New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-12

Prosper Couramont ................. John Drew
Baron dc la GlacIere. ............. charles Dalton
br!seinouche Fuller heiish
Anatole .....+-............... Ernest G!endinning
Etptis,e Walter Soldering
Suzanne Dc Ruseville ........ Ethel barrymore
Louise de In Glaciere. Mary Boland
Mathilde ........................C Charlotte Ives
Mlle. Zenobie ............., .Jeffreys LEWIS
Nine. Dupont. Mrs Thomas Whiffen
Pauline Helen 'olner
Let us hope you are among those few
fortunate ones who have never seen Sar-
dou's immortal and much beloved piece
OF stage trickery and dramatic claptrap.
"a Scrap Of Paper" manhandled by an
earnest band Of amateurs or a hopeful
class OF rtudents In a dramatic school.
II you should happen to be of this happy
number your pleasure In watching the
excellent players now presenting the COM
edy at the Empire will be great indeed.
II you. too. have suffered there 10 still
hope. but It is necessary TO allow some
time 10 elapse before the memory OF past
atrocities committed In the name OF
dramatic art shall be completely oblt-
Grated and the splendid and spirited play
ing OF last nights cast supply an enter
taining substitute.
Just why Mr.. Charles Frohman should
have chosen this particular comedy OF all
tho plays OF the past now shelved is ex-
plained by his announcement that II
seemed best suited to the capabilities OF
his two stars and offered very nearly
equal opportunities This may have been
very logical conclusion to draw from a
reading or memory OF the play and
consideration OF the talents OF the two
players. but last nights performance
seemed to make Shame stand out as
never before and the rest of the roles
pale considerably in comparison.
Prosper, interesting as Mr.. Drew made
the role. was little more than a mildly
amusing figure appearing and disappear
ing when necessary to the development
Of the plot. And such a plot II Is. Even
in these days OF gossamer-like articles
manufactured by harassed hacks for
musical comedies. the mechanism OF "A
Scrap OF Paper" gives one pause. Sar-
dou easily earned his title as "a wizard
OF stagecraft" when he made his repu-
tation upon the first performance OF this
play.
One the bait. patiently dangled before
the spectator In the exposition, Is swal-
lowed. however, there Is a deal of amuse-
ment TO he derived from tho clever ma
nipulat!on OF scene and incident Besides.
there Is that bugbear of tradition 10 ST.
lence those who would be FESTIVE and cry
for more logic. Does one not know that
this play created a Juror at the Gymnase.
Paris, when II was produced In 1860, and
has been graced since by almost every
star here and abroad? No? Then lend an
ear TO a bakers dozen of old-timers who
Will take pleasure in giving information,
and consider not the merits OF the vehicle,
but the galaxy Of stars, who are glad,
yea. honored, to fill the roles.
Ethel Barrymore, who one feels certain.
will not miss a comparison between her
playing and that Of her famous predeces-
sors, such as Carlotta lie Clercq or Mrs.
Kendall, gave a most refreshing interpre-
tation of Suzanne In breezy. spirited
way she brought out the one noteworthy
feature of Sardou's creation. that Su-
zanne was perhaps the first example OF
the strong-mnded, independent, resource
full "spinster" OF the type we have about
us now in such profusion. and which was.
in the DAYS OF Sardou. looked upon rather
askance.
Mr.. Drew's Prosper was whimsical as
every comedy character that actor plays
nd fhnrOnOhtU
This. however, is perhaps all that poor
Prosper possibly could be In any case
Mr.. Drew made him. at least amusing
10 see and hear. Charles Dalton played
the stupid bear Baron de la Glaciere, TO
perfection, and Fuller Mellish was equally
successful as Brisemouche, the bug hunt
ing naturalist.
Ernest Glendinning was happily chosen
FOR the part Of Anatole. the youthful lover
continually under the baleful eye of his
guardian. This young actor. who dis
played his talent and abilities so signally
some time ago in "Prunela," is equally
as interesting to see as Anatole and makes
the most Of the meagre opportunities Of
fered In the slender part. May Boland Is
that silly, fearsome creature, the wife OF
the baron, timid Louise. Charlotte Ives
plays Mathilde. the beloved OF Anatole.
and is decidedly charming when she ap-
pears, which, Of course, is seldom.
Mrs. Thomas Whiffen is Nine. Dupont
and plays the part with all OF her usual
charm and finish. Hers, perhaps, was
the greatest ovation among all given TO
the members of the cast last night, as
I.I 10 gta hnu fnD
full minute on her entrance before the
applause subsidized and she could proceed
with her lines. All in all. II was not
able gathering OF stars. well worth see
ing together or separate in most any
thing-even Sardou's masterpiece-and
makes. on the whole. a gallant ending 10