New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-08
''D|SCOvER|NC AMERICA"
An Uninteresting Achievement
by E. KnObIauCh.
LEWIS WALLER'S SEASON
Attempted Gloriflcation Of This
Country Reveals the Com
plete Bounder.

Among the daily discoveries OF Amer
lea the newest is by Edward Knoblauch,
a playwright who has before now claimed
the attention Of this innocent city. A
play of his. bearing the title Discover
ing America" was produced last night at
Days Theatre Its principal figure is
Peter Delafied, an, American who has
lived twenty years in Italy. and upon re-
verse of fortune returns TO his native
land. which he subsequently declares Is
the only land for him. This sentiment If
wholesome is not fattering, considering
the character OF the patriotic Delaield.
And there is a good deal Of straining for
the sentiment. as might be expected Mr..
knoblauch Is an American who is said
TO prefer life abroad. which he is quite
at liberty to do If he chooses. Mr.. Lewis
Waller. who acts the American, Della
field. is an Englishman. Mr.. Waller also
produces the piece. The leading actress,
who plays an American girl Is English,
Miss Madge Titheradge. The spectator
Is compelled 10 stretch his imagination
10 an unusual extent In order TO believe
that much OF what he sees and hears has
any real relation to America. Mr.. Wal
Ter is welcome, Miss Titheradge is well
come, but they are out Of their element
in endeavoring TO play American"
parts Were players thoroughly Ameri-
can In speech and manner TO appear in
London as Londoners I'm an English COM
edy they would be no more convincing
to English audiences than these English
players were last night to an American,
at least TO New York. audience
And Delafeld Is a person unlikely 70
be regarded with approval by Americans.
let him prattle though he will about love
Of country, about skyscrapers. work. self
respect, honor and love. In Italy he loves
the Princess Fabrian, a beautiful, Iowa
BILE and noble woman. who Is tho wife Of
sood-for-nothing prince. Delaneld's
love is returned. Detailed. this choice
American. proposes to the lady an
elopement. She consents. but before
there is time for fight the splendid Amer
lean learns that he has lost all his
money. lie must 90 TO America ana
work, although he hasn't the falntcst
Idea Of what work really u.s. The princess
begs him to remain in Italy, and offers
him tho use OF her fortune. The superb
American becomes indignant. lie cannot
be bought. He must separate himself
from tho lady OF his alteration. lie goes
to america. leaving the fond princess
grcvinp for him
lie remains three years in America. be-
comes successful In business. as stage
characters without business training seem
compelled 10 do, loves an American girl.
and forgcts the fond princess. who. now
a widow, voyages 70 New York in quest
OF him. He leaves his business and the
girl he loves. and f. soon IN Italy agar
at the Castle OF Torrevecchia. where the
princess discovers that he does not love
her; where tho American girl comes seek
Ing Dclaheld ther former business part
ner. hy the way. and where the mag
Iihccnt American behaves like an unmitl-
gated bounder The princess attempts
suicide but unsuccessfully-than heaven
for that She is the only Nne-splritci per-
son In the play. And the Boundor de-
cideS 20 marry the American girl or she
decides 10 marry him. which seems more
TO tho purpose.
cheap boarding house IN New York. tho
Kind Of boarding house where men have.
at most hourr. free entrto To women's
bedrooms IN pursuit OF most innocent
friendship OF course. And there IL an
abundance Of slang. undoubtedly Ameri-
can. but applied as English comic papers
apply American slang. a wonderful and
fearful proceeding. and there is a most
unbusinesslike business scene in a most
unbusinesslike business Office Mr.. Knob
LAUGHS America IS far quocrer than he
could have intended II To- he. and instead
OF making an exemplary and inspiring
character OF his principal man he draws
only a cad OF the most firing kind
Lewis Waller. as an actor-managcr, IL,
let II he repeated heartily welcomed II
r. therefore 10 be regretted that the open
ing OF his second season ia New York jn
that capacity should be marred with
play which has little TO commend II. and
part In which he does not appear to adj
vantage Miss Titheradge has very little
10 do. or course. she In charming. But
American girls OF the type disclosed I'm
this play do not speak like Miss TIther
adge. One might wish they did, but that
is another matter.
As between the Italy and the America
OF this play, the italy is far 10 be pre-
ferred And the specimen OF American
manhood" who breaks the heart OF q
COURAGEOUS and noble woman. whose only
fault is that she loves him too deeply. Is
the meanest creature recently exhibited
on the stage. If Mr.. knoblauch believes
he has discovered America he Will, no
doubt discover his mistake. II little can
be said In praise Of the play. great deal
can be said In praise OF the house pro-
gramme. Under Mr.. Walters manage
ment Days Theatre prints neat, four
page bill OF the play. from which adver
tIsements are absent. and In which only
the concerns Of the play itself are mar
rated. Here is happy evidence. of good
taste. ~ w.
CAST OF DISCOVERING AMERICA"
Rome.
Tbs principessa Teodolinda Fabriani.
'"o Miriam Clements
Sir Edgar Lambourne. ........ REGINALD Dane
Lady Iambourne. 49,. ''iha i'orhe
The Countess Christine schomberg,
i"o suzette Gotta
Cardinal Rovetta .............. henry Carvlll
George ;. Brown. -...'.''''''', ,Johh Alden
Frnesto Observation-Disclosures. Albert Frisco