New-York tribune., 1908-01-21
THE DRAMA.
VIOLA ALLEN At THE ASTOR.
Irene Wycherley."

mas IanE
,oa. accomplished actress made her re-entrance'
snnearins in an English play called Irene Wych-
-3e.' Miss Allen in the course OF career extend
-,v over a period of than thirty years (she
vent on the stage in 1870, has had ample and
various professional essperience,-paying many and
sharply contrasted parts. and consorting with some
~ the best and most renowned actors of her time;
such as John Mccullough. Lawrence Barrett, Joseph
Jefferson William T. Florence, and Tonnrnaso Savini
In her case. in that OF every other fine actor,
individual character has prescribed and guided ar
-stic tendency. and provided propuls!ve force FOR
-be achievement of success II is the nature within
the artist that conquers. In all of Miss Aliens
srtins the character manifested has been gentle
snG lovely. but it has also been potent, resoute.
nob!e .nnexible its integrity. beautiful in its
u0Tnanlv grace. Through all her diversified embod
rncnts the stage observation has perceived a
r.re sweet, kindly woman sympathetic with lofty
deals and earnestly solictous for their splendid
expression. Her natural powers and faculties arc
exceptionally fine. and they have been fostered
by continual make her thoroughly pro-
Ac.ent artist Thus endowed and thus capable. the
actress must, inevitably, exercise farreaching in
dGenoe upon the stage ana the community It is
uournful. accordingly, and much to be resSftted.
hat Viola Allen should lend her influence. as she
doing row, to promulgate gloomy, dreary. re-
puIsve depressing absolutely useless exposition of
sexual depravity and domestic broil-a play that
only adds the many superfuous exam
pies current of the public laundry for soiled
resented the royal and lovable character of
ShakeSpeare's rmosen- She appears in very
different aspect-a personifcation. indeed. that is
above reproach--an image of conventional reeti-
tude.-but a the central character in prolix.
tedious tainted collocuy concerning the scandalous
theme of incontinence; offensive and inexpress-
bly, tedious theme, which the author OF Irene
wycherley' has forth with all the blunt oandor
OF unconscious yulgarty and all the cr7Ideness OF
tnexperience
sar anti
sode" It is comprised In three acts, requiring
three sets of scenery The first act passes in Irene
wyeherley's drawing ROOM in London The sec
end and third acts pass in the house OF Philip
U-ycherIey. in Horsley. in Surrey. about twenty
miles from town The talk flor il is all talk.
begins in November afternoon. 1906. and proceeds
and terminates in day and a night of Deosnber,
the same year Thirteen speakers. nine of them
being females areSfmplicated in the compensation.
The story consists of many domestic details Irene.
pure. good, weIIbred girl. Of eighteen, has been
welded q licentious biackgusrd. Philip Wych-
erley, loving him and believing him to be hon
orable. She has, during five years, submitted 10
gross treatment her husbands hands-strivng
blind herself the truth that he is libertine
Then she has ventured TO demonstrate with him,
because of his Illicit intimacy with certain Mrs
cave and thereupon. in drunken resentment he
has Iashed across the face with riding whip;
vhereupon she has left his house. The husband
IF Mrs Cave meanwhile, discovering her crimi-
nal intimacy with Philip Wycherey. has blown
out his brains. and Mrs. Cave and Mr.. Wycherley
have sought pastures new in the ueighborhood
Of Budapest. The play begins four years subse-
ouent those pleasing incidents. Mrs Wycher-
ley has resided in London, and she has been treat
ed with kindness by Sir Peter Wycherley, the
father OF her husband. She has made no effort 70
obtain divorce. being, a devout Roman Catholic
Ar. Wycheriey has retilrned to England. alone,
while Mrs Cave has returned to England with q
man named Charles Summers 20 whom she is
married. Mrs wycheriey has become, innccently |
somewhat intimate with young man named |
Henry Chesterton, whom she considers 10 be /
paragon Of virtue. superior 10 all other repre- |
sentstives Of male humanity. She desires his /
piatonic friendship and society. Mr.. Chesterton |
however is in love with her. though he has not |
said SO, and their intimacy is beginning to cause
defsmatory comment in social circles.
The parents Of Mr. Wycherley desire that his /
wife should return TO him. She is about to attend
a theatre accompanied by MI Chesterton and /
Mrs Hetheridge. OF her friends. Her mother /
in-Isv Lady wycherIey. calls and requests her 10 |
dispense finally. with the society of Mr. Chester
ton. On the ground that scandalous tongues are |
busy with their innocent relation. The mother-in-
la is repelled, and she departs The father-in-law
calls and makes the same request. on the ground |
that il is her duty TO return TO her husband. and
because he Sir Peter is solicitous for an heir lest
his family become extinct the death of Philip |
wycherley. In that coloquy the suffering of Mrs
vycherley during her life with her husband. and |
also the of her feelings that subject are
made known Sir Peter is repelled. and he departs,
terton who has been waiting in another room
having the summons Of Mrs Wycherley. to |
her 10 the theatre.--then presents himself
That remarkable young knows Of Mrs Wy |
cherleys dreadful experience and he is represented
being in love with her: yet has continued an /
acquaintance with her husband. he has placed his |
country house al the disposal of thai dirty beast
and has invited him to become guest there All /
this he reports the lady and, having done SO (by
way It would seenI Of preparation). he tries TO
md kiss her Mrs
She remarks: Il don't blame you; it is my own
fault: and she adds. After this evening. / will
see you only by chance will speak TO you only If
necessity They are 10 attend the theatre, In
order that Mrs Hetheridge may not be disappoint-
Cd Sir Peter Wycherley returns, and informs Mrs
WychefIey that her husband has been seriously in
jured. while shooting. Mr.. Wycheriey. II appears.
he's been entertaining Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Sum
mers,the latter. formerly Mrs. Cave. his mistress
Mrs Summers has telegraphed TO Sir Peter in
formation OF the accident to Wycherley Sir Peter.
accompanied by his wife, s bound for the bedside
Of that interesting sufferer Mrs. Wycherey. moved
ey 'seuse Of suty" the shameless blackguard,
expresses her intention OF going with Them. Mr..
chesterton dismissed. conduct Mrs. Hetlelidge
10 The theatre. and The act IS ended with a pict-
sre Of Mrs Wycherley. solus. tossing the touching
telegram into the fire; a picture which Is, mani
festiy 6rEinatic-and striking
In Act Second the interesting husband. Philip
NycherIey makes his appearance. He has been
shet in the head: he is blind-for the wound has
cesfroyed his eyes. During his convalescence ne
has manifested bitter. contemptuous aversion 10
his wife. His sister Murie has tended him. with |
The assistance Of professional nurse,-he having |
been graciously pleased 10 accept her Muriel
hss made herself unpleasant 10 Mrs. Wycherley-
40 one has been consderate of her. The unhappy |
wife is IN miserable state OF irritation distracted
between the prompting of impulse absurdly |
called the duty and natural and proper
les 1v.salf.- T,