Omaha daily bee., 1909-03-20
At the Theaters
House of Bondage" al the Boyd.

SA
Miss Florence Roberts and company in
The House of Bondage a drama in
three acts, by Seymour Obermer; under
direction of John Cort. The cast:
Sir Vincent Meredith. .....,, Arthur Forrest
Lady Joan Meredith, his wtfe.....":.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. Florence Roberts
Paul Bertrand, a London surgeon...n..
The Duchess of Banff.... Ann Warrington
Gwendolyn, Countess of Darlington
MARY btilIahu
DIR. Roland. a Swiss country DOCTOR.
Hallet Bosworth
Cairns. butler at Paul Bertrand's.....;,,
Harry Glpps
Miss Roberts comes to Omaha this season
with q play that has much dramatic
strength, several very tense scenes and
quite a little that is of passing interest
born principally of a curious desire to know
how the author is going to manipulate the
figures on his triangle, He does it by max
ing 1t a quadrangle and setting two men
and two women to pursuing each other
around the four sides. At the end none
Of the sides seem to have been shortened
nor has the sum of the angles been changed
in any regard. 1t has been settled, though,
that the English divorce law, which per-
mits a husband to divorce his wife for in
fidelity. but makes 1t a condition that cru
city be added TO the other charge before
the wife can divorce her husband, operates
TO prevent Lazy MtItuNlh rum lIcSilB vi
self from Sir Vincent in order that she may
wed DR.. Paul Bertrand, who loves her and
whom she loves. Sir Vincent. however.
kindly promises TO use his Influence as
home secretary in tine incoming cabinet to
secure the passage of a law which he will
draft, to the end that Lady Joan may have
her freedom. In the windup 1t is not made
clear that Sir Vincent will wed with the
Duchess of Banff. who has been on terms a
little more than friendly with him during a
long, long time, of which condition the wife
is cognizant, as well as the doctor. and
the duchess and the proposed cabinet min
lister are equally aware that their affair is
not their secret. It is a peculiar comblna-
ton of family and personal relations. that
is developed. and suggests the thought that
Cupid doesn't always do his work well.
An element OF novelty. that isn't exactly
novel. is offered in the subplot. Sir Vim
cent is troubled with a growth at the base
OF his brain. His life depends on its re-
moval, and DR.. Bertrand IS the only sur
geon in all the world sufficiently skilled to
perform the operation. After taxing the
doctor with loving Lady Meredith, and
receiving assurance of the fact. Sir Vim
cent proceeds to place himself confidently
in the hands of the surgeon. and later adj
mits that he owes his life 20 the man he
would choose last Of all to be under any
obligation to. As a dramatic incident 1t
has certain momentary attraetivencss
Miss Roberts. as the wronged wife.
presents first the picture of the woman,
desperate and willing to- throw herself into
the arms Of the man who loves her. His
words give her strength. and she de-
velopes by remuneration a peace that sup
ports her until her husband turns again
to his mistress, and then she revolts-
Whatever OF logic may be said to- sup
port a woman through such a trial is
strongly brought out. and through il all
Miss Roberts presents a convincing picture