New-York tribune., 1909-09-21
Robert Edeson in New PLAY az Criterion

Mr.. EdesOn has taken to farce which NAV he
good for him. He was in some danger OF becoming
suited by strict adherence TO his old form. Mr..
somerset Maugham. who turns out plays with
amazing facility. and NAV surpass in due time the
late Clyde Fitch's record for numbers supplies
MN With the material with which he makes his
chdHse OF style. Mr.. Maugham's play is adapted
rom french OF by Grenet-Dancourt 1t is called
The Noble Spaniard" Furthermore il is called
victorian farce presumably for the reason
.at ls scene is laid in the period OF Victoria of
i-Heiahd' not Victoria of Spain. But the Vic
Ioilah period was very long one, over six dec
sdes the application Of the phrase has he particu-
lar sgnihcance. Had it been mid Victorian" it
would have afforded a better clew Lacking that
approach to precision in the subtitle or descrip-
i've phrase, the spectator derives enlightenment
from the costumes and the playbill. The costumes
are surely mid-Victorian and the playbn gives
the date as 1850
Ihe scene is BoulOgne where the FOlkestone
Ooa's prlhs many British passengers. The char
acters In last nights play at the Criterion Theatre
are CHIEFLY British. They put to strange plights
Oy d grahdee OF Spain This is the Duke of Her
hahos' devi-may-care fellow who makes love
"here II suits him. in spite OF all obstacles and
propreues lie Is enchanted by a young Scottish
WIDOW Marion Marine He will take her by storm
as ms countryman. QuixOte. charged the windmill
but the fair one has other views. Besides she has
o'her admirers. She conceals from Hermanos hop
ing 10 repulse him, the fact that she is widowed
she tells him of her husband IL the latter were
yer IN the flesh. Hermanos vows by all his grandee-
'''p mat ne Will XIII the husband and then, having
made Marion a widow. marry her out Of hand. lie
thinks he sees his hated rival in every man who
comes his way. and, of course, here is shere the
Iar'e enters For the raging grandee, seeking
whomsoever he may slaughter. has a pretty list OF
candidates for the killing and is always involving
others in troublesome misunderstanding Every
body becomes jealous of somebody, and such con-
fusion OF error arises. in the fine old-fashioned
way. that II is easy to foresee the only solution
The Spanish duke must marry the widow and give
peace 10 all the other aching hearts as we'll as 10
his own lie wins. OF course Mr. Edeson is the
duke And OF course he goes through any
Der Of troubles before he discovers that It need
less to kill anybody. that the unworthy Marine
IN his grave long before the charms OF Marion daz
zied the eyes of Spain's proudest and most ardent
son II ever woman was in such humor won. then
the play will do $ n reflection Of nature which Is
not encountered every day.
The grandee proves his love He leaves not the
shade OF doubt on that point. And his enchant-
ress. vowing she will ne'er consent consents
Mr.. Edeson proves TO be a capital actor of farce
OF romantic farce. II the term may be used From
the instant when he appeared upon the scene last
night the play pulled together. The actor seemed
TO bring success with his first gesture his first
line His audacity was superb. For this Spauiard
is the most audacious person that be imagined.
He is creature out OF Zendaesque romance But
matter. His audacty. his passion his grace
his dash, his most presentable person. win every
one even they astound every one. Mr.. Edeson
played this part better than he has ever any
rest OF his days.
Miss Rose Coghan, always welcome player IN
this city capital Miss Gertrude Coghlan was
the young widow who erchants the Spanish
grandee. She entered far into the spirit 81 the
evening, which. be il remembered. is the spirit of
farce Of the most aughable !mprobabnities. Miss
Ann Mur3ock as a simpering. mincIng affected
girl in her teens was very good. And Cyril Chad
wick as the captain who slew dozens on the Ira
waddy and faintS when his sweetheart scratches
her shin on the rocks contributed "A quiet but con-
Nncing part Werner Charges az an elderly aud
blondeTing husband deserves mention But every
member OF the company played well.
And those mid-Victorian costumes lend them
selves well 10 farce. Even the mid Victorian man
hefs can be bent that way. In one respect though,
the provder Of properties" forgot the period ~
The play. He had electric lights in candelabra In
the last act Electric lights in 1870,
Sometimes the lines OF the piece draw rather too
near the French original in their Euggesiivenens
This is unnecessary. Was there nobody 20 repress
this tendency when che play in rehearsal? 4
little more rehearsal would not have harmed some
moments Of this most laughabe production. There
Is laugh every other minute. And the best of Il
all is that Mr.. Edeson is revealed a new and nc
complished comedian But why did he make a
speech? Why do nrst night audiences insist on
Speeches from actors? This procedure is not IN
tended 10 be farcical but usually Il is
CAST OF THE NOBLE sPANIARp.
The Duke roher t-1..o,