New-York tribune., 1907-12-26
THE DRAMA.
MISS BARRYMORE AT THE HUDSON.
nHER SISTER"


Miss Ethel Barrymore cordially welcomed by a
numerous ard genial audience, appeared last night
at the Hudson Theatre, presenting a new play
called Her Sister, the joint composition Of Mr..
Clyde Fitch and Mr.. Cosmo Gordon Lennox. The
public will find that play novel in incident
and interesting story. The is laid in London
The central character is that of bright young
woman who earns her subsistence by fortune tell
ing-designating herself as 1Sis,' and pretending
to be Egyptian prophet and seer. Her name is
Eleanor Anderson. 1t is made known that while
travelling she has casually made the acquaintanca
Of an attractive young man named Ernest Buckley.
and that the acquaintance has ripened into
attachment, that the two betrothed. The
young mans relatives. however. object to the en-
gagement and oppose the marriage, and one of
them, uncle, consults isis the subject
knowing that she is the object of his nephews
love, and desiring tc acquaint himself with her
character and merits His report being favorable.
Eleanor asked to the guest of his family
Social complications, affecting the reputation OF
Eeanors sister, arise at this point, and the affec-
tionate, generous isis" in order TO protect and
vndicate that relative, assumes position opera
tive to her disparagement and injury. and
thereupon she Is repudiated by her aflanced lover
Her sister, It appears. has been the stage, in
New York, and while innocent and worthy, has
yet by accident, become involved in scandal. the
exposure of which will. 1t IS thought, prevent her
marriage with worthy man. who loves her. but
who is represented hard and harsh in his views
OF irnpr. conduct and prone to think the
worst. Indeed it is said of him that he is "a thor
oughly good and doesn't believe in anybody"
The uncle, better fellow. because more manly
and magnanimous declares his love for Eleanor.
and his absolute confidence in her. ard the story
of the Egyptian prophet Is ended, with the custom
ary intnation of white favors and marriage bells.
There Is old comedy by John Brougham, that
begins in the office of q marriage broker, AMI
there is comedy by Mr.. Pinero that begins in the
rooms of a manicure. Dramatfsts sometimes
hard driven for expedient of invention. Mr.
Fitch and Mr. Lennox have been sufficiently fortu-
nate In their device of the mystic Isis" The in
cidents of their play. If not probable-as IN puta-
tive pictures of human life they always ought to
be-are sometimes comic and sometimes Sentf-
mental, and the piece affords opportunities
for acting. Miss Barrymore Eleanor, is the
same sprightly, impulsive gi.i with whom the
theatrical audience has long been acquainted.
While. actress, she does not appear to aim
at mpersonation. she expresses herself completely
incarnation of buoyant. capriclouS young
woma nhood. Her performance characterized
by a winning impulsiveness of temperament. a
charming generosity of spirit. and many def
touches Of sweet. playful. mischievou5 humor
Repose Miss Barrymore has not yet acquired. nor
yet acquired the Imperative facility of clear
articulation. Her delivery of the only really i'm
portant speech allotted to Isis.-a plea for the
poor. weak irresoute girls who act from Impulse
and therefore often foolishly-would have twenty
times its present effect. IL the speaker would take
more time speak clearly, vary the expression OF
changing feelings and create the result of pas
sionate eloquence instead of the result of volubty
Miss Barrymore however, skllfully aided by Mr..
Byron and Miss Lucille Watson. must be credited
with having impaired credibility to an essentially
theatrical, artificial and. at times. almost farccal
play The explanation which Is forced from the
heroine last and by strategem. and at once ao-
cepted. might have been made at the first and
would have been exactly as satisfactory. There
was much applause. and the performances is
success