New-York tribune., 1912-01-11
THE DRAMA
"A Butterfly on the Wheel
Thirty-ninth Street Theatre.

II is py this time pretty well known here
that a Butterfly on the Wheel was
originally performed in London one or two
seasons ago. that Lewis Waller acted the
part Of the butterfys lover, that Miss
Madge Titheradge acted the butterfly and
that the play had a run Of l2O nights ana was
subsequently revived Now the piece $
brought To New York by Lewis Waller
VINO. of course does not act in IT, as ne
must suffer and make love in The Garden
Of Allah" but it brings Miss Mad@e
Titheradse for her original part. Sidney
Valentine. who has acted, and acted we'll
many good parts on the London stage
and il brings other players who nave
played in this piece abroad, either durlhs
its first run or during its revival The re-
suit is an interesting performance at the
Thirtv-ninth Street Theatre and the prob
ability Of a run as satisfactory as that IN
London.
The authors are Edward @ Hemmerde
and Francis Nelson. one Of them is
barrister and the other member OF
Parliament. so there is guarantee for the
veracity of the court scene which makes
the plav and for the essentially English
flavor Of the whole preparation.
Peggy Admaston is the butterfly. Her
husband. the Right Hon. George Admaston'
NJ p loves her. but attends strictly u"
Parliamentary business. Peggy lanEulsheS
under his neglect but iourishes under the
attentions Of -F7Qderck Collingwood, who
is aItogethar too much in love with her.
As butterflies 1re not cIaSsed amon- 'he
wise creatures of this world. pretty PeEEy
need not he expected To exhibit wisdom
in her relations with the enamoured h"u-
erick She Is. indeed. a foolish, albeit lhh"-
cent lady. and, like SO many oiheF Iaules
who are foolish and innocent, allows. even
CompelS. mischief 20 heap up in her tram
Iler husband sues for divorce. Hence the
trial scene. I'm which the butterfly Is
broken on the wheel Of Justice or Of legal
procedure. which some people take TO he
the same thing OF course. the butterfly $
innocence is established and Peggy is re-
stored TO the affections Of the Right Hon
George.
The piece is admirably performed. ana
the performance affords another oppor-
tunity for history To repeat itself. Not so
very long ago this play was produced In
Chicago by an American manager. Charac-
1ers were miscast. and strange notions
that we're expected 10 be regarded as hui
lrorous i'm the Middle West were dragged in
rv the heels The play failed. Then Mr.
Waller. determined that our public should
have a chance to see the piece performed
i'm its own atmosphere" set about this
New York production with his English
company. What happened in the case Of
The Mollusc" has happened in the case
Of the Butterfly" Interpreted by actors
who know how and who are native TO the
scene. the play becomes attractive worth
seeing. and succeeds Mr.. Waller is to be
congratulated.
Miss Titheradge, Mr.. Valentine ana MI
EVELYN Beerbohm are very clever players
indeed, and their associates are quite
worthy 10 be i'm 50 competent cast. Ine
3atelIigence. the smoothness, the complete
ness Of the performance are refreshing.
PERHAPS the result may encourage MI.
Waller 10 continue as an actor-manager IN
~. yorL ~ W.
CAST OF "A BUTTERFLY ON THE WHEEL
The Right Hon George Admaston. N, NJ p. >..-..,,,f
T.o1r-fpg r9ringwood ...... Charles Quartarma.ne
Ind Eerdne Evelyn i'-,' r,i a.
Sir Iohn Burroughes h,Fh.fl .-I- .-l.
Sif Robert Fyfty. X c., NJ. p. sidney
,;.r,a IS. McNrtnur. *. t..--... Lew iI'--...lt
stuart Meuzies, X C..-...-.-... ',....' -
% ............ John Wilmer
a., 4, .'..., g ,ro I-,r,. ......... james stuart
Tootman. rIi- Tar.ri.
I.iu3 - ......... Loretta Wells
A. 80 ................... .Ma4Ee Iii1'la-se