The Washington herald., 1913-12-07
Review of the Past Week
In NeW York TheaterS

our methods, might become the leading
tragedienne Of our stage. But she Is no
longer in the years when IL is easy to
acquire new habits-she has a daughter
acting in the company-and 1t seems
doubtful that she can ever reach the
point Of finished acting where she will
be accepted by the American public as
really great artist.
A numerous company was required to
personate all the celebrated characters
in the cast Of this bad play. and most of
its members were totally unsuited to
its requirement. The notable exception.
was Mr.. George Hassel, who. in the
character. of the exaggerated French
actor who is the professional guide and
mentor of Rachel gave an excellent
comedy performance.
Rachel was popular success in the
towns where 1t was produced before 1t
was brought into New York. 1t Is not
likely, but It Is, of course, possible, that
New York's popular fancy may indorse
that judgment.
Louis Mann Tries Again.
Mr. Louis Mann has made many big
audiences in New York explode with
laughter. This was before he allowed
his wife, Clara Lipman. with the as
sistance of Mr. Samuel Shipman, write
his plays for him. The collaborators
have some dramatic sense, and are per-
fectly serious in making their plays teach
a moral, but are evidently unacquainted
with American life in its more refined
aspects. In the present instance they
try to show the results of the bad
bringing up of American children. The
authors start with the childish premise
of a household in which the younger
persons have usurped the place and
authority of their elders and are run
ming things to a point where their moth
er is treated by them as a child. This
morality is carried to the point OF alb
surdity and equally absurd, outside Of
the fact that Mr. Mann asserts a step-
fatherly dictatorship over his acquired
children with considerable personal
force, is the complication caused by the
mothers marriage with a man who be-
lieves that children should be taught to
be children instead OF advanced thinkers,
who think they should direct their own
careers in the way their youthful fan
ces dictate. This point, in the way Of
criticism of the manner in which chill
dren of today are brought up to follow
their own devices and desires, is well
TAKEN but the method of its setting
forth is ridiculous rather than educa-
tional.
The company supporting Mr.. Mann is
fairly incompetent. and the star, who
has very considerable ability as a COM
edian, would probably profit by choosing
plays written by some one outside his
family circle combined with the Mr..
Shipman, who is stronger on theories
than on drama. Children of Today in
dicates that Mr.. Mann and his play will
shortly be divided between vaudeville
and the warehouse for retired scenery.
Cream of the New York Theaters.
Messrs. Forbes-Robertson and Cyril
Maude, in their respective repertoirys,
are still tOp-liners in the way of legiti-
mate attractions. Ethel Barrymore in
'Tante" is proving so good a card that
changes have been made with respect to
the long appearance of Maude
Adams for her usual season at the En-
pire. Dainty "Prunella" is on the point
of being transferred from the Little to
the more commodious Booth Theater.
OFF, the Jewish plays, the concluding
weeks of Mr.. Warfield in THE Auc-
tioneer" are announced. but Potash and
Perlmutter' bids fair to go on to next
summer. In melodrama of the under |
world, within the Law shows no sign
OF weakening, and The Man Inside"
looks to be in for a run. Laughter is to
be found in the Irish depictions in Gen |
eral John Regan." and the light farces, !
Nearly Married" and The Marriage |
Game" Two charming actresses, Lau-
rette Taylor and Elsie Ferguson, disport |
themselves in their respective vehicles |
Peg O. Ny Heart" and "A Strange |
Woman Those inclined to light music /
will find joy in Adele" and The Mad |
cap Duchess" And the Hippodrome is |
for all sorts, kinds. and conditions of .
people, while Fannie Wards laughable |
Madam President is for that elect
class whose morals cannot be hurt by
the riskiness OF French farce
New York is not at all shy Of theatrf-
cal entertainment, for besides those lust
named. there are numerous other at
fractions which may or may not please
those who have skinned the cream and
are willing to take their chances with
skim-milk.