Los Angeles herald., 1910-09-13
WILTON LACKAYE SEEN
IN A PROBLEM DRAMA
The Battle Still in Progress
When the Final Curtain
Is Rung Down

IneaIer ldSL night LhS "utliOiB CiS'S
land Moffett, has written a play around
Wilton Lackaye, an actor of splendid
schooling who is known for many
sterling creations.
The story of the play concerns lthe
adventures of John j. Haggleton, the
richest man in New York, in his quest
for his long lost son, during which he
is brought to Lung block" a tenement
district notorious for its insanitary con-
ditions, and of which he is landlord.
Finding here a chance to recover the
possession and affections of his son,
Haggleton is persuaded by a group of
reformers to remain incogntto and pen
niless in this district their purpose be-
ing to make him realize the crying
need for reform and imprisonments by
making him suffer through actual con-
tact, with conditions brought about by
their absence.
Haggleton however, proves worthy
foeman to conditions as he finds them
and successfully demonstrates that no
small part of the blame for unsatisfac-
tory conditions rests with the tenants
| themselves. Moreover, in his efforts to
begin life all over again, he proves
his thesis that brains will win out
| in any surroundings" and in organ
izing and getting under way tre-
mendous project he wins the admlra-
tion and regard of his son. When the
| latter, one of the most Jealous or the
reforners, discovers his relationship to
Haggleton, he is inclined to place his
growing admiration for the man above
| the arguments of his colleagues, VINO
| disapproVe of the millionaire's methods
| and his past. The young mans fiancee,
however, sides against him, and for a
while there is an intense struggle be-
tween the opposing forces. The call
| IoP tIa RVaIIU fT.iIlmnhS and cir
cumstances so occur that no one is tho
loser in the end.
Lackaye has done more in 1.-THE
Battle for the author than the latter
| has done for him. 1t is his subtle ana
practiced skill that gives strong IN
dividuality to and makes an interest
| ing and we'll sustained character study
| of John ]. Haggleton, a millionaire
whose stern methods of business have
won him power but cost him the en-
| during Joys of life, not any inherent
strength in the drawing.
"The Battle" is the second problem
play that is said to have drawn its
| inspiration from the business career
of John D. Rockefeller and his asso-
| oiates as Miss Tarbell has drawn it,
NUT in neither dramatic reality nor
consistent direction to an end that sat
| isfies is it the equal of Charles Klein
"The Lion and the Mouse"
Problem plays have little satisfac-
ton, particularly If they are vehicles
of a preachment, as in the case of '"Ihe
| Battle" If they do not at least hint
at a possible solution, If it is no more
| than the golden rule. But In Moffet S
plav there is no suggestion of a moral
| no CLEAN of hope that earnest men can
i find a way to soften the cruelties arls-
| ing out OF the never ending struggle
| between greed for power and the light
| fya Inn frQY m 7 o.
| of the Weaklings of humanity The
| Rattle'' is a series of dialogues between
protagonists in which they accuse each
| other of vices and weaknesses, and IN
| the end are no nearer reallzatlon OF
where the wrong In the social ana
economic system lies.
| Sometimes great skill in play con-
| structioin, with a resultant gripping
| realism, will excuse the absence or q
| motif on the score of art" but Moi
fett's plav is without that justification.
! Things happen in it when you most,
| not least, expect them, and one can
anticipate from it's business" what to
| look for. as for example when Moran
| TOYS with his pistol one knows why 1t
| is to be used and upon whom.
Nevertheless, while the play leaves
the battle in progress at the end, 1t Is
| full of human interest, and Mr.. Lack
| aye's character drawing Is clear ana
| logical. A tawdry scene in which
| fallen woman fails to win the man or
her choice by wanton devices. and,
failing, returns to a life Of vice. is not
at ali germane to the story and might
we'll be spared.
The Orpheum bill presented yester-
day for the first time is exceptionally
| long, but, taken by and large, Is
worthy. Two of the holdover acts seem
to please more than any of the new
coners, although the latter are of
! high order
Music lovers will find much to in
terest them in the Operative Festi-
| val" presented by a large and more
or less meritorious cast Selections
from various we'll known operas are
sung with success. The opening chorus
! is taken from Balfe's bohemian Girl
| Other selections which please are "The
! Gvnsv Love Song from "The Fortune
| Teller" made famous by Eugene cow
les in years gone by, trio from II
Troyatore." the sextet from Lucia, !"
"The Last Rose of Summer" with a
| violin obligato and a violin solo by
Eula Bruhnelle. Mr. Pellaton, Mr.
Schult and Miss Seifert each of whom
possesses an excellent voice, are heard
to advantage.
7 q. Nugent presents something new
in comedy in his "The Squarer." Mr..
Nugents quiet manner and gentle
manly "jag" make a lasting impress
sion.
When Edward Flanagan and Nicely
Edwards open their act one Is led to
believe they will present nothing out
of the ordinary. But before the act is
we'll on its way to a conclusion the
comedians score heavily. BY the time
the curtain goes down on their turn
| they have made hit.
The Harvey De Vora trio are dane
ers who can dance, but their singing
is not above the commonplace. John
Dough, a diminutive negro, helps make
the act success.
Holdover acts are '"The Police In
spector," an exceedingly powerful dra-
matte sketch; Stepp, Mehlinger Ss King,
whose popularity seems to be on the
increase; Lou Anger, "The German
Soldier" and the tAbloid musical com
edy, "Toyshop Pasttimees."
Joseph Galbraith took Seattle by
storm Sunday ct the opening of the
new stock company there under the
ioint Morosco- Baker Belasco manage
ment. The production was "Old Held
elberg," and Galbraith's Carl Heintz
is ranked among the finest character
izations ever given in Los Angeles.
Mr.. Morosco received telegram from
George Baker yesterday in which it
was stated that there were two packed
houses at the two performances Sun
day, and the outlook was good for an
! exceedingly prosperous season