New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-08-25
THE DRAMA
Douglas Fairbanks Opens the
PLAYHOUSE in New Comedy.

The preliminary season OF the Playhouse
In West 18th street opened last night with
the production OF n new comedy entitled
"A Gentleman OF Leisure" with Douglas
Fairbanks IN the principal role. Through
out the four acts OF the play NJ. Fairbanks
was applauded generously for the manner
in which he rendered the character OF
Robert Edgar Willoughby Pitt, the gentle
man OF leisure
At the end OF the third act there were
so many calls for Mr.. Fairbanks and the
other principals Of the cast that he came
before the curtain and made brief speech
thanking the audience for the reception
given to the comedy
The play was written by John Stapletor
and p. C. Wodehouse The plot is laid al
a gay dinner in the bachelor quarters OF
Pitt who IS celebrating his return, after
an absence OF two years in Europe. An
actor friend OF his is being ridiculed on
the manner IN which he depicts on the
stage professional crook, and Pitts criti-
cism results in a bet by which the young
man agrees 10 break into q house Just 70
show that there is no art In H.
The friends depart. and Pitt begins u
dream OF a girl whom he saw during the
ocean trip. but whose Identity remained
unknown TO him. He turns out the lights
to conceive clearer visions. and a few sec
Onds later a real burglar Is seen entering
the room. AS he passes Pitts armchair
the young man jumps at him, and after a
struggle overcomes the burglar.
Spike" is surprised az the treatment he
receives from Pitt. who does not call in
ia Irs. u 10 drin Il
a smoke. They talk about the art Of
burglary. and Pitt bluffs Spike into be-
lieving that he has broken into big bank
in England and has committed other well
known robberies.
Finally the professional crook thinks be
has found the real master and when Pitt
proposes q little excursion the same night
% realize his bet Spike offers 70 show
him an easy house. while Pit promises 70
give him pointers Of a real craftsman.
The second act shows the house Of big
Phil" Deputy Police Commissioner. He
leaves his daughter. Mollie, who begins to
dream of the man she had seen during d
voyage. and then retires 20 her room. Pitt
and Spike" enter the room, and suddenly
the lights are switched on and Mollie con-
fronts them with a pistol She recognizes
Pitt, as he does her, and Pitt gets out OF
the ticklish situation by telling her that
he had seen burglar entering the house
and had followed him with Lis friend.
Big Phil returns unexpectedly and recog-
nizes Spike" as a crook. Big Phil how
ever. agrees not 20 have them arrested. hut
forbids Pitt to see Mollie again.
Pitt and Mollie meet ~ country house
Unfortunately for Pitt he has Spike along
with him as a valet. and Spike cannot
resist the temptation 70 steal a valuable
necklace. Big Phi" appears and tells
his daughter that Pitt is a crook. AIollie
hnds him with the necklace IN his hands
but he refuses 10 surrender il to her, say
ing that this would be equivalent 10 a
confession.
The last act shows Pitts quarters again.
The house is surrounded by the police,
while he is desperately thinking Of a way
10 return the necklace. Big Phil comes
TO have him arrested. but Molllc appears
and manages 70 put the necklace into the
bag of the woman 70 whom 1t belongs.
Pitt proves through his friends that he is
no burglar.
Elmer Booth as Spike pleased the au-
dience and George Fawcett, as Big Phil
shared in the applause. Ruth Shepiey, as
Mollle. Won the audience from the start.
Arthur LaceDy's "Spernie,' an English
bar0net. was well received.