New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-13

c.lvde Fitch. At the Little Theatre.
THE CAST.
I've Linden lssoel Itart7
Sevvsnt ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. LlOhel hosarel
Becky Warder .......''..'''''''' -. 80. ,roorie
..lhHVu ........ sydney Booth
W So. - Guthrie McClntic
Roland .................. Ferdinand oottsS Sr
Mrs Crespigny ................'.'.'' He'ud SCARF
winthrop Ames has performed real
service to the stage in presenting CLYDE
Fitch's comedy. The Truth" at his
Little Theatre. Or. 10 he exact, he will
have by Tuesday evening. when the play
which was given privately Saturday
night, has its first public production
lust al this time in theatrical affairs.
when the stage is looked upon as an FL
dorado by many of the younger play
v-riShts and the tendency is 10 fit from
the improbable sex drama TO the more
lucrative and acceptable farce comedies,
{, is particularly refreshing 10 have such
2 sincere study as The Truth" presented
50 artistically and by such excellent play
ers. One is moved TO hope that Its be-
lated revival will have somewhat OF
salutary effect upon those writer's for the
stage who cannot conceive play with
out theatrical situations, and for whom
any Illogical depression OF character Is
excusable providing it be sufficiently
dramatic"
The TRUTH perhaps the best or
l. ri
character. In this comedy the play
wright shows not only his cleverness as
a reporter, which dominated in his earlier
work. but a sincere and faithful STUDY
Of very human and quite recognizable
types. All Of the characters in the play
are so consistently drawn and the incl
dents so logically developed that the ef-
feet upon the spectator is very nearly
complete creation of the ideal Illusion be-
tween the audience and the stage. Ihat
here is not so much play as 1t is "a
slice of life"
The characters I'm the play and their
story have so cosmopolitan an appeal
that II is easy TO see why the play had
success abroad and make it certain that
it's brief life in this city some years ago.
when Il was first produced, was due most
probably to managerial difficulties rather
than a lack of appreciation.
Becky Warder, young. attractive and
very much beloved by her husband, has
a deep rooted habit OF telling fibs. Try
as she will to be truthful, the little lies
sometimes harmless enough, pop out OF
her mouth before she is conscious OF IN
venting them. Her husband Is unaware
OF this habit OF hers until he is forced
into a realization Of her inability TO tell
the truth by Jealous woman friend, VINO
discloses a mild Irritation between Becky
and the Jealous woman's husband.
Warder scorns the tale at first, but
forced to investigate, he finds his wife's
explanations such a maze Of lies that he
leaves her Their reconciliation ana
Beckv's determination to tell the truth at
anv cost is most Interestingly and natu-
rally brought about at the conclusion.
Grace George has never been seen to
better advantage than as Becky. Inc
nice balance OF sympathy that persists
throughout her portrayal. despite the var
ious changes Of situation. is sheer arts
trv. and her rather elusive and whim-
steal charm, most happily displayed, par
ticularly in the exacting scene IN the
third act after Becky's separation from
her husband.
One can we'll believe that the part OF
Mrs. Crespigny was written Tor MISS
Zelda Sears. All the underlying pathos
that truly belongs to genuine comedy
role was admirably brought out in her
rlaving Of the widowed landlady, VINO
tries so hard to be "genteel." Her de-
voted rninistrations 10 the cadging, gam
bling Roland are a Joy to see and her
last desparlng fight to retain her matn-
nonlal chances with him IS splendluiS
acted.
Isabel Irving plays Eve Lindon, the I'M
happy wife Of the amorous Lindon, ana
her performance is. as might be eApecteu'
finished end interesting. Even In sdch an
ungrateful part as that Of Jealous med
dler. Ferdinand Gottschalk gives a de-
ugbtful picture OF the broken down gen
tleman. Roland, who is beloved By the
widow despite his sponging. because all
Of his faults are such swell faults This
character, q rake In his youth and
shabby genteel CRATER in his middle age
Is one Of the best drawn In the play, and
in the capable hands Of Mr.. Gottschalk
presents A most interesting study.
Conway Tearle as the INSCRIPTIONS
Linden and sydney Booth as Warder
both gave good performances. Mr.
Booths quiet command was particularly
scceptabl, in the scene OF the quarrel.
Fanny Hartz appears for short period
In the first act as the mutual friend
Laura Fraser.
Mr.. Ames has provided splendid set
ting for the play and deserves the graft
tude o. the theatregolng public for his
service in reviving THE Truth" and
presenting It under the ideal conditions
only possible IN a playhouse Ike the Little
Theatre.
Something should be saba great deal
perhaps. but not by a mere manor the
gowns worn by Miss George throughout
the play. TO Judge from the audlDie
yearns that broke from the enYious
ladies' in the audience upon the appear
ance OF each new creation, she achieVeo
another sort Of artistic success, ana VIII
probably be engaged for the next re"
weeks ln being interviewed by those
writer's who tell women what to wear
ard how.
- H.