New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-21
THE DRAMA
Cameo Kirby" at the Hdckett
Theatre.

new Booth Harrington and Wilson
"idyl' was disclosed TO the New York
public last night at the Hackett Theatre.
II fulfilled the purpose Of it's writer's and
producers. setting forth. as Il did. the most
absorbing and delicious bill Of fare for the
matinee girl and her younger brothers and
sisters. They 60 to the evening perform
ances nowadays-at least. that sweet and
silky creature. the matinee girl. goes.
Here Is as gentle play as ever summed
Itself I'm the favor Of public yearning
for sweetmeats. II Is not a problem play
by any chance; it's love is decorous. and
the cheek OF modesty need glow with
nothing more Inappropriate than healthy
circulation And Yet the play is about a
Mississippi River gambler and his love.
away back in 1s5o-a gambler that no
well regulated family would exclude from
its chaste board. He has the voice Of
Hamlet the manners OF Chesterfield. the
taste Of Beau Brummel and the scruples OF
an evangelical bishop. His name is Eu-
gene. but he is commonly called Cameo"
Kirby. because. as one Of the charac-
ters saws. he is strung Up and down with
cameos like a Christmas tree with toys"
Last night. however. he wore but three OF
these sdornments The appropriateness
10 Louisiana in 1880 Of the reference 20
Christmas trees NAV stir some doubt. but
there can be no doubt OF the fitness for
that place and period OF the phrase. The
Joke is on me"
cameo Kirby is q part in which Mr.
Dustin Farnum is expected TO charm the
susceptible. Cameo is not dashinz and
airy like Arsene Lupin. and not for the
world would one suffer II to be supposed
that he is so much of a rogue. though II
may be wished that he were. But Cameo
Is quite as daring a parsonage. and he
quotes Shakespeare. He is accused OF
knavery most black. but he is quite limo
cent I'm the matter. And he falls in love
with the young daughter Of the man whose
death he is supposed to have caused and
whose estate he has won a. cards only for
the purpose Of preserving II for the rtEhtful
heirs. Tender hearts in the audience bleed
for him. although the loveliest eyes can see
in the first act precisely how the fourth
will end
Cameo Kirby was doubtless intended
20 be a pretty play for the holidays. II
viii cause no discussion excepting among
the young ladies. and they may compel II
70 run till summer The piece is well
acted. George Thatcher plays pathetic
old negro just as one would expect him 20
play II. He was well applaudsd. Miss May
Buckley. as the girl who loves the Chester
heldisn gambler. was as pretty and win
some-skilfui, too-as could be wished
Everybody played well. Mr. Gordon John
stone would be better II he spoke clearly in
the first act Miss Bucklsy's Southern &C.
cent and intonstion were agresabIy main
tanned. Some OF the other PLAYERS forgot
theirs after a few minutes Mr.. Farnum
did not attempt 70 be Southern. There was
not an agreement among the cast govern
ing. the pronunciation Of New Orleans
The name OF that fair city came over the
footlghts as New Orleens'' and New
Orleans" But almost anything may hap
pen IN an idyl. even an idyl OF Louisiana
in the early part Of the last century. Mr..
Harrington and Mr.. Wilson are OF late
fascinated by that region. as well they NAV
be II its professional gamblers were a.
gracious, romantic ana courtly as he Of the
canoes, and II its young ladies' are as
lovely and loving as Adele Randall Here
IS pleasing picture Of life that has
passed. manners far removed from those OF
the rude world Of trolley cars. subwsys and
express elevators. There Is not much more
70 the play. Even the teacup and saucer
PLAYS Of Tom Robertson had more dramatic
interest. were more like life. than are some
dreams Of dramatists at this moment let
when a star has 70 be fitted for the delight
~ his special and sdoring public-V hat
would youT
Last nights audience spplsuded loudly
and applauded long. In the wrong place Of
course. not At the end OF the last act. but
at the close of the one before that II Is
the Wsv Of New York And a speech was
called for and delivered II was received
with rapture. First night audiences seem
- think that actors speeches are quite as
important the plays. Tt Is a droll
world A W
CAST OF CAMEO KIRBY"