, younger, nor more charming
pronounces the receipt forgery and dashes for
the train which viii take her TO London. where
she can Join her lover at his studio It is an
accommodation train, and the private secretary.
leapng into a motor car and driving at break
neck speed over dogs and chickens, reaches the
studio in adratce OF the heroine. When the
studio is Disclosed. in the third scene, the gal
eries know thatl their time has come. Not only
are there the familiar accessories Of low life In
student quarter. but there is Italian wife
with z pair Of children; and. irnpersonated by
Miss Annie Schletter. she is a passionate. re-
sentful creature, ready TO snatch up a knife
and TO brandish il murderously.
Melodrama now follows. with a rapid series
Of changes First comes the private secretary's
hurried announcement Of the elopement TO the
angry wife, interrupted by the herone's tinid
knocking at the door. Sir Charles takes refuge
IN the back room and leaves the two women
face 10 face, the wife furious with jealousy and
the young heiress Inundated with conscious
ness OF her own folly. The girl hides behind q
Screen when the painter enters. infamed with
trnk, exultant over his great coup and boast
Ing that he has made his fortune and VIII
never do any more painting. Throwing down
the easel he finds himself confronted with the
FAIR Christina, who snatches her fathers check
from his hand and tears il up. He seizes q
knife and springs toward the girl. but is
knocked senseless by the private secretary. who
has been peering out OF the closet. Down
comes the curtain while the rescuer and the
maiden are hurrying out 10 the motor car; and
TIE play has virtually ended. although another
act is required for Strengthening out the love
affairs of the two miIl4onaires by a reappor-
tonTnent Of partners in an annicable pooling Of
interests The rnelodrama has been stirring
and even exciting. and IL has saved the play,
which without II would have been light com
ety with farcicsl passages and slight character
studies
Such comedy IS there IS comes mainly from
The Individuality OF Miss Lottie Venue, who
impersonstes the charming widow. Probably
The dramatist had no thought Of making the
chsperou a comic character, but was content
with leaving her a sensitive and gushing won-
an. capable OF alternately attracting and re-
tstng the attentions OF two middle aged men,
while reverencing the memory OF her departed
husband Miss Lotue Venue has her own
method Of interpreting an emotional widow by
tef-consclous poses, sidelong glances. mufied
signs, helpless little gestures and poignant
'~'eehsi ana whether she loi4o"s lHS ''AN VI
s"erves from Il in playful waywardness' she Is
delightfully."- humorous and excites merrlment
og everything she does. She is an artist whose
nalnerisms are more important than supueues
u the irrersonation OF character; and her
methods are as acceptable 10 the Adelphi au-
ceace as the old fashioned conventions OF melo-
ofsns She is not the only actor on the stage
.N &r Oscar Asche is most effective as the
lancashire manufacturer with broad brogue:
NF Lang Is manly and attractive as the pri-