The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-04-12
WHAT VASTEFUL WIFE CAEDO
SHE'S TINE nome WRECkER IN
THE SPENDTHRIFT."

rive Acts &C Porter RPSWne6 New PlaS
Carry weIl-some Attractive Persons
IN New TOrk-Eamuna Breese the
sssslsaad Nhe Mad an Extra Burden.
The fate Of q frivolous wife and the
result Of extravaganza might have served
very we'll for the subtitle OF The Spend
thrift. which had in FIRST New York pro-
dnction az tho Hudson Theatre last night
IL was q piece with Q moral. with not a
little sermonixing on some Of the current
follea OF the day and not without a some
what evident attempt To draw a strong
leason in addition 10 furnishing enter
tainmont.
Porter Emerson Browne. who IL also
the author Of "A Fool There Was has
employed an interesting theme and has
handled IL not without skill. That he
has enforced the moral he started out To
impart there IL not much doubt. hut u
IL also clear that he has not managed
TO hold at all times the interest of his
audience.
The first and second acts are made
strong because he has outlined with
considerable clsverness the character OF
the people whose life he has undertaken
10 set forth. He built 80 thoroughly
well. in fact. that the other two come some
what in tho nature % disappointment.
lie has taken a household Of which
there are no doubt many IN New York
Richard Ward. the husband. Is on the
verge Of bankruptcy. to which hs has
been brought through the extravaEanc~
OF his wife Frances She has no idea of
money and her husband has endeavored
10 satisfy all Of her longing for fine clothes
n r haaNaaaHaIl hgRmSs ~
working with all OF his energy and in
tensity
When he finds out that he can no longer
20 on he appeals Ia his wife to help him
by denying herself some Injuries. She
profeeees a great deNtre Tn aid him. but
she displays such wofIIl incapacity and
such a aelfshness that he sees there II no
hop and abandons effort
These two characters Mr. Browne has
drawn with precision. and through the
very capable acting - Edmund Breene
and Miss That's Makrans they are made
real and sympathetic percentages "a We
ind them IN the two first acts.
The third act 10 placed in Mrs. WdTd's
bOtdOir She haa managed 10 get some
money. Her husband. mi-trusting the
source. comes into the room and com
pels her TO call n certain rich young man.
SuferV ThnTHT. To come 20 the room.
The man comes IN answer 90 telephone
message and II confronted by the husband.
This might have been made an act Of
great strength. but Il seems 80 wanting
in an excuse for all that ~ done and all
that II said that while u may not be want
ing in a certain mild interest IL IN lacking
IN force. The final act IL merely added
Ia make happy ending IN which the wife
shortcoming and she and her husband 90
out Ia begin life all over again.
In working out the story Mr. Browne
has introduced some very pleasing char
acters. Mrs. Wdrd's sister. CI1ricS. who
has been brought M with much the same
did contrast in simplicity and earnest
ness. A. played by Miss Gwendolyn
Piers she was made a most likable Mite
creature
9rigAf. ~ played by T. Daniel Frawley
The character. however. affords but few
opportunities. Such ~ they are they are
taken full advantage Of by this actor.
Jack DevereauX plays the part 81
Monty a type 81 young man who might
have some good IN him II he was put To
the test Mr.. Devereaux gives the char
acter such an easy. convincing AIR that
Won are quite glad TO hear AsRf OTefcksa
utter her approval 81 him ~ a husband for
CiTuCt.
This old aunt. Grofchsn jams. with her
hArdheaded way 81 accomplishing things.
her brIsqueness and withAl kindhrarted-
ns'es. was made One 81 the real peoplp
10 the play through the excellent acting
81 Miss Matte Ferguson.
The great burden 81 the play however
rested upon Mr. Brecss and Miss MaRrAnp
a. the husband and wife Mis= Magrane
looked beautiful and played with delight
full ease and grac- the part Of the spoiled
luxury loving woman. MIR. breers was
forCible throughout. hut a. he was not
entirely familiar with the role. having
only rec-ntly begnn rehearsin u. he was
not always entirely at ease. Ia spite Of
this however hs managed To give an ele-
ment 81 interest Ia some 81 the long
syNeche- m the second act that might
easily have dropped into mere deClama-
tory summari sing.