New-York tribune., 1906-09-02
THE DRAMA.
SAVOY THEATRE.
The Chorus Lady"

The Chorus Lady
To build up 4 foar-act play out Of a twenty-rlir-
ute vaudeville sketch Is a dangerous experiment
u has been tried many times. and usually failed
of success
Last night at the Savoy the experiment unques-
uonably succeeded. Not only was Rose Stahl as
Patricia OBrien the sangy but honest heroine
OF The Chorus Lady" able 20 sustain interest of
heI unusually clever characterization through an
entire evening but James Forbes the author fur
nished her with more than adequate vehicle for
the display OF her peculiar talent. To these neces-
sary elements % success was added q well chosen
cast
There was nothing especially novel or startling
in the plot. which was built In a workmanike man
ner upon familiar lines. Patricia OBrien tho
daughter of an Irish horse trainer is n member
"f the chorus in The Moonlight Maids" burlesdue
company She has picked up and freely employs
tho argot Of her profession. and of the white
Asht district. She wears a blond pompadour and
a > a satin skirt, but her heart Is true 70 Dan
Mallory, racing man. for whom her father works.
she is as self-cCntred most OF her class. and
her accounts OF hc- personal success IL the front
row Of the show whose disastrous career lands her
at home for temporary rest (as well the $40
a week which her talents command. make her
younger sister. Nora eager 10 enter The same pro-
tession- Pat, she is known At home seeks 10
disSuade her better looking. it less worldywlse sis
ter. but fearing that Dick Crawford. a wealthy
New YORK cluhman. who mad just taken half In
'-9A 'i4 iti14 ctdpt, Is paying leT zoo danger
Gus attentions. Pat takes her. she thinks cut Of
his reach and of on her engagement
Nora had previously acquired the habit Of playing
the races. and. unknown 10 her sister IS max
ing book with the members of the chorus. She
loses much OF their money AMI Is forced 10 borrow
from Crawford to make good. She gives him q
note signed r. O'Bricn." II Is in this way that
Crawford hopes TO get her IN his power and bend
her to his whim
Patricia learns Of her sisters trouble through ii
spjteiul member or the chorus and tells Nora that
AZ AL hazards. the note. with their fathers name
forged thereto. must be got back from Crawford.
As the fond parents. II l. announced by the call
boy, are in front 60 their daughters I'm the
show, Nora. IN deportation. rushea 20 Crawford's
apartments, and Patricia. missing her. quickly fol-
lows When Mallory AMI Mrs OBrien. who have
been put on 'holr track by the aforementioned
Jealous rival of Patricia. ushered into Craw-
fords apartment, Patri,la conceals her sister and
lets II appear 20 her mother and her lover that j;
s she of whom Crawford Is cramored thus saving
Nora's good lane
OF course. In the last act. delayed explanations
are made, and Pat consents 10 give Up her ar, and
live with Dan like Rubos along with the cows
II Is more in the building up OF his characters
than in his construction that Mr.. Forbes has made
ms hrst success playwright. There is hardly
part Ia the piece that Is distinct character
and one which acts we'll Credit however. must
be given to the players. each OF whom was efs'c-
tive in hts her special role
The hrst honOrs. Of course. 10 Miss Stahl. who
rot only able to make tho audience laugh with
The ready gnEess Of her slang but 70 rise 20 emo
:ioraI heights when occasion offered. OF tho other
actors, Alice Leigh. Mrs O'Brieu, gave a de-
Ucolsly natural portrayal of -" m0theriy irish
woman. W!frid Lucas as Dan Mallory. Pats De
voted lover told true a. The Wholesome ard manly
lover of Pat. Francis Hyrue In ~" dtN"ut and
unsympath~tic part of The villain. was entirely uu-
conventional and yof tHoroIEEiv convincing II"
conceived tho part a tyli-al Young man about
town whose manners wsro attractive q hts methods
INSCRIPTIONS.
10 Is hard 20 diercnta'o where ~" general stand
ard OF excellence was so high Amy Lee aF a ward
robe woman and Giles shine. The Chorus
Iadys father. furnished good character hi's, and
F-ya pornIr1r a. Sora DEriC- VaF G'tra rt!ye and
s,mpafhetr
The second act oc fse play IS i0 ti" chorus room
n tho I.ougac7e Theatre and shows n" lady mem
hers Of h. chorus Jed by Pat dressing t"r tho per-
fr-rnauro It Is worth ua.i1z that this entire act,
which rt;Ied rayly on from start 20 finish. and US
'n Itself .rou-n 20 irsur" tle success ~ the play.
vas acted o. rely by the vom"o of the cast save
where the yo % o( the STAGE manager and the call
hov were heard from the wings
The Chorus Lady should easily fnd favor for
Tho entire five weeks time allotted ~ e al tho
E.-.-.