New-York tribune., 1908-11-22

principal actors have tuu opportunity for the
display OF their stagecraft.
Miss Irene vanbrugh has ths more dirtcult
task because she interprets fighty, menda-
cdous woman who cannot enlist syupathy; and
she acts with fascinating charm. sincerity OF
feeling and persuasive power. Her delightful
personality is felt even when the character it
self iE unintelligtble. Mt. George Alexanders
work as the bridge builder is more straightror-
ward and successful II he does not suggest
the Rhodesisn engineer and man OF action, he
reveals the noble nature of trustful. unsus-
picious lover unused TO womens wiles and un-
suIIied in honor He plays with reticence, dis
tinction Of style and fine variety, and has sell
dom had a more congenial part.
The process Of bridge building is wholly met
aphortcaI IN the second play. This Is THE
Builders" by Miss Nora Keith. produced at the
Criterion for trial performance and enacted
so brilliantly that ii IS likely TO be repeated for
a fair run. Il recites the unconscious processes
bv which human beings are brought together
for good or evil, and the necessity for Destroy
ing the bridge when they are confronted with
catastrophe The bridge is built when Adrian
White. q brilliant barrister who has been shut
out Of his home by Childless, woman -suffra-
Eette wife forms the habit Of calling upon
client Mrs. Gray, and ronping with her child.
SUcceSSIuly
suit established her innocence and obtained for
her the custody Of her child IN the end he falls
passionately in love with her and she with him:
but when he is toe weak TO think OF her honor
or his own she Is strong enough 20 sharter the
bridge.
At first she attempts 10 steal away with her
child and to find a refuge IN France, but when
he blocks her retreat she faces him. tells him
that she was really guilty when he was con-
WINGED Of her innocence, and sends him back 10
his wife whose eyes have been opened 70 the
folly Of despising the nursery ideal OF marriage
and negiecting her husband for the sake Of at
tending committee meetings and leading the
woman suffrage cause. # Is a moral ending,
but not a happy one. The lie separates a par
of child lovers with heartbreak each side.
and reunites husband and wife with their
chances of happiness dependent upon the aban-
donnlent Of the suffrage cause for home cuties-
The pIav cannot be justly considered an at
tack upon the suffrage movement The theme
is motherhood The lawyers wife discovers
that the notoriety of a political cause and the
bustling activities OF eighteen committees are
worthless in comparison with the possession
of child II is through the chid's eyes that
he learns TO love the mother, whom he has
saved from scandal and disgrace, and his WIFE
as she sees him playing with the little girl Is
filed with envy or the joys OF motherhood anu
with regret that she has been too busy with
her political duties find time for having chill
dren Of her own The advocate, who has sue
cessfulIy defended a woman's honor, is ready
70 compromise her fatally and to discredit the
acuuittal which he has obtained for her. He
forces her to tell a hideous lie in order to pro-
tect herself against his pleading for since he
has ad0red her child il has been easy for her
10 worship him. II she breaks down the bridge
and turns him hopelessly adrift, ii may be be
cause she loves her child and cannot tolerate
the thought of confessing that she has run away
with another womans husband. II motherhood
is set against suffrage leadership, II is for the
sake OF contrast and dramatic climax.
The first act with It's sxaggerstion and bur
Iesque Of the women in public life is dull
prologue even with a group Of clsver players
on the stage II is when the real theme. the
spirit OF motherhood. is reached that the play
ceases TO be crude and gradually comes TO have
distinction and moving power Mr. Aubrey
Smith and Miss Evelyn DAlroy have the prin-
ctpal parts and act with psthos and passion
ate intensity II Mr. Sutro's characters, WITH
all his technique are theatrical puppets, the
barrister and his client human beings pull.
.a,tra ,.tth 1tfa I y F