New-York tribune., 1907-04-14
MISS OLIVE MEAD

levels where there is never a breath OF romance
or sentiment The three Podmores when their
motor breaks down during heavy rainstorm IN
secluded district Of France find refuge IN an
old chateau known as the Palace OF Puck. where
Widgery Blake has gathered about him swarm
Of Bohemians-artists models. penniIess paint
ers. musicians. poets. dancers and dreaners. It
IS Liberty Hail. with students ballroom. within
easy distance Of Paris. and there are masquerade
dances with high kicking and joy in life. The
Podmores. shocked at first by the unconven-
tionaI existence of Bohemia. are gradually IN
terested in the madcaps around them and
thrilled with novel experiences and emotions.
The condolences with which each Podmore re-
news acquaintance with congeniaI spirit are
as artificial as the foods which force the family
to accept Puck's hospitality for a week The
effec1 would be more whimsical II the merchant
were meeting the artists model for the first
time, or II his wife had never seen the dreamer
before and his daughter and the penniIess
painter were strangers. Prearrangement does
not help on the transformation process. which IS
the real magic OF Bohemia When tho mas
querade comes on the frozen Podmores are COM
pletely thawed out and brimming over with SEN
tipent. Three elopements are planned for the
same night and each Podmore In fancy dress
has found new heavens and a new earth Frolic-
some Puck has only to wave his arms and
everything is readjusted The dreamer and Tae
artists model are recOnciled. and husband and
wife. with resources OF affection and romance
unsuspected by either drive of for a beiated
honeymoon of their own after witnessing the
eiopenent OF the painter with their daughter
It is an evening OF froth and fantastic fooIing
that is spent at the Haymarket yet something
comes OF 1t. for unconsclously the husbands are
moro painstaking in their attentions TO their
wives while they passing out Of the theatre
and the women are less impatient and more
winsome IN thanking them. The moral Is not
Haunted in anybOdy's face but it is taken home
and frankly commented on. The Podmores NAV
be stage made Phiiistines. for whom one will
search in vain among the square miles Of sub
urban wealth and medioCrity. and the delights
OF Bohemia may be evauesCent and unconvinc
ing but who viii deny that the business OF life
Is taken more seriously than is good for thu
majority Of men and women. and that too little
IS made of genuine sentiment and the spirit Of
romance? The fantasy, light and mlrthful as il
Is. appeals 20 what is wholesome and true in
human nature 1t may help to sweeten and
brighten home life well as 10 anuse hc1Ie
audiences
Diverting and entertaining It cannot fail to
be when enacted with skill and versatility bv
the Haymarket company. MIR. Esmond Is the
agile and saturnine Puck. looking at times like
Mephistopheles. and revertiug speedily to the
seriousness Of Ariel and playing with fine va
rlety and unceasing subtlety most difficult
part Mr.. Hawtrey would have given a Lighter
touch TO the duh witted Podmore; but Mr.. Kerr
is flexible actor who enriches any comedy part
with humOr of his own. No spectator ever
wants substitute for Miss Marion Terry for
the charm of her refined personality Is felt even
when she has little 10 do on the stage and has
so uncongenial a part that OF the suburban
Podmore housewife Miss Beatrice Terry is a
tender, ingenious Miranda. and Miss Miriam
Clements an alIuring artists model With ex-
Cellent acting the lack of incident and the finn
sness of the plot are not felt and the play is
interesting. bright and attractive. LNF