New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-10-17
LONDON DRAMA
American Romantic Comedies
Acting Better than Plays.
LOndon. October !

EtfIute IUT OlOLouS pfODitm plays "a
French origin. Young Fernald'' is the
work of two American authors. Miss
sutherland and Miss Dix, who have al
ready supplied Mr.. ,dartin Harvey and
Mr.. Fred Terry with picturesque melo-
drama. The first night audience at the
New Theatre expected glimpse of Miss
Evelyn Willard masquerading as man;
but the play was too modern in spirit
for the introduction Of fanciful dis
g11ises. 1t reCOUnted d conflict between
A middle aged author and a young girl
who, from different points of view had
set their faces against marriage-the
man because he disliked fussiness. talk
and distraction and was an apparently
hopeless woman hater. the woman be-
cause she felt capable of doing a man s
work IN the world and was in revolt
against all restrictions imposed by SEX
Each was sUbiugated by the other be-
fore the fall of the curtain. and there
was a most interesting struggle OF tenn
peraments and principles before the
high-spirited girl was carried away from
The railway station in the arms Of her
strenuous protector.
1t was a high privilege for seasoned
playgoers to witness the fine perform
ance of Miss Willard and Mr.. Mckinnel
IN this romantic duel. Each imperson-
ated the character with vivid realism
and played cIeverly into the others
hand. There was first the harassed
author. out of temper with a loquaciOus
: nd sill
sister-in-Iaw. who insisted upon clearing
his desk and burning his manuscripts.
and when all his irritating relations were
bundled out of the lodge and he had
announced that no woman should ever
again cross his threshold there was
Young FernsId, the new secretary
knocking at the door and sweeping into
the room with a fetching red gown
There had been a mistake in the name
n man had been expected and woman
was not wanted on any terms. and Ger
tafnIv not on her conditions that clever
ness. companionship and efficiency were
not 10 be limited by the claims or SUI
nerior sex. As each took the matter
seriously there was no alternative FOR
the intruder's abrupt departure for the
nloOrs in q raging snOwstOrm, and when
search was made for her 1t was she VINO
rescued his younger brother and made
/ a series of disclosures of superior talent
and force The frOstbitten victim WITH
/ sprained ankle was restored 70 con-
I seriousness. an omeIet and coffee were
} i-nprovised when the servants had made
[ a mess Of a late supper. and the worried
author. inspired by her sympathy ana
good sense, sat up all night to dictate
/ TO her a luminous chapter Of his great
work. The details may seem tarclcal
| in print. but good acting by these
/ sharpIv contrasted characters made the
: scenes intensely real and interesting
With daylight the foolish relations re-
turned 20 the lodge TO find the young
girl asleep by the fire with the author :
,vercoat folded around her. and then the
chatter became discriminating and scan
daIous. the sister-in-law dropping Oh
into Mysteries and the snobbish aunt
LAYING down the law that there must OF
an immediate marriage, especially as INT
su1anuensis was connected with one o.
the blue bIooded Northern families Th'
sutton offered his hand TO the girl IN
perfunctory manner. and she scOrnfuI5
refused marriage because he was con
strained to confess that he had not beer
converted TO her ideas Of the equality OF
the sexes and the injustice of denying
10 women full rights as workers com
paniOns and artists A fine scene. II
u bich each explained with telling force
his or her pcejudices and principles
ended with her flight to the railway sta
ton. where in the last act she was rounC
as1eep in Il railway truck Argument
had failed. and there was nothing lefi
for il but a display of superior physica
force. The woman hater. converted and
CONQUERED in the course Of d single nlShI
clasned the non-resisting lady IN III:
arms 2rd started bravely for York Tn!
* the new and effective method o.
bringing down the curtain with gen
| AraI r11fTaw when nothing remains TO o.
said and nobody is wholly convinced
Mr. George Alexander's reversion u
romantic comedy at the St James's
even more exhilarating than MISS NIL
Iard,s adventures in Yorkshire d Arcl
of the Guards" also imported from
America where it had the advantage OF
,a+rioric motive in the heroines strus
/ gle between love and duty, is enlivenec
with ,lints of scarlet the rattle OF NE
and drum. the cheerful Clink of glasses
srarkling talk about petticOats. spies
and war and a soldiers chorus. sally II
Our ATTev.- Critics complain that The
stage conventions are old and stale, YET
no+ one Of them was prepared for tbs
; nistoI shot in the third act. which is the
heroine's response 10 D'Arcy's menace
If force. The stage needs complete
set of revised conventions and articles
nrecisely as literature requires fresh
collection OF metaphors and adject1ves
hit a pIay can be bright and entertain
ing even If letters are dropped on tbs
floor for the distraction OF jealous low
ers. or il strategic plans are nislaid II
the generals cloak. or il the miniature
~ a dotfns mother be mistaken for tbs
likeness of a rival The American play
with all its rusty devices. has a charm
ing love story and at least one dramatic
; situation: and il is a favorite kind oi
entertainment. with bravery Of uniforms
and picturesque eighteenth century cos
tunes. which has not been seen at tbs
St. James's for long time
Mr.. Alexander uses a delightful Dub