New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-30

BY HECTOR TURNBULL.

Jules Ecsert Goodmans new play,
The Silent Voice which was pre-
sented La. light al the Liberty Thel-
tire, is a good example Of the type Of
play in which o fine dramatic idea SUI
fers from poor craftsmanship. J.. 's
also the very play that probably will
be used by the leading lights of ;he
ultra literary set IN tEis city as a
fail win which 20 fog the dramatic
reviewers who 90 not oes-ow upon 10
shower Of irdircriminate praise. A.
cOrdlng 10 tri- sCt. the idea u the
thing and th, dramatic value or us
exposition is a secondary consideration.
Unfortunately for earnest but mex
perienced dramatists, theatregoers VS.
IL the playhouse for drama. and as such
Nr. Goodmsn's version o. GouverneW
Norris's story is not PARTICULAR.
strong. rs best feature lies IN the
fact tha' D. serves as medium -or
the ~ctorn o. Broadway OF that sp.el-
did actor Otis Skinner.
The playwright mas taken the stor7
Of the distinguished amateur musician
when he IS just a. the height OF his
career lie looks upon his cruel m
trinity as proof Of the futilty OF
faith in d supreme being who works
for good ia all things. He turns
atheist and curses his Cod When he
has become so proficient IN Np read
ing that he is able 20 converse with
those about him ne marries his ward.
d Young girl. She looks upon MIN as q
good catch and goes 20 him without
love. When he discovers that als WI"
is ir love with young man he cuts
himself of from every one but h.s
valet. lives uDon the roof Of ms mouse
and with the aid of field glasses studies
the lives and homes ana troubles o. ne
people in the nearby park. quite by
accident ne learns in this manner o.
case in which his money can be
turned 20 good use. and this starts
long practice Of good deeds wrought all
unknown 20 the benehciaries. Grad
rsllv the practice OF good deads net
the hurt in his heart. and when n's
wife comes 10 him he can forgive her
and begin life happily again.
The idea Of complete regeneration,
effected by a lie Of selt-abnegatl
and d vital interes, in the welfare OF
others. would. m the characters and
according 20 the plot drawn by Mr..
Morris. appear likely 20 lend Itself
mos, effectively 90 dramatic form. ne
playwright. however. has ourdened nus
WORK with an unnecessary trst act ana
totally eliminated the element or SUI
Prise. The denouemcut OF ms play
can be imagined with little thought
very soon after he has got ms story
under way.
10 be sure. he has introduced some
what o. a novelty, ir That scenes sup
posed 20 take place IN the PARK oelo"
are shown through transparent oacH-
drop lust as the hero views them
through mis- glasses. but most Of the
scenes are extraueOus matter, only
serving 70 lend color 90 the nero
change - heart. and the one pertinent
episode seemed more Ike q Ialnt ar
tempt AZ the symbolic than an ilI1ih'-
mating dramatic incident
Mr.. SINNERS portrait o. the afflicted
musician made one wish most heartily
10 see him in q role that would give iull
play 10 his powers Of stirring speech
and his well known ability 10 mold one
completely engrossed ia tense ORA
matte situation. His present role calls
Tor little feryCr and great snow OF
that sanity glow supposed 20 sum use
the entire being Of those who 1--we oUt
20 do good works. His face must be
l.t with an almost holy smile and his
words must be delivered as coming
from one who has. by plumbing the
depths Of despair, achieved a philos-
ONLY that answers wrong with pity and
treats the grievous suferings of others
as one would sootne the troubles o.
children. AL this Mr. skinner dld
most satisfactorily SO much so that
his every entrance seemed 10 Drlns
life 70 the play
Only one or two o. the cast shone
iu their particular roles. Mrs. skinner
was good as the helpful friend and
lent most convincing air 70 her char
sctcrizstion. Florence Fisher Gid vel
enough as the wife. although one felt
q touch Of artfciality about her play
ing. owen Mech. made up 20 look very
like List. played the valet, the go-oe-
tween who brought happiness 70 the
people in the park, and his sanity air
was admirably carried. The lover was
Philip Leigh. and perhaps the uncon-
vincing effect Of his lovemaNng was
more the fault OF his lines than ms
fashion Of delivering them.
As a psychological study, for its
moral effect. and for the sake OF see
ing otis skinner. The Silent Voice"
may be quite worth while. but az
drama 10 s hardly commendable.