New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-20
THE DRAMA
NEW PLAY AT THE sTUYVEsANT.
"The Easiest Way.

800 nv a numerous assemblage that did not ap-
- 10 be either edited by its commonplace ethical
seli,-erance OF shocked by -he blatant Improperly
~ its theme Aphorisms relative 10 truth are
nsaiIy manufactured. and they have been supplied
IN rrofuse Hberality by the makers and purveyors
~ tainted theatrical trash The truth about Mr..
,Tsl+ers playa composition which. while not
s7ric-larIy clever in any respect, is both specous
q its reasoning and offensive in its substance
y-ould be anything but gentle. If fully expressed
p4spect for good taste, however enjoins decent
-eserye in discussion Of sexual immortality. The
or Of the play is the story Of episodes in the life
- . courtesan. The position assumed, by irnpiica-
ticn II not openly. by Mr. Walter. a professional
srar1atist and. apparently, ratified by Mr. Belasco
eIso ? professional dramatist and. still further a
theatrical manager Of great experience and inhu-
.rcs declares that 1.-The easiest way in which a
,-,rnsn can obtain and hold position the stage
I'D live in luxury off of it Is the way which lies
through the sacrifice of her chastity. And that
n,partn1eat tagged with the moral lesson
~ wonderfully fresh and striking!-that the easiest
r-sv~ will. last. prove to be the hardest way.
,5;,g in misery a wasted life and broken heart
THAT is the ethical meaning of the play. if it pos
..ssAs sny ethical meaning. and therefore IL Is a
n,s,- which can have other effect.-if it should
rrove successful.-than to confirm in many minds
bacause of the managerial source from which it
o-,ae an impression. already deeply rooted that
The Theatre is immoral institution 1t probably
will occur to some observers perhaps 10 many, that
rersons who obtain their subsistence by means of
might ha better employed than IN 0e-
flaming the means whereby they live. To declare.
&c incidentally is done. that the female members
If the dramatic profession who may happen to be
nursued with evil purpose. by wealthy, hcentious
men should repel such blackguards. is only to de-
clare platitude. To say that young women should
ne irtuous and should live decenty is only TO state
q truisra with which all young women familiar.
The assurance that youth in poverty.-particularly
female youths youth environed with trying cir
crrosrances. can scarcely be deemed novel con-
There
rss no need Of either a drama by Mr.. Walter or
6 sermon by Mr.. Belasco inculcate those truths.
The persons whether off the stage or connected
with il who live licentous lives. do so because
g rule they prefer 10 do so; not because Of those
1ions in the great white way by which
Mr. Belasco announces himself. in print, have
been so deeply distressed
The tale that Mr. Walter has told in The East
est Wav'- the tale that Mr.. Belasco has felt con-
strained 10 prornuIgste. as a warning TO Mothers
who love their daughters. and 10 young Girls and
young Boys who 60 out into the world and meet
its dangers can. perhaps. be summarized in in
offensive words The necessity of telling ii super
venes upon the expression of a critical opinion
relative TO the drift significance. and value Of the
play In which il is comprised. The principal per
son who figures in it, Laura Murdoch by name,
aged twenty-five. is dangler on the fringes OF
the stage and she is a courtesan. 1t is intimated
that early in life. she has entered vocation de-
s,ribed as the show business that while
yet in girihood she has gone wrong; subse-
ouenily got married: presently became a widow,
because Of the suicide of her husband; then re-
verted 10 ''the show business; and then become
the mistress of wealthy New York hoertine. by
name Willard Brockton. After two years Of ser
vice Brockton. in that capacity, she goes TO
Colorado. where. among the mountains near TO
Denver. she meets another profigate person. John
Madison by name, with whom she becomes
nsnaoured sand who becomes enamoured Of her
Laura Murdoch and John Madison explain their
feelings 10 each other. making Concealment Of
the fact that they have been living vicious lives.
The young Troman's summer season" IN g Den
yer stock company Gor the show business"
vfronrneut continues has ended. and the gay
Brockton arrives in Colorado to escort his para
rrour back 10 New York He mentions that he
has hired q house in the Riverside Drive in which
they are to dwell. and that he pur-
poses t. form 2 theatrical company in which, if
sire continues to consort with him. she Vill occupy
the first place This is crisis. but Miss Murdoch
feels that she cannot al once part with her Madi-
sen and she is constrained apprise her Brockton
Of this new Misunderstanding, however, that she
has not yet reached a final decision. EITHER for
STAY o. going" Madison and Brockton are then
confronted. and II is alleged that each feels
sort Of bro.heTly attraction for the other-a phe-
noensl feeling under the circumstances, since each
has tie best Of all reasons. s humanity is
stiruted not only for dislike but hatred. Madison
and Miss Murdoch left alone, TO discuss their
affairs. They agree to marry. The Past shall be
considered dead The Future shall be decent. A
rate in order that Madison. whose weekly stipend,
Is. newspaper reporter. is thirty dollars, may
accumulate enough OF money TO maintain his
spouse in luxury after their marriage No reason
is shown why they should not marry at once and
remain together:-onIy It is clear that. If they
had done so. a nasty play would have been
abruptly terminated. The ncentious Brockton
being apprised OF Their decision. accedes to IL,
merely placing his intimate knowledge Of Miss
Murdock at the disposal of her new lover, and
assuring him that the possession of her pre-
cious affections will require "a lot of money" The
hopeful Madison avows his fore-knowledge Of that
Interesting fact, and announces energetic pur-
pose TO accumulate the necessary cash. An arnaz-
aag agresrl=snt is then made between those two
men- II while Madison. in the far West is tong
Tor wealth, Miss Murdoch should seek the aid and
comfort other than pecuniary" of the festive
Brockton. in the far East, the young woman shail
be compelled notify Mr.. Madison of that fact:
while if Brockton should seek TO resume his rela-
tons with Miss Mu-dock he will communicate his
purpose to the said Madison.
Miss Murdoch returns TO New York and makes
an effort TO her living a theatrical per-
former. Brockton uses private influence TO thwart
her purpose, by keeping her out of employment
She dwells in a wretched clearinghouse. among
impoverished persons. She pawns her jewels, She
cannot pay the rent OF her abode Brockton sends
TO her another courtesan. a former associate, to
ascertain her circumstances and persuade her 10
return TO his service. in her former capacity She
resumes her occupation as a concubine. Brockton
dictates farewell letter which he commands her
10 write ana send TO Madison. places 500 on her
bureau, and leaves her execute his command.
That. after reflection she decides NOT do, keep
Hs he- decision secTet-so that neither Madison
Tor Brockton advised of it. A little time passes,
ana. on morning after debauch Brockton reads
IN newspaper that Madison has found gold. and
slss Murdock receives a telegram from her be-
uothed swain stating that he is about 10 arrive
and win marry her at once. Brockton now learns
tHat Madison has not been apprised of her inhdel
ny quarrel occurs. but Brockton is persuaded to
lesve TO Miss Murdoch the pleasing duty Of en-