The Washington herald., 1914-10-11
Repiew of the Past Week
In NeW York TheaterS

what she wants. For the time Of the
play she wants tc be married, and have
some one oppose her marriage. There
fore she chooses the young Jew on the
theory that her middie-class family VIII
oppose the marriage on religious
Erounds. This they do until they and
out this particular Jew IL the son OF one
of her fathers most profitable clients.
In the same way the Jewish family Ii
In opposition until they learn that the
young woman is q star In amateur ath-
letics to which they are, or pretend TO
be, devoted. When there Is no opposi-
tion on either side the young persons find
that they are not really anxious to marry
each other and things 90 back to about
where they were in the hrst place.
Not much Of q comedy this. from the
dramatic point Of view. It might be bet-
ter described, perhaps, as Q mental farce,
calculated to please those who can be
amused only where they imagine that
there is an appeal to their inteIlects.
With this public goes a following which
thinks 1t understands when II doesn't.
but which talks tremendously about the
things It pretends to like or imagines II
likes. Therefore consequences" may
meet with q success which might be de-
MED to q eIeverer composition with less
intellectual pretentiousness. This Ii not
denying that the piece has It's bright
moments, and that its two principal
characters are well drawn in the school
Of exaggerated caricature.
Mr.. George Broadhurst Again.
Mr.. George Broadhurst likes to deal
with something like the actusllties Of the
day. In THE Law OF the Land" he gives
US q vivid view Of police methods in
handling the details of a murder mys-
terry. The early acts are devoted. first,
to the incidents that lead up to II and
the murder itself. Then come the efforts
of those concerned TO cover up the tracks
of the woman who has done the deed
justifiably in the eyes Of the audience,
so, although she is not altogether nice
person. she holds the sympathies. Then
comes the contest Of wits with the po-
lice who, in the person Of the inspector
in charge become aware of the facts.
This supplies the surprising and decided
ly theatrical climax OF his furnishing to
the guilty woman, out of the sheer good
ness OF his heart, a perfectly clear ex-
PLANTATION Of how the fatal shot was en-
tirely accidental.
The woman in the case Is married to a
prominent lawyer, who is shown in his
domestic life TO be q cruel tryant. He
has forced from his wife the confession
that her child is not their child. In re-
venge he refuses offer a divorce and the
custody OF the offspring. He Is just
about to lash the child with a cruel-look-
ing whip when she shoots. Then came
the steps in which every one, her lover,
her husbands secretary. even the fam
fly butler try to shield her from the con-
sequences of what she has done. 1t Is in
these episodes that Julia Dean, who
heads the cast, gets in her emotional
acting. This would be of better quality
with less facial contortion and greater
simplicity in delivery. She has good
natural equipment and has had too much
experience to be the least bit amateur
ish. in fact, is too professional and too
little real
The interest in The Law OF the Land"
reaches its highest point when the police
take charge and the inspector, in the
person Of Mr.. George Fawcett, proceeds
by the use Of police methods TO break
through all the elaborate precautions
that have been taken to prevent his get
ting at the truth. This brings about q
very pretty contest Of wits, with the ad-
vanage shifting first to one side and then
the other. The solution Of the problem
seems rather an impotent one, but II
brings the curtain down with possibilities
OF happiness in sight and the audience
goes away apparently satisfied.
The Law of the Land" is a play. a
thrilling play, and nothing more. But II
serves to fulfill what is perhaps the most
important mission Of the theater, which
is to interest and amuSs without regard
to any more serious purpose.