New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-30
BARR|E'S THE WILL"
New PIayIet Has American
Premiere at the Empire.
is MILDLY INTERESTING
Thoroughly Enjoyable Revival
of Haddon Chambers's
Tyranny of Tears"

Unlike Half an Hour" which had its
| first performance or any stage Only
/ few days ago at the Lyceum Theatre
James NJ Barries second new play for
the season, The Will" produced at the
Empire last night. was recently seen IN
London. Like Half an Hour" its one ACT
Is divided into three scenes" all laid III
London solicitors office, the momentary
, dropping OF the curtain indicating the
lepse OF some thirty years between the
first and the second, and OF fifteen years
between the second and third scenes.
In the first scene Philip Ross, clerk
IN commercial house. and his wiie OF
few months. simple. bashful very much
I'm love. and therefore very lovanie' WISH
the solicitor The young man d.indenty
declares that he wishes 10 make his Will
Tears Of the bride: the words will ana
widow" all this legal testamentary
phraseoloey frighten her: they seem 10
br,np death nearer 10 the well beloved.
In her happiness she wishes him 10 re-
member others in modest requests Ihirty
wears later they visit the lawyer again
They have become people OF suOs'aho''
Mr. Ross has come 10 make enother Will
his wife has preceded him to make sure
that the new testament shall be all IN her
favor, like the first.
All romance has departed from them.
Ross IS boastful; Mrs. Ross worldly MAJ
as nails She now objects TO oedues's'
Their son is at Elton. the friend OF TWO
honorab les. and ne has smoked his hrs'
cigarette with lord How is that loI
7 no INF
his old solicitor. And their daughter-
we'll when she marries she VIII not DE
plain Mrs In the third scene Philip Ross
now a millionaire and knight mas ios'
his wife Once more he has come 10
change his will To whom snail ne iea'.
his wealth now? His son has dissraceu
him and has been smuggled out OF INC
country with the connivance OF the police
his daughter has eloped with her chauf-
feur. Vanity Of vanities
Into the main plot Barrie has woven
two generations OF solicitors. rather ann
son. and three OF solicitors clerks Inc
old head OF the firm. grown childish wan
ders back to the ONCE in the third scene
and family remembers the loVaple !ouis
couple Of long ago; then his uncertain
memory confuses Ross with his old chiet
clerk. who had died OF bodily eVil 'ha'
had grown unsupported until IL was 700
late 10 cure II. And thus, speaking OF
this naladv. he seems 20 be Illuminating
upon the root OF all evil in the simple
lovers who. ignorant OF its presence al
lowed the love OF money, worIdiiness' 10
grow within them until II had kii'eo
what was best worth living for.
There are many touches OF the Barrie
we all know IN this fable, but there u
about II a touch OF disiluslonment' OF
bitterness. The acting is excellent JON"
Drow's philip Ross changes from scene 10
scene with full interpretati OF the ara
matist's meaning Mary Boland gives
touch of real sentiment 70 the humor OF
tho vife's grief over the solemnity OF 'he
u,ul making. and Is as grasping as you
nleaee IN the second scene; and FRANK
Kemble Cooper furnishes Thoroughly
,roIi ,rorbed out sketch Of the old LAWYER
The revival OF c. Haddon Chambers
comedy. THE Tyranny OF Tears ~ an
unalloycd delight. thanks To the quanS
NJ the actin, Of all concerned. Mr.. Ore"
returns 10 his old part with all ms eas1
and whimsical humor Laura Hope crews
as the wife. has a part that suits her To
nerfectlon. Mary Roland and Julian
LEstrange never acted better than in the
roles o. the wears thirteenth daughter
and the henpeclied husbands old friend
Mr.. Chambers. who IS low In this co.. n
try for the rehearsals OF ''Tante.' mp
rsared on the stage for a moment at the
o,d NJ tho third act. but could not be In
duced 10 make speech