New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-15
LONDON DRAMA.
Mr. PineroS Second-Wifc Comcdg
at the st. James's.
London, February

LONDON, February g.
The Lndertone Of ironic laughter in Mr. Pl-
neros new play is caught even in the title His
House in order" records the experience OF
yidoyver whose second wife is SO poor a house
keeper that he is impelled to depose her and
70 leave her al the mercy Of his orderly first
uffes relations. This is the fiimsy expedient by
which Mr.. Filmer lesson. a solemn, heartless,
homeless prig. as well as a wealthy member of
Parliament. hopes TO set his house I'm order as
r-ecise and as respectable as was known when
the Iamented Annabel. OF pious memory. kept
everything in its place. had the meals on time
and was apparently an irreproachable hostess
and helpmeet. The irony is perceived at the
elose q the third act, when there is postum
mus revelation that the first wife was whited
sepulchre and that his house was full OF un-
cssnness and immortality when he fancied that
:; was IN perfect order. The title suits the
comedy more closely than The Second Mrs.
lesson" would have done. for there is a sharp
contrast between the play and The Second Mrs.
TanQueray." IN the earlier play the first wife
was hardly more than a stone efigy: in the
newer work. though dead. she still speaketh in
unceasing tributes from the Ridgeley family to
her virtues and graces. in the husbands gift Of
rubic park 10 the town as a memorial Of use
fuI and virtuous life. and IN irritating sarcasms
directed against her successor. II is the first
possible wife until both the living and the dead
are found out and justice is done. The change
In motive effected IN the relations Of the two
wives produces a variant of the Tanqueray
seres q dramas SO distinctive that the new
drama stands by itself Nina. the poor parsons
daughter and former governess, is misunder-
stood neglected and degraded until the hideous
ruth is known q bout Annabel. and then she be-
cones q noble woman through DISCRIMINATION
an maEnauiu1ity-
-F5ts House in order" AT the 81. James's The
atrs opens with d bit OF newspaper copy--a
clever substitution for the usual protracted ez-
rlaratioas at second hand Of relationships and
OCCUPATIONS A Journalist. received by Mr.. FIJI
r2er lessons private secretary, jots down in
notebook the facts about the memorial park
thirh is 70 be presented 70 the town. and the
names q the inmates and visitors at Overbury
Towers Who are 10 attend the civic ceremony.
The Ridgelevs-father, mother. son and daugh-
rer-have settled down in this Midland country
house 10 look after the sanity Annabel's hus-
band and 70 protect him against the inexperience
and shiftIessness Of Nina, whom he has married
most indfs,reetly. The interviewer does not
learn this directly. but he may safely infer IL
from the contemptuous reference 10 the second
wife as a person Of no Importance. She has
been Ceposed as speedily appears after a series
q enhances and exits. because she is not or
DERBY and persists in smoking cigarettes and
rravfnc with puppies in the drawing room; and
in her place reigns AnnabeIs sister, Geraldine.
who has restored order I'm the household and
usurped the right q giving directions TO the
se-raurs assigning rooms 10 guests and looking
after Derek her little nephew. Among the
guests are Major Maurewarde. who is excess
s.vely fond n the child; and Hilary lesson. Of
-h- British diplomatic service. who advises his
brother 70 adapt himself to the wfes deficiencies
and 70 be grateful for her good points and sub
s-sueutlv hears her side Of the story and SYM
ua1hizes with her. The house is indeed filled
with Arnabe worshippers. and the neglected
wife Is srubbed. Knocked. harried and insulted
The RidEeIevs are arrayed against her, and until
the dirlomatis1 comes there Is nobody to en-
courage he~
There seems 70 he a fair beginning for COM
e5y If intrigue, with an increasing intimacy be-
tween the husband and the sister-in-law and
filtration between the dipOmatist and the high
spirited wife: but this is not what is on MI Pr