New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-08-23
18th ST. THEATRE OPENS
"The Master of the House," by
EDGAR James.

be the master of one house you cannot
be the master OF two and get away with
It. This idea is expounded and proven
beyond doubt by Edgar Jamess COMEDY
drama" The Master OF the House
which was presented last night for the
first time in New York at the Thirty
ninth Street Theatre.
Frederick Hoffman. the first citizen OF
Bellevile finds that he has tempera-
ment and must flee away from home with
his wife's paid companion. There Is no
particular complaint against his wlfe'
except that she is always the same.
After all. that is rather trying. Hoh-
man is about sixty years old-in the first
act-and he and his patient wife have
lived comfortable. respectable, Srouchy
life for about twenty-five years In one
sense Hoffman almost deserved holt
day. and certainly Mrs. Hoffman did.
He. however, was the one to take II. Ex-
planning. slowly and with blood-curdIlhs
deliberaticn, 10 his wife that he Is tired
OF being shut up in Eelleville with her
that he has lived long time without
ever having had his happiness" and
his wings and fy away. he puts on his
hat and walks off with Bettina. the com
panion whom Mrs. Hoffman has just dis
missed for flirting with Harry. the grown
son OF the house Bettina is. OF course,
designing young woman
The outcome Of all this is something
dreadful Hoffmans best friend. Aston,
dos 10 ft1 nd
stupid" and IL would be hard 10 improve
on this summing up OF the situation.
The end Is that Hoffman returns 10 his
former home, which has been moved to
New York suburb during his absence.
He is forgiven. Of course. His wife says
let us fight for the children and his
daughter pins carnation on him. But
as Hoffman looks at least seventy-hve IN
the fourth and last act. and seems TO be
almost ready for his wheelchair. the con-
ciusion IS that the wild oats OF ones
second childhood yield worse crop than
pleasant memories.
The first act of this play. which is the
first dramatic output or It's author, was
promising. scene between Hoffman
and Aston, on New Years Eve, was de-
cidedly mellow and had grace Hon-
mans declaration 10 his wife OF ms
strange belated love had novelty. though
the whole situation came too dangerously
near TO being undignlned. Audiences here
seem TO mind lack OF dignity in come
dian. but in a serious person they audibly
writhe under IT,
The other three acts. though they APP
preached tragedy AZ steeplechase pace
wholly lost their grip and slipped into
unintended comedy.
Florence Reed. who as the designing
Rettina was the most interesting figure IN
the piece. looked charming. She Is
thoughtful about her poses. her express
sious and her costume. Details mean
something 70 her. and she makes the most
of them But she had no part. Tho lines
are all obvious. and gave her no chance
for the delicate shading Of expression she
has shown in previous roles.
Malcolm Williams az Frederick Hon
man had yigor Tho others all oyeracted'
but they may possibly have figured that
If they had not the whole play might
have vanished m the stage.
Tho new music Arrangement ~ lew
strings. which play AT curtain time, before
and after. Is extremely agreeable Who
ever Is responsible for this novelty dc
serves thanks.