The Washington herald., 1908-01-26
NEW YORK THEATERS.

I
New York, Jan. 25.-If I were critic,
and could say what l liked about plays
and players. instead OF a correspondent
whose principal function it is to tell what
is going on in the play world. I should
describe Irene Wycherley' as one Of
the sensations Of the season.
Irene Wycherley'' is the new play
b. a new author. in which Lena Ashwell
rivaled the success OF The Thief in
London. This is the play which Viola
/ Allen secured during her recent visit
abroad, and IN which She signaliZed her
return to the Lebler fold. 1t was pre-
sented for the first time in New York at
/ the -Astor Theater last Monday night.
( Anthony z. Wharton its author, is
/ young Irshman. Il was on the strength
/ Of a powerful little one-act piece which
/ he submitted to her that Miss Ashweil
commissioned him 10 write longer play
/ fer her use. The result was Irene Wych-
erley." II divided honors with the sue
cess Of the London season, The Thief.
/ Here it IS admirably presented. Miss
Allen sweetens the part of the heroine
with her appealing personality and touch
es Of a finished technique that show her
under better advantages than anything
/ have seen her do in domestic drama
She has no hystcrical moments, but the
/ impersonation is penetrated by power and
sympathy. II enabled her to stand out
as self-reiant figure amid a cumulative
series of events OF forceful interest
working consistently to a climax of IN
tense power. Briefly told, this is the story
Of the play:
Irene Wycherley has for some time, lived
apart from her husband. Philip, son OF
Sir Peter Wycherley. Philip is a repro
bate. He has had a score Of mistresses,
Including a Mrs Kane. The woman's
husband committed suicide on learning
OF his dshonor. Philip has personally
abused his wife. once he struck her
iacross the face with a riding whip. Irene
left him. but being a Catholic she does
not get a divorce, But an attachment
has sprung up between her and Harry
/ IChesterton. II is a clean. piatOniC love
on both sides.
Sir Peter respects Irene. His name is
about 20 die out, and be appeals 20 her
to return to Philip and try It once more
But she refuses She would rather be
one OF the women with whom his name
lis linked in scandalOus relations, she says.
than his wife.
AT this iuncture Sir Peter receives a
dispatch that Philip has been seriously
injured al his hunting lodge IN the coun-
try while on a hunt with some friends,
including Charles Summer who. with his
wife has been Philips guest His con-
diti0n is serious. and Irene IS persuaded
by Sir Peter TO accompany him TO the
bedside Of the injured man.
Six weeks have elapsed. Philip is nor
ribiy dishgured for life. and blind. Bu,
his evil instincts have not been subdued
and his repellent attitude toward his
|dutiful wife who tries 20 OH her place
IN spite Of what has transpired, is main
tained. The scene is the Wycheriey coun-
try home in the winter The Summers
who remained with the MANNED man un-
tI the arrival of father. wife. and sister,
are invited back by Irene at the soiicita-
tlon Of Philip. and in the next act have
just arrived and are being entertained al
an evening family party, at which alL
including Harry Chestert0n, are present
Summer has spent his life IN Australia
and Africa amid dangers of all kinds and
with an sorts OF men. He met his wife
at Cape Town and married her. H. is
Z d biud, honest sort His wife is a polish
/ ed creature OF society, During moment
iu which they are alone. Harry Chester
ton approaches Mrs. Sumner and tells
her that he knows her past and warns
her TO leave the house within twelve
hours or he viii inform Sir Peter who
and what she is She fes him.
Ii develops that Philip and she have a
/ secret. His advances are amor0us She
reminds him that he is no longer a thing
OF beauty and advises him 10 turn 20 his
wife for consolation. Her husband has
+ seen him kiss her and Chcsterton has just
warned her TO leave the house BY auC
by we learn that Mrs. Summer Is Mrs
Kane. on whose account her husband
committed suicide.
The revelation strikes Irene dumb al
first. Then. with sudden energy. she rises
against the condition imposed upon hnl
by this w0man's presence. She tells Si
Peter that the woman must leave TN,
house. or she will go. Before any further
stcps can be taken. Mrs. Summer enters
Irene sends Sir Peter for the railway tim,
tables and then reveals 20 Mrs. Summel
her knowledge of her past relations witt
Philip. Make some excuse 10 your hUs
band that VIII satisfy him, she says
but you must leave this house to-mor
rev morning.
At first the woman shows fight. Sh'
+ + accuses Irene Of being Harry Chcstertonl
mistress. But the blow gIances on Irene
consciousness OF innocence, The woman
finally submits and repairs TO her room!
to break the news 10 her husband. Tn,
audience has meanwhile been gradually
made aware that Summer has had some
thing 20 do with the nexplicable aCciden
that destroyed Philips sight Philip him
self has denoted his mistrust of the quie
husband. When Summer enters and de
( mands an explanation why he and hi
, wife are practically turned ont Of door
! after being cordially invited Ia come q
the house the wretched blind man. mad
crazy by drink. hurls himself upon sum
mer. But Summer throws him eff an,
almost strangles him before he is re
strained. and Philip is led off 10 his room
There is a scene between Harry Ches
terton and Irene. in which she tells hin
that she loves him, but that she must dD
! her duty. Summer is seen 10 pass through
; the hall. going in the direction of Phil
ip's room. Irene hears footsteps and botl
stop to listen. There is a moment of si
b lence. Then two shots are heard in
remote part of the house. Irene an,
Chesterton stand spellbound until ST
Peter enters and sinks into "a chair il
bitter agony Of spirit. Summer has shO
r. Philip dead ana ended his own life
j That is the story of the tragedy. WOrke,
= out in masterfu fashion. with constant,
: increasing interest. Strangely enough
the happy ending is brought abou
through the devious method Of a tragi
course Of events. 1t releases Irene from
bpr caVfdor1 and raf,,o,-as a obaro.+a- 70