New-York tribune., 1908-08-19
THE G4RDEN CROWDED

Was It the magic name ''The Devil was il the
spirit Of interest that had been aroused in the
public BY the startling stroke OF Harrison Grey
| Fiske in announcing the production of Ferenc
Monars play OF that name. without first securing
the permission OF Henry ". Savage, followed by
Mr.. Savages equally startling retort in yesterday
mornings newspapers that he would produce the
play five minutes ahead of Mr.. Fiske? Or was It
some other powerful and pointed In
ducement that crowded the Garden Theatre q
midsummer night in way that it has not long
been crowded?
If there those who believe that New Yorkers
cannot be induced to go to the theatre a warm
night in midsuUmer they would have found refu-
tatton of their opinion last night by attempting to
get into the Garden Theatre Long before $50.
u hen the curtain went up on the scene of the
studio of the artist Karl Mahler, it real work
TO try TO get through the solid phaIanx which
messed itself in the rear Of the house.
To be sure Mr.. Savage did not make good his
threat that he would start his play. in which the
maIign but inevitable influence Of his Satanic
majesty is portrayed five minutes before the first
words of the players in Mr.. F1ske's production
were to be heard at the BeIasco Theatre. But
then, Mr.. Ffske had distinct advantage over Mr.
Savage His company had been for month in
secret rehearsal at Tarrytown, and Monday morn
ing's newspapers started notoriously industrious
manager into one OF the busiest thirty-six hours
of his career. Why, then. should not the audience
be forgiving if the curtain were held fifteen min
=
possible? The cast had practically been at work
the entire thirtysix hours from Monday
in an endeavor to help out Mr.. Savage in meeting
Mr.. Fiske's sudden attack as well as the crcum-
stances and the short time at his disposal allowed.
Not only the dSsenlblage forgying. it was
distinctly encouraging. Paul McAlIster. the first
one of the cast to appear found it SO, and so did
Marion Lorne, who played the part of Mimi, the
model, and Dorothy Dorr, who undertook the part
of the rich bankers wife. Why, then should not
--Tr <-S-y,
the sudden apparition of Edwin Stevens. the devil
of good fellow. and actor whom long expert
ence IN presentations along Broadway variously
called musical comedy musical farce, or what
not. had long made favorite with people who seek
the theatre be entertained? The storm was due
and. indeed 1t came, when Mr. Stevens. whose
figure and Ineaments lend themselves readily to
the representation of His Eminence of Hades arose
abruptly to disturb what the bankers wife gned
going to be a rather retired tste-a-tste with
her former lover. the artist.
All this insistent applause nothing how
ever, TO the uproar which followed the falling Of
the curtain on the second act. the scene at the
ball given by the bankers wife. Mr.. McAIlister
Miss Dorr gracousy retired and the centre
Of the stage to Mr. Stevens but though re took
a few calls alone the devil d speech he would
make. Then it was that the strong voiced phalanx
at the rear Of the orchestra and in the balcony
and galleries shouted: Savage. Savagei Savage!'
At last Mr.. Stevens and Claxtou Wistach. the
stage manager succeeded in dragging out between
them to the delight OF the audience. the tall form
of the Boston real estate man, but though they
howled for q word there nothing that Colonel
Savage would do except make his very best bow.