New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-28

Jim Ewing. .......................ha harry ieishton
Leonie MARY norton
pr Allison ...-....................W Walter Hale
Randall .................W Wright Kramer
Mrs Marv Uarvey.................M Maud Hosford
Forrest Grahame. .........W Warner =. Richmond
Katherine. ...,.......... Martha Hehuan
Jane Boutell. ....................Amflia Gardner
Chauffeur. ....................D Donald Clayton
Detective .........................C Carroll Barry
Augustus Thomass new play Indian
Summer" which was produced in the
Criterion Theatre last evening, might well
have been designed to fit the personality
of John Mason. who took the prin-
cipal part and played it with his accus-
toned force and urbanity. 1t was from
Miss Martha Hedman. however. quite as
much as from Mr.. Mason, that came
those moments of the performance which
really moved the audience and this gifted
and unusual young woman. who has been
Just about to do something for several
years, got her chance at last, although
a brief one.
Whatever Mr.. Thomas offers must
needs be received with interest and con-
sidered seriously He is. perhaps. our most
representative American playwright-not
merely because of his plays. but Of what
he can do outside his plays. In striking
way he satisfies American desire that the
artist shall also be the good citizen. and
with equal skill and assurance builds a
farce or addresses national convention.
Indeed. If all Mr. Thomass plays were as
superior to their fellows as the speech In
which he nominated Mr. Bryan at the
Denver convention seemed to most OF us
who were trying to keep awake, superior
TO the other aeolian efforts OF that dread
ful night, our theatre would have
reached its golden age long ere this.
In short. he is regular life-sized man
as well as a playwritcr He has Kept on
growing and reaching out into new fields
OF thought and speculation, but IT has
sometimes seemed Of late years that his
development had carried his ship bit
out OF the wind. as 1t were. Like the
newspaper man who sometimes Inn
pairs his usefulness by becoming too
serious "-spoils "A good reporter 10 make
poor philosopher has seemed at
times Llanketed somewhat by hts own
thoughtfulness. General IDEAS have alb
sorbed him at the expense Of the special
Af'l'ill'lAt hfllldIb'l W Allf sNhh' hiiN'
some of his more recent Ulays-last years
The Model Tor instance-have suggest
ed the adyisability of q vacation In the
carcfree air OF old-fashioned melodrama.
Mr.. Thomas may have felt this him
self, and 1t may account for the curiously
uneven quality OF Indian summer" lie
has written very interesting first act
with a ripe and authoritative flavor thor
oughly his own. Here. as In The Har-
vest Moon" he dscards shrieks and vio-
lence. and even the colloquial humor OF
skctchy pieces. like his "De Lancey" and
Mrs. Leiilngwelrs Boots" and depends
throughout on a conversational tone and
a straight appeal TO his audiences intel
ligence and human sympathy
Then follows a second act OF rare and
unusual beauty Into this scene in which
the Young girl reveals her love for the
mddIc-ag,d portrait painter 10 whom
she has been sitting. and he though less
directly. his love for her is gathered
whatever gives the play it's name. It is
beautifully written and beautifully acted
by Mr. Mason and Miss Hedman.
SDmcthing. Of the golden glow OF that
enchanted time OF year whose name the
play bears seems fairly To- sufuse the
theatre. II Is Ike music. an idyll, per
feet and complication complete. perhaps,
Mir Thomas thought. for In the next act
there are escaping criminals dropping
from broken skylights. revolver shots,
Officers of the law and all the para
| phernaiia Of rgulation-and at this mo-
1
act is but a prcfunctory bringing together
OF loose ends.
IL Is hard. therefore. To consider In
dian Summer" az a whole there being
such difference and lack OF relation be-
tween its parts. II is always interest
ing. because MIR Thomas is always in
! teresting, but one must 20 prepared to
accept his ricltety framework as it is and
Dee grateful for some OF the superior
! things he has hung on II.
II was the moving appeal made by the
personality and acting Of Miss Martha
Iledman which, as much as any one thing,
! perhaps, gave that second act It's peculiar
| poignant flavor. IL is quiet. suppressed
and gently mournful. They exactly filled
her manner, her way OF giving significance
!
to things without making "A noise about
| it-nor can one commend too highly her
| habit Of playing as If she did not know
an audience were there. Mr.. Mason was
authoritative and excellent az usual. but
| II was Miss Hedman who gave to the
play something Of that light which, II II
| never shone Ger sea or land. Is also in
| frequently met with in the theatre.
! The scenes of the play are I'm artists
studios at Southa npton. Long Island, and
| in New York. Mr.. Wright Kramer, rs a
magazine editor; Miss Amelia Gardner,
as a woman who had played a part in
the past of several gentlemen In the play.
and Mr.. Walter Hale. in the UNHAPPY role
OF a doctor, were others In the cast.
A r.
"GENERAl JOHN REGAIN" OPENS.