New-York tribune., 1907-03-23
LONDON PLAYERS.
Alexander IN Dir. SutrO'S DramG-
B0urchier as Sheridan.


last nisht al the St. James's Theatre. is as
dramatic a play as His House in Order and as
c,everly constructed The flashes of comedy are
less brilliant and there is not trace Of satire,
hut the dramatic action has superior cunula-
tive effect and the tension is maintained TO the
last moment Indeed. there Is an ending 50
expected as 70 be startling. yet II IS logical and
convincing II is not a happy ending, and this
may tel commercially against IL. The million
aire stock operator in America, preoccupied
with the business Of making his fortune. has
neglected his wife until IL is too late 10 regain
her affections She has fallen in love with an
artist younger than herself, and he IS equally
infatuated with her. The husband. receiving a
warning. sails from New York, and is greeted
coldly when he reaches his wife's fiat in Paris.
and he makes desperate efforts 70 set his house
IN order by sheer force Of will, while he IS sus-
faining the market in New York and battling
the efforts Of rival spectators 20 ruin and
crush him. An elopement between the foolish
wife and the headstrong artist is planned, and
their intimate friends are unable TO dissuade
her. The husband himself fancies that he has
brought her 20 her senses. but she is deceiving
him with lies and caresses and gaining time for
keeping her appointment at the studio. What is
70 be the ending? The spectator feels confident
either that the artist viii be shot or that a
reconciliation win he effected al the last mo-
rnent He loses both guesses. Nobody is killed;
reconciliation has become impossible. The
heartbroken husband. appearing al the studio
before the lovers have gone tells the artist TO
take the woman away and 70 teach her not TO
tell any more Hes. He turns his back upon
them. and the curtain falls upon an astonished
house.
This crude summary seems 10 reduce the
drama 70 a problem play Of a peculiarly OBJ
noEous kind, but this impression must be cor
rected. There IS no problem IN the play except
human folly, and this IS neither condoned nor
made attractive. The husband. engrossed with
the game Of winning fortune. finds out too late
that he has sacrificed his wife and home TO his
business The wife and the artist are warned
by their friends that they are making fools of
themselves and that their romance viii end dis
astrousiy for each. No sympathy is excited for
them from beginning TO end The millionaire
Teaps what he has sown. and there will be a
similar harvest for the runaway lovers. Every
thing Is reasoned out with inexorable logic by
men and woTnen Of the world in the course OF
the drama. princess, who is Mrs. Glayde's
closest friend, tells her that her husband IS the
artists superior IN every respect, and that she
Is planning ruin for everybody related TO her
The painters intimate companion forecasts with
equal candor and good sense what wiz happen
when the period q dlsenchantment has passed
and he attempts 70 resume work with mistress
Jealous OF every model and discontented with
poverty and bohemian associations. The fools
peTseveTe in their folly. and the husband
brings the same hard, practical judgment. which
mas enabled him 10 make great fortune and 70
oecome power in the financial world, 70 bear
upon his wrecked, empty home. His happiness
can never be restored: his neglect Of a wife
Starving for affection can never be repaired
Ahere can be no reconciliation after the wife's
neachery and base deceit. Let her be taken out
o. the way and divorced as decently as pos
A6e! Let every one pay the penalty for folly
ana The deceitfuness Of riches:
Nr. sutro has written not an immoral. but
an immoral play. IN which worldly wisdom is
substituted for ethical motive. The millionaire's
marriage has been miscalculated failure from
As ruling passion for business: and the elope-
tent cannot prove otherwise, the lockers on at
me nat and the studio themselves being wit
Lssses- The three principals are arraigned be-
tote the bar Of common sense and convicted By
1eF peers Of insensate folly. Questions of
morals being waived as beyond the jurisdiction
:. rhls court Of money spinners end fashionable
.leiS the dramatic motive remains, and this
clearly defined. Il Is the struggle OF will
~ I4at IS always the most interesting subject
'oi drama Il is the duel between husband and
ie with the energy and nlasterfuI force OF
aiaeier Of the one contrasted with the shall
.o@ness and hippancy OF the other The hus-
ai'a Is What devotion 20 business and passion
~ SPECULATION have made of him: and the wife
"hae she has become through neglect and
YIs1t OF pleasurable excitement. Each is r.
ea oy environment-the millionaire by the
'aoie American secretary working at high
-s11afe by telephone and cable. and the in.
as romantic wife by the cynical gossips and
pel knights whom she entertains. The stsry
'Hes more interesting and dramatic as act
h-s act, and the conclusion. when one has
-. ARe minutes 10 think of Il. is as logical as
-, - demonstration IN Euclid. II is good drama.
Gear cut situations. q true sense Of char
s', symmetry OF composition and dialogue
Is incisive and sparkling.
~. George Alexander is provided with a part
go develops all his resources as IN actor.
@A ordinary play az the St. James's much Of
power is held in reserve while he is fas-
49, ,ns lhe aHaience with his courtly manners
diplomatic nnesse and his ardor In love
-. IN this drama he plays with fine va
49, ana sustained strength, adapting himself
lubuety 10 every situation. rafting Off
blinents with a deferential air. wooIng with
,Olaie ardor. con5essing his faults with
~ heo humility, nlnging out polished sarcasm
- ooffful reproaci and thrilling the audience
- ms outbursts OF wrath and despair He
ieS charm but greater versatility and
- power IN this play than in His House in
j is indeed as good an exhibition OF
- q acting can now be witnessed In