New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-20

popular restaurant and make a hit'-meaning
apparently in order that she successfully re-
sumo her original and principal vocation. That is
1he play Of THE Easiest Way
1t is not. il cannot come TO good" To
look al such spectacle is TO be benefited; 1t
IS only to be disguised The mind of the observer
Is HIled with lOathsome images OF corrupt conduct
ana Is drenched with a sense of degradation. The
only really respectable person in the drama is
honest theatrical advance agent" a poor fellow,
VINO is trying to do his work well, and whose
presence. although the part has nothing TO do with
the play affords relief to its continuous por-
ralture OF evil motive vile behavior. That part,
Jim Weston, acted in a thoroughly able man
her by Mr.. William Sampson, actor trained in a
good school. following in the wake of that true
artist and humorist James Lewis. and lettering
the instruction he received from Augustn DAILY
and in the companionship of Charles Fisher. Ada
Rehan and Mrs. Gilbert. Mr.. Sampson is not a
leader; his abilities do not tend so far as known,
toward great characters; his style is little hard
and his acting is somewhat colored with a self
complacency which lessons its effect; 'but-he
is an artist: he can assume character and sustain
it; and he can indicate deep feeling.
The character Madison is distortion of
Nature The conduct of the man is improbabe.
to the last degree-and he is offered as natural!
Madison has lived a pro1igate life Profigate men
do not select their wives from the demi-monde
If they do not know much, they know better than
that An idoatrous passion might, perhaps. over
whem such a man; but, If it should do So ne
would never at the last. suffer the wretched cour-
tesan 10 be tossed back upon the dunghill Of de-
pravity. Such a Madison is shown to he
would have used his pistol. would have shot both
the liars who had tricked him, and very likely.
would have then shot himself.
Brockton is well drawn. though involved in an
absurd situation. He represents one of the V1lest
and most detestable classes in modern society
the vicious, ncentious. cynical business men, VINO
accumulate wealth by all Of acquisition
that they employ without being sent to prison.
and who live for the qualification of their sensual
desires. The theatrical community saw that ideal
made terribly actual in the late Richard Mans
fields great representation of Baron Chevrial Mr..
Joseph Kflgour's embodiment of Brockton was
truthful. and it was commendable equally for art
and truth. He has self-conrol. poise. authority
and the right kind of physique with which to look
the part He used hard voice, with nasal tones,
characteristic of this climate and this class. and
he sustained the character evenly and more than
well-so well. true, TO be revolving: a very
fne performance
+ The character of Laura Murdoch incorporates
innate selhshness, inordinate vanity contemplate
weakness, and a consenting disposition toward
treachery and vice. Her experience is hard and her
condition becomes pitiable. because woman IN
trouble is always ptiable; Yet she never awakens
pity. In all respects her conduct Is vile Miss
Frances Starr. who acted the part, possesses vi
vacity, energy. prettiness. and youth.-thougb the
youth 10 be the wane. The actress has
prohted. since last here by Mr. Belasco's in
structon. In him she has a teacher possessed of
hEo"leOSe OF OF the STAGE anu u tiio
art of acting. Her performance of Laura Murdock
showed consistency. variety, and sustainment.
while II neither sympathetic nor impressive.
There was q wealth of Photographic detail in 1t.
which is not authoritative acting, though suf-
fciently useful as ornament Childishness was
often denoted by the expedient of drawing up the
feet beneath the body when in seated attitude.
Miss Starr it should he added, was somewhat
dwarfed by contrast with the formidable person
atty and experienced art of her associa tes-notabIy
Nelson Hall.
The drama of The Easiest Way has been pro-
duced with excessive attention to detail The rooms
actual reproductions Of fact. Nothing in the
matter Of surface detail has been forgotten.-from
the rickety wardrobe, with doors that will not
close the disordered sheets OF music and other
truck pied top Of it. in the boarding house
chamber to the picturesque discreetly restrained,
disorder Of the opulent apartments. the signs Of
drunken orgy. and the artfuIly disclosed and dis
ordered bed. All that stage management could do
create and deepen the impression Of reality in
the presentation of vicious play, has been done.
The result is that e deformity is magnhcently
framed to look like nature. Many persons viii
see the play; no person will he the better or the
happier for having II. There is nothing in II
20 be enjoyed; there is nothing TO be learned from
# There is nothing in il but some technical merit
IN acting and the creation Of stmosphere,-and the
better those things are. when applied 10 Of
fensve subject the more reprehensible becomes its
theatrical representation: at the very best, only
another thing done well that ought not to have
been at all.
Society cannot exist without its laws, resting on
2 solid basis Of knowledge of the distinction be
tween right and wrong Scores Of nasty plays
have been written, upon the theory that anything
can be shown on the stage il only you tag II with
a precept and proclaim moral purpose. II Is all a
specious humbug. No lover OF dramatic art, no
admirer of Mr.. Belasco, can feel anything but
regret that he should give the authority OF his
great managerial reputation.-the greatest since
Augustir Days death.-aud the benefit Of his fine
ability and rich professional resource to the expo
sition of a drama that cannot do good. and that is
almost certain in its continuance,-by more and
more persuading the public mind TO tolerate dis
plays Of iniquity-to be productive OF evil. We do
not want 10 see. in the theatre the vileness that
should be summed we the beauty that
should be enuated and loved w. W
CAST OF THE EASIEST WAY"
John Madison EDWARD n ltopins
Weston. NHllarn sampson
Ts,ra Murdosk
Fife St Clar---.. Laura Nelson ifall