The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-15

pof1o09 who make so mucu money out of tron that he cannot spend #, buys a library and makes a sort of literary Eden of it by putting therein two books of every kind: and the pair thus mated are not told to multiply at all. and 1t comes about that of the making of books there Is an end.
 Be that as 1t may, MT. Jerome wrote the comedy. It has structural weak ness in that 1t lacks by a little the reality that is needed even for light comedy. The failure of the husband in seven years taxes the credulity of the auditors. That Is the basis of the fabrication; If it's improbability can not be scondoned the story of the play is fanltily made.
 The tiny crevasse in the dyke of nat uralism concealed If he did not i'll 1t. with creation of character, dramatic enough to make the audience feel safe ly esconced upon the, high ground of healthful and pure comedy.
 The play Is replete with the Jerome humor. Once or twice Americanisms that have done duty before were heard; but Mir. Jerome Is so suspicious a character that It is parlous thing to say if they came from the box office or were said sarcastically. The humor
 
 tied and crisply put. There were more than one witty epigram and the sa- tire. though benignant, was sparkling
 The characterization was as clever as the lines: perhaps 1t was more artis- tic. Horace Greenieaf stands out as "a creation;" he Is unique. Robina Pennicuque. as some medicines are to be taken. ought to be pronounced only when 1t Is absolutely necessary. Is of e frr.4A hftf n nrfGfnal r1aN Of the type. The other characters, though less remarkable for unusual depart ures from the conventional. are drawn with individual effectiveness. the lines being clearly and sharply defined. and with delicate regard for consistency.
 The story of the play: Susan Gam bett, act. 15. is married to Jim Rafiie- ton, a young Engiishman, but four years older. serving in lowly station upon a man-o'-war. Before they can announce the marriage. which was clandestinely made, he departs. She doesn't know that he was knocked down and shanghaied and deported. They meet. after q separation of seven years In an inn In Wales. She. . wealthy heiress when they were mar ried in New Hampshire. Is now poor friend Robina whom Rafiieton. now be- come Lord Ratflbone. had met and half loved. The two women change charac- ters and Lord Rathhone knows not which is the girl he married. Then the story Is pieasurabiy tangled and unravelled
 As Susan Gambett Miss Irving play ed with facile strength and grace In her comprehension of the role she was intelligent and sympathetic and her portrayal was most effective. Hers was q character not comic, of course, but essentially of comedy and in It's presentation she employed an engag- ing disposition, vivacity and spright- liness. and personal appearance most pleasing. In the scenes where expres- sion of more serious and sonbre emo tion was required she played with arr tistic restraint and finish that did not, however. dull the Qulckening wit with which she acted Miss Irving's enun- ciation was meiodious and distinct.
 Willette Kershaw as Robina was ex- cellent. Miss Kershaw, pretty as she is. need not depend upon her looks, for she has notable ability. It was e charming part she had to play and she played 1t charmingly. She was quick ly transient in expression. of graceful rnien and attractive voice. Miss Ker- shaw at times let the fuisomeness of her spirits lead her into faulty exuber ance that tended to overacting in the more broadly humorous scenes. The defect was but trIhing and hardly de- tracted from the force of her perform- ance.
 AS an exponent of character Allan Pollock was not exceiled. Tn the part of that queer clam. CgeenIeaf. pitiabiy awkward almost to the point of de- formity superficialiy stupid and un- sympathetic. great. doddering dunce. vet within him great heart. ready wit, fine intelligence. high courage-in the portrayal of that difficult role Mir. Pol lock shone brilliantly. Tn his every word and gesture and movement he was eloquentIy expressive and the au- dience laughed great, wet laughs at him.
 played with fine sensibility. He has a pleasing appearance. well suited to the part, and with 1t he utilized good tal- ents for acting. His role was not re- mark able for the high color that Hilliard made of 1t the most possible.
 Darrell Standing was "The Doctor'' and his work was admirable. Though Mir. Darrell seemed once or twice, In moments of stress, to lapse from Welsh dialect Into fairly good English, his portrayal was unusually strong and Sympathetic. and his expression of voice and face readily convincing. D. W. Lyons. as Doiove, a minor charac- ter, acted artistically and with con- sistent force.
 Helen Weathersby performed we'll in the role of Elizabeth. The part was a light one of humorous vein but Miss Weathersby's contribution to the en- tirety was most considerable. Emily Wakeman was the other member of the company--there were but eight. Mss Walseman played Mrs. Mulberry and played it with rare spirit and intelIi- gence.