New-York tribune., 1909-04-27
MISS NETHERsoLE AT THE SAVOY
1.-The Writing on the Wall.

The old lesson that even for selfish reasons
benevolent altruism is wise be learned.-lf any
person wishes learn it,-frOm the lugubrious and
rickety play, called The Writing the WALL by
Mr. W. J. HurIbut which was performed last night
the Savoy Theatre. where Miss Olga Nethersole
beginning engagement acted a prominent part
in it. Miss Nethersole is nothing If not didacuc,-
seeming TO feel herself commissioned to exert
refOrmaory influence and generally to rectify the
social system Hitherto her ministratiOns have usu
ally been exercised in behalf of the Erring Sister
This time she illustrates the cruel and wicked
seIfshness of landlords, and makes known an
energetic protest against the misuse of real estate
in cities, The part in which she appeared. and
which she acted with her customary anectation,
nsincerity. obvious artiice and experienced skill is
that Of female philanthropst. resident In New
York. whose husband. wealthy and unscrup-
ulous. In fact insensate scoundrel is the
owner of much tenement house property
from which he derives income. but which
he has allowed to sink into ruinOus and dangerous
decay. Her insistent solicitation induces that nc
quistive landlord promise that he will order re
pairs upon his buildings and. in particular. that he
will renovate certain fire escapes one of his tene
ments in Houston street which she has discovered
TO be insecure but he contents himself with only
having those rotten ladders painted. That tene-
ment on the occasion Of a Christmas festival. is
consumed by fire and of it's occupants perish
in the flames. among them being the avaTtctous
owners son. a fine little boy whom the mother In
the kindness of heart has allowed to partici-
that calamity is overwhelming anguish for the be
reaved mother and CONSERVATION 10 the father
which does not. however. prevent him from plan
ming more rascality. At the last indeed. he Is
stricken with and repents Of his iniquitous
conduct this repentance. and. In fact. the en-
tire conduct rings false There are deathtraps in
New York. some Of them being theatres. and
warning as TO the imperative need OF vigilant and
continuous precaution against the peril Of fire Is
always timely Perhaps this new warning may
Inc NF tfE f-4T a 4
investiture IN this instance is not considerable New
Bantlines old Mysteries and Miseries OF New
York. in which Frank Chanfrau gave such hne
performance OF Nose. would sound louder alarm
and exploit a better system or dramatic machinery
It was comfort, however, TO see Miss olga Meth
ersole in the character of a good woman. engaged
in the doing of good deeds. and no longer female
freak such Carmen, top-full Of wickedness. ana
convulsed with the lowest and most evil passions
that af1ict mankind The actress has, at least
turned her attention to a worthy cause and she
may well exclam. with the old poet of The Castle
OF Incidence" "Blest be the hour I 'scaped the
Stygian crew. Her Hngual impairment to her
audience would be comprehensive II her
articulation We're distinct. II she would less
frequently address the back drop. and if she
would sufficiently control the emotions that con
vulse her angIished bosom to admit OF their
communication 10 her auditors. The subject Of the
play zone of place In the theatre is one
of vital Importance. Mr.. HurIbut has treated 1t
in such way make II an intoierabie bore
The wckedly selfish landlord is made also an adui-
terer and the philanthropic lawyer. introduced as
the wife tutor in philanthropy is presently pre-
sented in the unexpected guise Of her lover The
conduct of the plot abounds with impossible Incl
dents, but It would be a waste OF time to analyze
such fabric Much of 1t is more a lecture than
a pIav The charge OF criminal conduct in the
management Of real estate is brought against the
Trinity Church Corporation, and that charge Is
coupled with accusation OF hypocrisy in Its pre-
tension to religious principle. All that is old II
may however attract attention The acting
of Miss Nethersoe's associates in the performance
should be commended for zeal in the conduct OF
several bad parts that in particular. OF the IN
iqutous husband. There was much applause Tor
little reason.