New-York tribune., 1909-09-22
THE DRAMA
JOHN DREw's NEW PLAY.
..rnoonstant George at the Empire Theatre.

afr
# is dihicult believe that there many such
sntiouarIes Judging by the comments TO he heard
IN iobbies and 50 on now o nights. But these
sok with memories can recall Ada Rehsn--actuslly
raosU her-and Mrs Gilbert. and James Lewis. and
John Drew playing night after night, year after
year in Shakespeare and adapted German farces,
directed by q manager who made several chapters
IN the theatrical history OF this city. And II was
iess-three four wears less-than twenty years
seo that John Drew the leading man in that
delightful company of PLAYERS. Who that saw
them can forget their triumphs in London when
they played their way into the heart of that an
clent capital? They won such praise there that
they could have remained the other side OF
,be sea for the OF their lives had DAILY so
chosen. As 1t was, he built theatre just out Of
Leicester Square.
when John Drew left Daily and set up for him
self as q star bsleful prophecies were rife The
wise men Who always know another persons bust
ness better than he knows il himself foretold the
young mans fsiluTe-John Drew has always been
young. and IS now. He would not last, they
said, separated from his old surroundings; he could
not succeed without Miss Rehan, and this, and
chat. He would be exotic in other theatres.
H would-but, behold him. He has had fifteen
ct sixteen successful seasons OF stardom; at the
beginning he secured following throughout the
country; he has renown and riches; and he
has come to all this by constant work: has made
FOR himself place apart: he has no rival He is
unique John Drew is a comedian who always
gives pleasure Ia the discerning. lie has in
mile halielNs but ne can play ms KINDS OF parts
better than any other erist on the English-speak-
lng stage The years his friends, and keep
the spring life high in his heart. His veins
vogng. Art and nature conspire within him
keep fast his hold upon the affections OF the
public.
Last night he appeared al the Empire Theatre IN
new play. ''Inconstant George" an adaptation
Il Partisan comedy by Robert de Flers and Gas
Ton Dc Caillavet. The play has been much modified
for American audiences. Il needed modification.
r needs more. decidedly more. There Is good fun
In It as e stands laughter and a champagne
sparkle II gives John Drew all the chance he
wants for his gentlemany dash. Again. Of course,
ne is the glass OF fashion Again, Of course. he Is
the squire OF danes. But what would you? No
one else can DO what John Drew does az his best
hale so well he does it. And here he is az
his best. He has quality that would =
play. anr has saved them.
The story Of the play is this: George Bullin.
Partisan OF fashion, is more than susceptible
70 the charms Of The enchanting sex. Even bon
srnites him. A dainty gown, adorable back
rsir. suggest the captivating possibilities in
the possessor He imagine the loveliness Of the
unknown owner OF glove. n. George is a man
Of taste, = beau Who cannot stay out Of love ten
minutes. Let him behold pretty face, his heart
IS IN shreds. Every little while he meets the only
woman he loved. She Is always another
woman. To tell the truth this man Bullin in the
French original, Is q roue. il is not with the
French play that the Empire audience is concerned.
Fe-e George is but an inconstsnt charmer. and
~ ladies he loves have q little different quality
fg the one represented the boulevards So much
20 better George is butterfly with witty mind
b is changeable like the wind 10 one love con-
s.ant never. He is never of with the old love be-
fore he Is on with the new. Therefore, 70 four
fair ones he has plighted his troth In some con
steruarlon he fees from the lot FOR holiday at
watering place in Brittany. And there, of all
places, he meets four more Instead OF besieg-
me, he IS now besieged by the quartet by each in
tCrn- by the four together He can no more make
up his mind than he can lift himself bv his boot
u 1Ir0 he Evrear Ard
how convincingly he vows, In the bewilderrnent of
nassed opportunity solution Of his dilemmaa
presents itself
+ comes through young girl who loves him and
whom lie learns TO love by very curious processes.
The fact Is he in love With her for some
time before he knew e. For. indecisive character
that ha has, he cannot make up his mind without
shock Fe suffers from '.enemIa Of the will
power It is said OF him that he has six neckties
- one .1es that his head Is small there is no
room 70 catch cold tn it, But these things are
said 5y the ervious, ny women ne has Tilted. Moth
ING 'hsr IS said Of George quite hits him of. He
Is decidedly original IN the end he chooses the
Young girl because she chooses him She has
opened his eyes Perhaps his mind. too.
Here, then Is John Drew part" There
other John Drew parts in which one prefers him,
say whom he mixes his fun with seriousness
Hot mock seriousness. but real when he shows the
steadyinE hand along with the Iightsome touch.
rev GIaEwrghts know how 10 give actor a
chance # that sort; in any case few do it. Mr..
!.
la-s play from the French comes his way and
Do makes the most OF f.
iA" play IS amazingly brilliant. il spots
amazingly depressing. Fer the most part its dia-
1ogNf Is constant Joy. But there moments
FHsn 'e play drsgs, there are others when il is
TOO suggestive" oy half and there Is \ uretched
I've minutes when the young girl invents 2 tale of
hel own shame. thinking 10 win the buhbling
9eoIse ly 81 because she had once heard him say.
I'D silly hour. that be never seemed able TO love
anyone whom he could respect
This sort thing, this invented confession Of
me sr IS Ike dashing cold water over the audi
@noe lt IS poor and unnatural contrfyance. and
quite -nT-orthf- Nor does the appearance Of a
muse hall singer IN the bedroom Of inconstsnt
George serve any other purpose than the sugges-
non - rlbsldry- The rests enticinglv on
George bed while she awaits his return 10 supper
Nci--rE happens except that she goes of in a
o1oze7n when George appears. Then the young
E7rl climbs II - the window, but, Of course I'm
quite theatrical innocence But she, TOO. leaves in
anger over there France the anger of both
women vas due quite another cause than the
ole which the Empire players last night attempted
70 make plausible but without any sort Of success
= thar endeavor
The other portions of the play were excellent and
were capitaly zone Miss Mary Boland made
decided hi'- She had difficult part and she PLAYED
It admirably
The comedy needs condemnation Some Of its
INES should be stricken out altogether. The piece
would be funny enough without them. II is pity
mar Air Drew, or his manager. or somebody in
tAorty did have the discretion 10 perceive this
H1t II Is idle 70 expect everything
L2e hr!liarCv Of tho dialogue deserves all praise
~ a0alfer s0 gifted needed no such sauce some
~ The scenes are seasoned with. John Drew doesn't
reed II; Miss Bolsnd doesn't need II: the public
0oes1t need or. II il does. should he denied t.
The n'av VyoaId DO much better without it. As for
SOM I'f"T fe never better
GASP al- ..I,,coNsTANT GEORGE