New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-03
CAST OF BILLY"
A REVIVAL AT THE AsToR.
Paid in Full.

The Aston Theatre was opened last night and
revival effected there of the but effective
drama called Paid In fulj." by Mr. Eugene Walter
That play first produced IL this city on February
p. 1898. at the theatre, has steadily held its
place upon the stage since that time and has been
acted in several other cties-everywhere finding
considerable popular acceptance. II minutely
and amply described in this column when first
presented, and il recorded destined long
continued success" Particular description of it is
not now necessary. Il cannot be considered pleas
ing play; the drawing is almost all in black and
white and that. in the pOrtrature of human nature
is always erroneous but. undoubtedly It possesses
substantial dramatic attributes: it is play, and
not a preachmen1.
When first performed he-e the principal character
in Paid in Full" Captain Williams retired
mariner. who had been a buccaneer. and who was
a hard. vulgar selfish. cruel man. with vet some
virtue in him.--was exceedingly well acted by Mr.
Frank Sheridan. who. by his splendid skill 4n the
use Of transparency.-the seeming involuntary reve-
lation of good through evil,-redeemed an odlous
loathsome scene. and even impaired il an at
mOspheTe Of humor and something like pathos.
That scene. practically is the substance of the
drama. cowardly scoundrel has sent his virtuous
and lovely wife 10 the man whom he has robbed. TO
intercede for him and shield him from punishment
for his crime There is a subtle. dubious intimatfon
that tho wretched creature is willing sacrifice his
wife 10 the RIGHTEOUSNESS of his cred.tS-. in order
90 save himself from arrest, imprisonment AID pub
lie disgrace. There is distinct ntmation on the
IS compliant this plan he will not hesitate 10
dchauch and dshonor her. lie announces the doc
trine that when a woman is good she is all good
and when she is had she is all bad.-a doctrine
which whether applied TO woman or map, is radi-
callv false hut which is exactly such a doctrine as
slIch a man might he expected 10 entertain. In the
c,,lloorv which ensues between the wife and the
creditor Mrs. Brooks and Captain Williams there
is = grossly offensive discussion OF the idea of n
sacrifice of chastity for pecuniary advantage: but
when the captain ascertains (what he already has
had abundant and conclusive reason 70 know that
the wife IS a good and incapable Of miscon-
duct he relents and he then pardons the felony Of
her hackguard husband
The part Of Captain Williams is played now by
AR William Riley Hatch who succeeded Frank
sheridan in II last season, and whose performance,
sfter several hundred repetitiOns. stil remains
clear fresh fluent and decisively effective After
,,,rb an example as that set by Frank sheridan II
,-,pld be difficult for any experienced actor TO 60
wrong Mr.. Hatch. however. provides feIcitous
touches 81 his own. and IS not mere imitator
.fhe distorted character ~ Brooks is represented
row nv Mr. Fritz Williams. a comedian whose
getting d rs been foEnd deliEhftuI. in those humor-
,.,z narts which enson outward show Of pecu-
liar ersvity-such V-as ifesstibiy ludicrous In
ne sosing ~ that exquisite artist John Sleeper
clarke Brooks is a seriols part.-that of thor