New-York tribune., 1909-01-17


Easiest Way
anoe at the Empire Theatre throughout the season
can confidently be expected. The attendance Is
large and the audience is alternately amused by
the humo- Of quaint character and affected by the
pathos Of touching situations. Mr. Barries story
IS not In certain important respects credible ana
his portrayal Of Scotch character. while expert ana
6rou sometimes beyond the limit OF legitimate
exagseration and becomes caricature- Inc dense
obtuIseness OF Shand. for example. is pushed 70 an
extreme extent. that. carefully considered. the
character IS offence 10 reason. But due allow
snce must be made for the assumptions Of ex-
travagant fancy: and when, a whole. the liable
peases. the observer need consider too curl
ously' the mechanism of details that have been
combined TO produce certain result The hrst act
this play Is of the most delicately humorous
dramatic compostons-blendng. In a whimsical
spirit and with much charm OF inventive skill. char
acter, incident, and language-that have been
made known our stage Miss Adaras.-though
more Irish than Scotch. as to speech,-gives q
quaint. steadily interesting, and at times really
touching performance Of the lass who has mo
charm" but who. a woman, is golden, all the
way through The taken by the patient
wife. 10 recover the feslty Of her dense, wayward
mate, Is wholly incredible, but has the sttribute
Of novelty. Mr.. Richard Bennett is acting IN q
manner that promises much for his professional
advancement Mir. Terrence presents true Scotch
man The production IS. beyond doubt brilliant
GAIETY THEATRE.
Mention Of the long run OF "Ths Travelling
Salesman" at the Gaiety Theatre was. by mad
vertence omitted from the summary OF theatrical
conditions given IN this paper last Tuesday. That
play has met with more than ordinary public favor.
and bids fair hold the Gaiety stage throughout
the Its commendabIe qualities rapid
action. character, and mirth. Its is do
served.
GARDEN THEATRE.
Mr.. Dixey. who is acting at tbs Garden Theatre
IN the play called Mary James Pa" has gained q
remarkable personal success, and one that ought
TO sufhce to carry him proaperousIy through the
present season He appeared at the Garden, as
Hiram Perkins, December s, and he vitalzed
one OF the singular conglomeratons OF i'm
probability and absurdtty ever set before an nteni-
gent public. Hiram Perkins. who has deserted his
wife and children, leaving them 10 starVe, returns
to them after interval OF fourteen years, and
IS then employed by his wife cook. bearing
an assumed name. and in that position he pres
emily wins his wife's forgiveness and renewed af-
fection. That preposterous story is offered. not
as poetic fancy, not visionary scheme Of ro-
nance, but a matter OF fact-as plain prose,
with the prosiest OF accessories Yet Mr.. Dixey
is able make his auditors at least wish that 1t
we're ali credible. He interests; he ar1uses; he
attracts sympathy; he manages TO impress the
auditor with sense OF Inherent manliness In the
scamp whom ne has undertaken to enlbody, and
the result IS a victory for experienced dramatic
talent. backed By pleasing personality.
GARRicK THEATRE.
Mr. William Collier acting in the farcicai play Of
.sThe Patriot" mads by himself and Mr. J. Hartley
Manners has beer received with so much favor.
az the Garrick Theatre. that intmation Is author
ized Of the continuance Of his engagement there
throughout the present theatrical The play
blends farce with sentiment the action of it Is
brisk, and the erect Of it is agreeable Mr.
Collier has for some time been known ss one OF
those fortunate players who appreciate the value
o< deu1r1re gravity in comic situations He gives
amusing his auditors end
making them feel better for having seen him
Racket THEATRE.
A play called The Vampire will be produced at
-hA FJackett Theatre tomorrow afternoon, January
Is i is said to exemplify and condemn the Gus
tom that some persons pursue Of preying upon the
brains OF others-stealing ideas and prohting by
them II seems rot impro obable that Mr.. Thomas's
fine play of The W1tching Hour suggested the
dramatic exposition OF this subject. Clever treat
meut of t ought TO ba productive OF pungent satire
and harmonious effect.
HUDSON THEATRE.
The engagement Of Miss Ethel Barrymore al the
Hudson Theatre will continue until the end OF
January Miss Barrymore is still representing Lady
Frederick ir Mr.. W. S Maugham's crudely con-
structed play bearing that name.-brought forth
here on November 8, last year.-and still pleasing
her followers by OF her sprightly, often
pio,1art and st youthful personality. That actress
has been uncornmoniy fortunate in opportunity and
she has been inpeed into prominence. but it Is
not perceived that her acting. although improved
by some fourteen years OF experience rises at eny
time above the level OF reputable mediocrfty IN
her portrayal OF Lady Frederick. Her wheedlfng
scene with the irritated oressnsker Is clever, by
reason of deft o; transparency and roguish
denoternenf Of g ulerriIy mischsyoUs disposition.
In serious emergencies her nature reveals no depth.
Great succes5 in acting has generally, been gained
in early life 1t seems not aniss that young per-
formers like Miss Barrymore. should be sdyised to
study instead of being hattered TO believe them
selves already perfect:
The a little way
6utte--and the bird ts the wing
|" KNIckER5ocKER THEATRE.
Miss FRITZ Schen can still be seen at the Kzicker-
booker Theatre. in the uusiesl play CT The Ptins
Donna and probably she will perform there for
the remainder of the present season The public
does not need 70 be spprtsed that Miss sehe1 is
fair TO and pleasing 10 hesr, NiNsscity daint-