New-York tribune., 1908-01-12
LONDON PLAYS.
BecIism With and Without Satire
NeIodrama and Mock Heroics.
London, January !

Mr. George E5loriel. at the Court Theatre is a
costermongeT pl2y, with random shots at social
ss-n and luxurious hotels fer paupers. As Mr..
Albert Chevalier takes the part of a doddering
old man. dependent on a poverty stricken
family IN an attic. there is the perfection of
realism in the denotement of coster dialect and
character; and the three Crfcks are almost as
natural character studies as his own, especially
the pert. garrulous girl, so we'll impersonated by
Miss Mabel Garden.
There is the Opening consultation of the work
less famished Crk KS respecting the transfer OF
the old TO tie worizhouse. where at least
he viii be able TO keep soul and body together
and there is the oid1ime prejudice against put
ting near relative the rates and branding
him as a paper. When the desperate resolu-
zion is taken the husbands fathers war medal
IRE last vestige OF family pride, is pawned so
that the old man may not be sent away with an
empty stomach. The simple meal is greedily
eaten and the aged cnster reluctantly retires to
the workhousc. In the second act he returns
three months afterward 10 the garret for holi-
day afternoon and receives al affectionate well
come from the Cricks. who have found a little
work redeemed the pawned war medal mended
the windows and prepared d, modest little feast
for him They strive to comfort him with the
ridings that their affairs are improving and that
he can soon rejoin the family circle, but they
soon discover that he Is not anxious TO Grange
his state The tragedy OF poverty is trans
formed to satiricaI comedy.
The patI,er has been spoiled by luxurious ex-
istence as the guest of the ratepayers. Accus-
toned TO large. well heated recreation rooms, he
shivers in the cold. cheerless garnet and COM
plains Of cIoseness and bad air. The bIoater
fried as \ special treat for him he cannot eat,
and he regales them with an appetizing account
Of the Iuncheons and dinners which usually
provided for him. He describes the billiard and
card rooms where he finds recreation the pleas
ant gardens waere he takes exercise, the com
Portable library where he reads the newspapers
and magazines and the concerts and theatr1cals
ordered for his raiTlTnent- The Cricks, sus-
pectinz that he is exaggerating his prosperity
SO as 20 avoid returning to their tenement TO be
g burden on their scanty earnings, are convulsed
with ulerrinen-. but he assures them that he has
told them the truth and urges them TO join him
in accepting the generous hospitality OF the
state.
His son-in-law and daughter ara attracted by
his aIlJr1ng description of the 1uxuries Of pau
perism. and even his ralshfuI granddaughter is
tempted give UP her liberty il the streets for
the sake OF the social privileges Of the union.
He salts his discourse with socialism, discards
the word ''pauper' misft and contends that
the state IS under obligation 10 provide hand
natural right TO make free use OF the ratepayers'
money The old cosser hobbies away TO keep
his engagement for a concert, and leaves the
Crick household de1noTalize1 by his revelations
OF the good times II store for the states highly
favored pensioners. The action Of this amusing
and powerful little play is timed If not to-day
ro-s1o-row'. and there has been sufficient ex-
rravagance in the administration of the poor
law in some Of the London boroughs 10 justify
the satire.
Realism without satire characterizes the cur
taia raiser. Members Of Nets an episode in
single act, by MI Philip Gibbs and Mr.. CosIno
Hamilton. and the acting is also admirable, Mr..
C,-he Stuart having succeeded in setting high
standard OF efficiency al the Court Theatre 1t
is z study Of low life among fishermen on the
south coast, near Portland Prison, and the dia-
Iect is as racy Of the sands the faces are hard
and the manners rough gun has announced
the escape Of q convict IN the storm, and Fish
errnan Petes wife. Bess, has a prenIonition that
her oldtiule lover. who does not know that she
IS q wife with a baby. viii take refuge in her
mothers cottage She sends her husband out
II the storm and meets the convict alone, not
daring 10 tell him that she is the 1sherman's
wife but allowing him 10 make love 10 her and
pIedging herself 70 join hInI in Australia if he
succeeds in eluding pursuit Her mother goes
out 20 intercept the fisherman. but he returns
the worse for liquor and has a scuffie with the
convict The curtain comes when she knows
that her sick child is dead and the prison
warden Is knocking At the door arrest the
convict Il Is a tragicaI little sea tale. with
not a little pathos. and. enacted it is with
hne realism especially by Miss Beryl Faber,
the bewudered, agonizad wife. it is not without
power.
Mr. shaw's pleasant plays have a larger
share Of popularity in revival than his irritating.
unpleasant dramas. Arms and the Man"
which was one Of NJ. MansheId's drawing cards
II America. has been successfully reproduced
This week al the Savoy Theatre for the enjoy
nent Of stalls and galleries, and as sparkling
exhibition Of mock heroics il is well adapted u
the holiday season. Mr.. Shaw's largest debt Of
gratitude Is due 10 American managers and
pIaygoers for discovering and taking him UP
when his fellow critics here We're not disposed 10
treat him seriously dramatist and his sec
end instaImenr Of obligation. if so irresponsible
{ playwright can be induced 10 acknowledge It,
Ly 70 be placed 10 the credit OF Mr.. Granville
Barker who has presented his plays sympa-
rbeticalIy and intelhgentIy. At the Savoy this
rrsvesty OF heroism and martial ardOT, with its
rlocking satire Of military life, womanly aspira-
ton and the conventionalities. is staged with
every charm Of costume and scenery so as 20
make II something like Bulgarian episode, and
every one OF the seven actors has flip of
briIIiaucy II the denoternent Of human character
and in the agreeabI rattle Of amusing dialogue.
This -.anti-ronantic comedy" differs from farce
ss the sparkling efervescence Of champagne Is
unlike the coarse and oily foam Of beer The
Savoy actors play with their paints
M Robert Lorraine gives the right touch OF
playfulness TO the raiIlery OF the chocolate
cream soldier: Mr. Barker imparts a gloomy
,4-Ea7 mot