Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-09-29
LONDON STAGE NEWS.
Special Correspondence.

Special Correspondence.
ONDON.. Sept. 5.-Once IN a de-
cade or so some author who
knows, or else cares little about
the conventions traditions and su-
perstitions Of playwriting, turns out a
play that is all the better for the au-
thor's disregard Of these fetishes; and
once in a blue moon or so such play
gets accepted By a venturesome man
ager. That Is what has happened, APP
parently, IN the case OF Mrs. de la Pas
lures dramatization OF her novel, Pc
ters Mother" Doubtless most Of the
London critics are busy pointing out
10 this fortunate author wherein she
has failed TO obey the accepted rules.
but no one who saw the first perform
ance OF Peters Mother" at Wyndham's
on Wednesday evening could doubt its
appeal TO the audience Notwithstanding
the fact that II is play Of sentiment
rather than action. and that 1t pictures
a narrow, decorous life In which the
storm and stress usually supposed TO be
necessary 10 drama are conspicuous by
their absence.
One need not have read tho
novel In order 10 follow the
play. 1t is the simple story Of d
charming woman well on the younger
side OF 40 who had married at II a
stiff, pig-headed baronet 90 years her
senior. She was made for love and
happiness. but has walked primly and
obediently in q narrow and unlovely
path OF duty, hectored by her hus-
bands aged sisters and forever sup
pressed and lectured by that worthy
himself He has never conhded In
her. and when the play opens we find
him stoically arranging TO keep her
in ignorance Of an operation he is to
undergo on the morrow. and from
which 1t Is not likely that he viii re-
cover II is at the time OF the Boer
war. 10 which the old baronet is Bit
terly opposed. In what proves to
be his last evening alive. word comes
that his only boy. Peter has run away
from Elton and enlisted. He is TO sail
next morning. His mother would fly
20 him. his father commands her 70
stay; she rebels. for almost the first
time In her life. Her cousin. a ia
nous lawyer. who has been called
down 10 make the baronets will and
prepare for eventualities. intervenes
and tells her the truth about the COM
ing operation. The struggle between
duty and maternal love is strong. but
duty comes out ahead and Peters
mother stays at home
IN the second act, two years later.
Peter returns. with his right sleeve
empty, He proves to be chip on the
old block. and MS tender mothers
overwhelming Joy at seeing him again
f. quickly turned 10 tears She had
become betrOthed 10 her cousin, the
lawyer and love ana beauty had come
into her life for the first time; but
all this must be surrendered, for
Peter takes Il for granted that
she will devote herself exclusively
20 him and she meekly submits. Event.
uslly, however, that stubborn young
cub. Peter. who is made lovable IN
spite Of his selfishness, Is tanned by the
captivating daughter OF a neighboring
family. and Peters mother IS al last
released from bondage.
The chief interes; in reading this
uneyentful outline is IN noting from
what thin material a really charming
play can be made-proyiding the au-
thor has n shrewd and kindly humor.
the true instinct for portraying charac-
ter, and the genius 10 picture life with
out the eaaggerstion usually deemed
necessary for effects that win carry
across the footlights" and yet with
such sympathy that the mild and ten
der griefs and Joys Of her heroine are
shared IN equal measure by the audi
ence.
Mrs. de Ia Pasture was fortunate in
deed 20 have as an interpreter OF her
heroine that wholly delightful actress
over Swallowed by her more famous
sister and whom London really began
20 discover only four OF 1--WE years ago.
II any hvhul ltlldlLtu a. 10 Ntf TUE
20 a place as one OF the most gifted OF
English actresses. her work IN Peters
Mother" ought TO dispel II. hear this
morning that arrangements are being
made TO produce the play IN the Unit.
ed States with Marion Terry an soon as
she can be spared.
Won't somebody please send over
really new and really good American
play. 10 be put on az the London wal
dorf7" Not from the beginning when
this attractively appointed playhouse
was opened by the Shuberts has a real
success been seen there. and as the en-
terprise IL rightly regarded as an
American one and several OF the pieces
have been OF American origin, Il Is
about time that real. Is carat. Trans
atlantic hit was scored there II Is
doubtful II this win be done By Mrs.
Temples Telegram" which was put
on at the Waldorf this week. for
though II has the assistance Of william
Morris. its part author. in an import
ant part and though London finds the
comedian clever and fresh In his
methods. the play IL written on much
too old-fashloned iiret 10 compete With
the other light comedies 10 be seen In
town. Shore Acres" with Cyril