New-York tribune., 1911-01-31
ASTOR THEATRE
Holbrook Blinn in Edward Shell
don's The Boss.

Edward Sheldon &. said 10 have drawn
the hero Of his new play, The Boss, from
tn. character ~ q certain deposed leader
OF the Democracy In this state. but his
likeness may be found in almost any East
err commonwealth where the Irish-Ameri-
car has attained 70 political leadership and
control. Mr. Sheldon's play was introduced
a. the Astor Theatre last night, with Mr..
Holbrook Blinn and Miss Emily Stevens in
the leading parts II was received with the
usual evidences Of popular approval
Mr. Sheldon is A young man-only twen-
ty-fye or thereabouts-and a graduate Of
Harvard University. He is not unknown
10 theatregoers, for he has already written
two successful plays Salvation Nell and
The Niger" He shows In The Boss"
what he has shown in his other plays
that he Is a skltul portrayer Of character
and a writer OF clever dialogue. He has
also acquired q facility IN dramatic con-
structlon which promises we'll FOR the fut-
ure. In The Boss" he has not written
the great American play" that We have
been looking for. but he has constructed a
drama that is typical OF our political and
Industrial life. In his Michael Regan We
the political observation-disclosures re-
lentless energy, combatiyeness. loyalty 10
those who have stood by him and revenge
toward those who have done him injury.
FOR purposes OF dramatic construction he
has shown a reformation OF character that
has not been the experience Of most Irish
American bosses. but that was incidental
TO the love element In the play, which was
its weakest part.
The scene Of the play Is "one OF the East
ern lake ports" James i. Griswold. Of
C;risWold & Co. contractors. has been
driven 20 the wall by Regan. Emily Girls
wold Miss Stevens promises to marry
Regan. in order 10 prevent the financial
ruin OF her father But she IS TO he wife
IN name only, 20 which condition Regan
agrees. hoping that he will be able event
uallv 20 win the love Of the aristocratic
Young woman so FAR removed from him
Jv birth and training. Six months after
the wedding Regan and his wife are a. Ear
removed from each other as ever. Regan's
daspicabie political aud business methods
hiring d~gn upon him nothing Uut CON
tempt. Donald Griswoid Regan's brother
in-lsw. brings about a strike IN Regan's
Grain business, and ReEan f. al but de-
feated. He plans 20 transfer his business
20 Montreal and gives orders 10 fore lose
all his mortgages, most OF which ar Sc
cured on the houses OF poor people IN the
18th Ward" among whom Mrs. Regau has
spent a lie Of charity and good deed
In order 20 dissuade him from tie last
act Of terrible revenge Mrs. Regan offers to
become the boss wife IN fact. bat even
Reean rovolts at such sacrifice. Hence
forth his eyes are opened. Regan IS ar
rested tor assault on Donald Griswold. of
which lie Is NOT guilty. In the last scene
between him and his vile at the police
station Regan acknowledge the mistake
of his marriage. But Emily By t.is time
has been completely won over by her hus-
pand's change of mind and heart, and she
takes him 70 herself a. she has never done
before.
Mr.. Blnn played the part OF the Boss
with grim reality. lie used an accent that
Is peculiarly adapted 20 the character In
every s.tustion he arose to the demands
OF the moment. His sense OF humor was
delicious. and the tenderness IN the char
acter vas admirably brought forward.
Miss stevens acted with delightful frank
ness and charm a part not 80 conviucingiy
drawn az one would have wished sue
brought 20 bear upon Il the intelligence ana
sympathy with which she is gifted ana
she gave finished performance. not
u1arred by mannerisms-in the accepted
sense OF the tern--or aneciatlon She was
quite herself.
FIenry Weave" Wa successful as jane
= Griswold and Howard Cs;abrook id
we'll as Donald Griswod. hia son. H. 4
Ia Motto II especially deserving % COM
rnendation for his excellent impersonation
o., "Porly' Mccoy. Frank Sheridan was
satisfactory as the Archbishop and Wilmer