New-York tribune., 1908-02-13
THE DRAMA.
MADISON SQUARE THEATRE.
"The Worth of a Woman"

The Madison Square Theatre was reopened last
night and a composition called "The Worth OF
Woman produced there That fabric con-
tains neither representative character, dramatic
incident action. and therefore 1t Is not play
but colIoQuy. The subject Of It's conversation Is
one about which there be no rational diner-
ence of opinion and about which no discussion Is
possible. except by persons who wish to stuiuly
their minds. young woman resident IN a west
eTn state has been seduced under promise OF mar
rage, by young man from the East. The young
leaves her, In order to visit his family ana
to obtain parental sanction of his purposed matri-
nlony. His mother disapproves OF his choice ano
refuses to give her consent. On his return to the
West,-his ardor. meanwhile. having cooled.-tne
young woman whom he has victfnzed discerns,
tntuitvely that he is inclined to evade fullrTent
of his promise When, however. she reveals to
him the decisive fact that she is to become a
mother he signifies his willingness to marry her
The marriage is likewise enjoned by the unfortu-
nate girls relatives and by clergyman VINO Is a
friend Of her family, but sense Of the seducers 8
tickle disposition has taken possession of the girls
mind and she refuses TO be marrfed,-alleging tnal
the marriage would be loveless and therefore
irrational. In thus declining marriage she reJecr5
all counsel and incidentally her physical condition
IS declared. That proceeding, apparently, is sup
posed to be not only sensible but noble: and that
farrago of tainted trash is put forth as "a play
To say that did or ever could ACT
in such a manner, or make such an unmfusateo
IOOl OF uel5eAI- NOuic 10 hoo
since probably, there is no extravaganza OF stu
pidtty-or OF anything eIse-to which human nature
might not go: but the posture of circumstances
thus indicated is so grossly improbable as to be
preposterous. Like the sailors monkey. indeed the
play is far-fetched and full of nonsense. The at
thor seemingly, thinks that the position assumed
by his heroine IS wise: II so, there must be some
serious defect in his mental equipment Some
things have been settled by the experience Of man
kind, and settled forever Duty to her unborn
oh not 10 hsrca and chO e-f0
the marriage OF the woman, under the circurn-
stances described, and other course would, or
could. be taken, unless in a family of fools The
play is feeby sophstical in its reasoning brazenly
fetuous In its conclusion and rnischievous in its
inhuence-supposing that thing SO weak can be
in any way influential After four acts OF bather-
ing nonsense, the intiruaton is supplied that the
young woman, being convinced that she Is, after
all, truly loved will marry
At time the production OF 4 nIav on +ba
subject Of tncontinence enough, IN most cases.
to gain remuneratfve public notice. merely because
Of its subject The recent comparative failure Of
such plays as 1.-The Secret Orchard THE
Comet" Irene Wycherley' John GIayde's
Honour" 'The Reckoning etc. indicates an
abatement of morbid interest in theatrical discus
sion OF fndel!cate topics the analysis, that is TO
say, Of consequences of what Emerson aptIy desig-
mated as 'over-freighted instinct As long as
there writer's like Mr.. Pinero, OF undeniable
talent, who degrade their faculties by producing
plays of obnoxious kind will obtain some sue
cess. But Mr.. David Graham Phillips, the author
of this Juvenile product, does possess the skill
Of Pinero and his little discussion of marriage
will die OF its intrinsic folly A Of good
taste and good feeling should have debarrei such
prattle from the stage. Marriage is the corner
stone of civilized society Discussion OF 1t is super
iuous. Certain conventions must be observed.
Persons who t-snsgress must. and do. in the long
sink under the penalties OF their transgresson.
Consideration of charity 10, or freedom of. the
individual cannot alter established institutions
which vital general welfare. To harrow ths
mind and lacerate the feelings by present
ment of pitiabIe OF distress, shown by
means of theatrical special pleading, ts
not to do any good A practical application
of some of the theories IN of the plays
Gently presented would result in a social condi-
ton about level with that of goats. Mr.. Phillips
lately declared that his purpose. in writing THE
Worth of a Woman" really discussion to
what constitutes a rational marriage" and the
presentment of arguments. pro and con" on that
subject. In pursuing that purpose through the
channel of the theatre he has mistaken the prov
ince Of dramatic art and chosen the wrong
dunn for freeing his mind Since he wished to
expose his ridiculous views as 10 what really
constitutes a rational marriage he should have
hired a hall and delivered lecture This ia said
to be Mr.. PhillipS's first play. If he cannot find
a decent subject and one suitable TO theatrical
presentation, and If he cannot treat IT, when found
in a dramatic manner. 1t is earnestly hoped this
will also be his last
The manner In which such plays are acted Is not
OF Importance, except to the comparatively few
persons who witness the doleful presentrnents of
them. Miss Katherine Grey appeared as the
heroine, Diana Merivale. The principal merits OF
her personation assumption OF girlishness
and maintenance of serious aspect in ridiculous
circumstances One line spoken by Diana, aptly
describes both the play and the performance
quite unnecessary and most offensive"
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