New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-12
THE SILVER WEDDING"
Edward Locke's New Play
Opens Longacre Theatre.
SOME CAPITAL ACTING
Thomas A. Wise in a Comedy Of
German.American. Life in
Rural Pennsylvania.

One good act. II is sBid sufices 70
carry play TO success. and The Silver
Wedding" Edward LotSes new play,
which had Its first performance at r. II.
Frazee's Longacre Theatre last night,
not only mas thoroughly delightful Sec
ond act. it also has a third one that
needs only pulling together TO double its
chances OF survival This original COM
edy' OF life in Pennsylvania Dutch
settlement has, furthermore, the addi-
tional advantage Of being excellently
acted. not merely in its two chief parts,
but also in several Of its minor roles.
The plot, which was briefly outlined In
these columns last Sunday, is concerned
with the determination OF Ludwig Koch
Ter. the saddlemaker, OF Lauterbach.
Penn, to become what he believes HIS
daughters betrothed has called him-a
''pigheaded old Dutchman." In reality
the words were applied TO the saddlemak-
er's crony. the village doctor, but Ludwig
(Thomas A. WEe) does not know this,
and. in fact, there is considerable pig
headcdness at the root OF his character.
but his kindness of heart has prevented Il
from cropping up during his long mar
ried life. To show that he is what he is
because he amt" he forbids his daugh-
ters marriage. refuses to be present at
the ceremony when It takes place against
his interdict. and assists only in his capa-
city as the Village bandmaster. the band
having been engaged for the wedding.
This wedding fills the second act, which
is as full OF genuine, hearty laughs as
could possibly he packed into II.
The third act takes place a year and
half later Ludwig and his wife (Alics
Gale are celebrating their silver we'd !
ding. The Dutchman, who is pigheaded
because he amt" has been secretly
pining for his absent daughter. and
hoping against hope that she may yet
come to congratulate him and her mother
on their anniversary. OF course, this
comes to pass m the end. and there Is a
happy ending that would be much more
telling II this act were less long drawn
out. It will be simple matter, how
ever, TO remedy this defect
The acting, az has already been said. Is
excellent Mr.. Wise has a part that fits
him well in its humor. its 'pigheaded-
ness" and its sentiment. II will At him
still better when he shall have got on
quite intimate terms with his accent.
Alice Gales Frau Koehler is an unal-
Logged delight. thoroughly consistent Bit
OF character acting. Cecil Breton, as the
daughter, and Calvin Thomas. as her
lover. did we'll with the rather subordi-
nate parts allotted to them. and Guinio
Secola, as the Portuguese village barber.
understood to perfection why the eu-
thor had placed temperamental
Latin in company OF phlegmato
Dutchmen. and acted accordingly. With
the right effect. David Ross, as Heinie.
the saddler's assistant. and Lillian Ross.
as Frieda, the Koehler's servant fur
nished some bright spots OF comedy az
two gawky. ouarrelsome but spoony i'm
portations from the Fatherland. Frank
Mccormack, as the village doctor, whoss
Lifelong crouch disappears the moment
he sees himself IN his deplorably changed
friend Ludwig. did good work. and SO did
Carl Hermann as the very sensible viii
lage psrson. There is a touch OF Be-
lascoesque attention TO detail In tbs
kitchen pump In the third act, which
squeaks for A pitcher OF water down n.
parched throat before il will work. after
the familiar habit Of It's kind. The Sill
yer Wedding" needs only little over
hauling in its third act to become the
thoroughly enjoyable event its title i'm
plies.
CAST or THE SILVER WEDDING"