New-York tribune., 1907-01-20
THE DRAMA.
NEW PLAY AT THE LIBERTY,
"Salomy Jane. I"

In the writings Of Bret Harte various types Of
feminine character expertly displayed, against
a rough background OF primitive civilization, In
the California Of Long Ago,-gentleness, refine
ment. nobility, and heroism being made 70
disclose themselves in strange ways and places
like the pOppies that bloom In crevtces Of the rock
Bret Harte loved contrasts and. a stOry-wTiter.
he fashioned them we'll The material Of the play
called "salOmy Jane" that was produced last
night at the Liberty Theatre. with Miss Eleanor
Robson in the leading part. has been derived from
ms pages Incidents and characters have been
taken from many stories and much OF the novelist
has been unisrepresented The character or Star
bottle. for tnstanee,-admirably tmpsrsOnated BY
Reuben Fax. who is a comedian Of tine talent and
high Order,-has been completely spoiled star
bottle. in the original Is fine gentleman: not an
impostor; not a bluff: not a hunnbug The
entire picture Of California life has bean made
untrue People In that country do not drink out
OF water pals, nor do they. nor ever did. walk
about watching for a chance to shoot somebody.
me play Is crammed with persons and incidents
that do not harmOnize with any distinct schems.
so that II seems like Kaleidoscope The only
clear idea In It is that the heroine. saIomy Jane
has cOmpassiOnately kissed captive who IL about
to be hanged and thereupon has fallen IN love
with him. as he has with her, and they ought 20 be
nsrried-as eventually OF course they are. One OF
two OF the situations are ingeniousIy contrfved.
but as whole, the play is ragged. IL has been
exceedingly well set upon the stage. and Il win be
success-argely or entirely, because OF the skill OF
the company Mr.. Warner gives a capital perform
ance, by being an heroic. splendid fellow. IN ap-
Pearance, and doing nothing. Mr.. Ralph Delmors. as
4uDa Bill. delights the observer by good humor
Jovialty-for particular reason. Mr.. HoIbrOok
Blnn. as Jack Marbury CBret Harte's favortts
gambler, Hamlin Is remarkably clever. with a
smile at the right time. apt word: exceedingly
neat acting. and. for wonder. not bore. James
Seeley gives exceptionally fine performances. as
man who is likely, at any moment. TO be shot by
his enemy. and Is watchful to shoot first The
ornnous condition Is superbly well suggested. to-
gether with the tenderness OF paternal feeling
for he is Salomys father Miss Ada DWyer makes
an impossible woman.-herce virago and tender
mother-qute credible. The success of the piece is
gained by the company-not by the star; and that
fact is not without significance.
The acting Of Miss Eleanor Robson is Of kind
that IS neither stimulative OF emotion sug-
gestive OF thought. Il shows. however. initiative
talent OF conventional order developed and made
useful by professional experience. The feminine
nature disclosed in II is OF somewhat feline order,
blending seIfshness with grace. and that nature
is disclosed in metallic artificial style. The
calism Is brittle. The gestures are narrow. The
dsmeanor Is seIf-conscious. At times there are
indications OF feeling and those agreeable; nor
does II signify whether the feeling Is actual or
sumsd There IS little IL any. impersOnation. The
performer is visible rather than the character that
should be assumed. and the result Is a monotony
Of personal manifestation There are many young
women on the stage who produce much the same
effect, for much the same reason As Salouny lana
Miss Robson gives the best psrsonation that she
has ever given the local staEs-for she presents
a woman who loves. who is generous. and who is
Ia earnest and she makes all that anybody could
make Of the few expressive situations that pro-
vided for her, In exceedingly difruse and sham
bling play. In a popular sense the production Is
srninently successful