New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-26
MERE MAN. A PUZZLE
New Augustus Thomas Comedy
Produced at the Harris.
AUTHORS AIM CONFUSING
Effectiveness of Woman as
Fighter and Astrology as
Panacea Stands Out.

/
| Woman. we are told. is an enigma.
! Mere Man Is a thousandfold more so,
, II we are to consider the new comedy"
| by Augustus Thomas produced at the
Harris Theatre last night as representa-
tive of the species which is less deadly
| than the female. New York sees many
| a strange play during the course of each
theatrical season. yet II is doubtful II
| there has been a more puzZling exhibition
| of the dramatists art shown behind the
| footlights during the present season at
least than this latest work of Thomas's.
To tell the plot of this new play is
! almost as difficult as to analyZe fair
woman. II has fully as many angles
and fully as many curves, ali OF which
the art Of the dramatist makes entirely
alluring at the moment, but which lead
to no one central thread of plot. That, we
have been led to believe by those who
pr fess TO know. lie the primary demand
of every good play. and that is the one
thing which Mr.. Thomas seems TO have
| been determined to neglect.
When the comedy begins its devious
course, the audience is called upon to
listen TO an exposition Of the vagaries OF
woman suffrage as INDUCED in by GER
tain Of its most rabid votaries.
Here is the idea" the auditor can be
imagined as saying TO himself. The
dramatist is going to make comedy out
OF the cause, showing up the inadequacy
of mere man.
But no. Hardly has the dissertation on
~ al MI Al
suffragists waxed fast and furious TO the
accompaniment OF bright lines OF dia-
logue in which Mr.. Thomas is at his best
but the science" of astrology as a pam
acea for all human difficulties Is brought
forth, and an entire REIMBURSEMENT of all
previous notions Is necessary. From this
point on The entire play is a game of
battledore and shuttlecock in an effort TO
find out what it is all about.
Suspense is all very well in the best
regulated of plays. but when the auditor
is not certain whether he is seeing a
satire on woman's suffrage, in which the
ineffectiveness Of woman as a fighter In
the world Is assailed or thesis on how
to live happily ever after by knowing the
star under which your future husband or
confusion.
TIL trouble with this tale Of an astrolo-
ger who is an ani-suffragist and very
charming young woman, as played by
Crystal Herne, is that she is neither one
thing or the other. AS an anti-suffra-
gist, she might disclose the fallacies OF
her suffragist neighbors, which might he
good fun even to every one but the most
ardent supporter of woman's suffrage.
But when an audience is expected 10
take suffrage humorously and astrology
seriously and TO shift unceremoniously
from one state OF mind 10 the other, 1t
is going TO take a more volatile tempera-
ment than the average amusement seeker
possesses.
Mr.. Thomas is interesting In his play.
unquestionably, but 1t is an interest In
the dialogue. He asks that his auditor
bring his brains to the theatre with
him to appreciate the discussions OF the
two subjects upon which he has founded
his play
But II the requisite amount Of brains
goes with the auditor, there Is also pres
ent enough 10 see the incompatiollity or
the two themes used, and TO feel that. by
trying to include too much IN his play
Mr.. Thomas has confused HIS issue and
might as well have done nothing at all.
He would seem to have produced work
that will pass almost with the feetness
of the clever phrases that he has USED
to deck his plays manuscript.
OF the acting which bodies forth the
play much praise can be said Here Mr.
Thomas, who personally rehearsed the
PLAYERS, has done much more than In
the play itself He has taken actors and
actresses who, with the exception or
Miss Herne, have no widespread reputa-
lions, but who are an almost constant
pleasure. Among these De Witt {. Jen-
nings stands out with especial force for
a clear cut and forceful, yet well gradu-
ated bit of work as an unsuccessfuI
sutton for the hand Of the follower OF
the stars.
AS for Miss Herne, her sweetness, sin
certify and appealing art give to the as
trologer the sympathy which is not often
granted TO a follower Of her practices IN
real life. Only lack of variety In her
work prevents her from giving charac-
terization Of cameo-like attractiveness.