New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-12
IANE COWL'S SUCCESS
,,.;ooe,s Theatre Opens with a
New Play.
aWITHIN THE LAW
An interesting Melodrama
Well Acted.

Ais, Jane Cowl. The evening was un-
.,,onablv hers. The piece in which
snneared was described as "a play OF
a.v" But It will also be we'll described
nIav of tomorrow, and a play OF
.,oraav. and a play of our fathers and
'a,bers' times, for II is melodrama with
=, Last two thrills in every line, and II
:. .bout crooks" and prosecuted virtue;
: yell put together, and is much more
9TH seeing than any recent drama of
rs class
wss lane Cowl * the heroine. And she
-, the impossible heroine of the aver
-. melodrama. She makes OF the perse-
.r,ad and, in turn, prosecuting young
orsn on whom the fortunes OF the story
,r,n an actually living, believaole human
.-..,pre. And that IS the novelty at
..cb,ng 10 this play: Jane Cowl compels
can 10 believe in Mary Turner. And that
!, an undertaking Of some magnitude.
Mary Turner is a shop-girl arrested for
,.aIng. She is innocent, but the evil
asnce Is against her. She is convicted and
..snt away" for three years. Before go
ING no the river she lays the response
NIIty for the stealing in the Emporium
p.,srtmert Store az the Office Of the pro-
r1.,or. Edward Glider, who pays starva-
,ion wages TO his girl employees. After
serving her time in prison, and being pre-
v.n,ed by the police from keeping any
,,-,st employment that she secures. she
vars against society" by taking up a
nurse OF criminal adventure through
which she keeps always within the
Law. she has brains as we'll as beauty
ard 90 her new profession Of legalized
crime thrives. She becomes rich or, at
any rate. very well 10 do, marries the
son Of the proprietor Of the emporium.
becomes-by accident, let il he said
mixed up with q burglary and murder
and when all is darkest she emerges in
The sunshine Of peace, innocence and
happy tears, not a bit the conventional,
injured lady Of melodrama. She is a
female Sherlock Holmes on the other
SIDE OF the game.
The piece was received with enthusi-
am By a crowded house.
II would be quite impossible 10 narrate
here the twists and corners of the story.
It Is Ingenious. as such a story must be
4 an audience is TO be held. II is packed
with the slang that countless thousands
oTe, and which other thousands 90 not
cOmprehend and it is as such a piece
1 bound 10 be, a mixture OF good nature,
rascalitv and satire Of a sort. The in
syltaole killing is done in a new way, by
,tSolver 10 which a Maxim silencer Is
fixed. Lest this exhibition be received
IS n incentive 10 murder by reckless
1lzens tho management Of the theatre
r!orms the audience that the revolver
las specially constructed for the play. II
.ay oe a kind of pop-gun. But you are
tguol Cd, lest you may wish 70 kill your
snb1r with q smokeless cartridge and
Maxim silencer, that similar weapon
r0t allowed 20 be sold, as il is Well
uoan that the ordinary pistol cannot be
sca.ed by the Maxim silencer" OF course
o. may wonder why It is not allowed
le sold if Il cannot be silenced. But
~ hall penetrate the mysteries Of pro-
sTsmmes?
III. a. ~ Woods has moved his activi-
les In melodrafna 10 a region which for
theatrical purposes is known as Broad
way" There can be no doubt that riches
will swim 70 his venture. Mr.. Woods is
known as an analyst OF the human spine.
He has found there the home and throne
Of all emotion. Last night the play OF
bis selection stiftened the spiues of his
sudience. cUrled them, melted them
thrilled them as honest molodrama is
bound 10 90 or perish. Bayard WELLER IL
the author OF this melodrama, within
the Law" and Mr. Veiller's wholly al
iruistic purpose is 20 show that By the
application Of expert legal advice any
honest citizen may caper In criminal
career and yet keep within the law. The
thought has it's fluctuations. Mr.. Weller
reasons II out that if you apply 10 black
mall and other forms OF delight the
methods Of big business" retaining fine
lsss brains 70 keep you within TIE law
me wealth OF Golconda must be yours
INTO this happy philosophy II is not pos
a0le 70 enter now. The hour is late. But
play has been built on the great
thought And II is a play worth seeing II
you Ike melodrama and are fairly PROOF
against sophstries. The main point
thosgh is that Miss Jane Cowl is worth
seeing, and she IS worthy. well worthy,
u Tar better things. Moreover, she VIII
gs' them. Her acting last night was
remarkable for its fine finish, the play or
m lights and shadows. Miss Cowl com
handed attention with her first words In
her first scene, and she held II through
0N The several acts. She was mistress OF
@e situation She is u genuine artist.
All the other players did well, especially
Florence Nash in a droll part. OF which
sne made the most
me cheerful inprobabilities Of play
q this kind need disturb no one. You
80 Tor thrills you get them. You have
keenness for detective stories and tales
VI Illegal adventure. Well. they can be
a. oNerting on the stage as they are IN
Ilmt This play is so. II the bulk Of
'oar sympathy is in the wrong place
sOu can't deny that you enjoy putting 1t
mere That deep philosopher and emil
'N paihologist. VI. a. Woods, declares
y" lie Is melodramatic. Perhaps 1t Is.
:" Woods has made his researches vast
Nohtable And now that he has a
saue named for male impersonator
'sinaie characters. shall IL be said that
~ uoes not advance as we'll az phlloso-
|. Anyhow. Mr. Woods, as well as
phygoing public. may be congratu-
~ upon the opportunity afforded TO
' Jane Cowl, who shows though not
:. me hrst time. that she is IN artist
'40'e fortune il assured.
A W