Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-13
A LADY IN DEBT,
A MARRIAGE in JAIL
Mrs. Fiske in Deliciously Amusing
Comedy, Lady Betty Martingale."
An Orchid Among Plays.


gambling, swearing lady, a lady of wit, engag-
ingly unscrupuous, borrowing money right and
left, and running up exorbitant bills at the
dressmakers, jewelers. and perfumers. Such is
Lady Betty the heroine of the new comedy
bv John Luther Long the celebrated author
of Madam Butterfly" and Frank Stayton
Englishman, which opened last night at the
Broad Street Theatre. BY the Incompatible
art of Mrs. Fiske. Lady Betty vvaciously
and voubly stepped into life from the time of
George II, and for nigh three hours delight
fully held a curious surprised and questioning
audience by her whimsical escapades
In day of plays dealing with politicians,
criminals, lady smuggers, millionaires with
pasts. derect husbands and musical comedies
of surface humor, Lady Betty Martingale ap
pears as an orchid in the theatrical conserva-
tory of ferns and geraniums. Quaint in it's
hoop-skirt charm, bizarre in its reminiscence of
Sheridan and the atmosphere of 1850 the popu-
larity of the play at this time is still dubious.
For while the play must have an irresistible
appeal to those who enjoy the unusual, the
subtle, the exotic, ii will be interesting to OBJ
serve what wider appeal it may have for those
who throng houses featuring gorgeous girls in
glitterinG gowns abbreviated apparel.
Lady Betty, summoned by her father, Canon
Slowpeek who has expended 10000 pounds of
money borrowed from Sir Ricochet Rasclble
Lord High Chancellor of England. on the writ
ing of n dictionary, is confronted in the first
act by the aforesaid Sir Ricochet who sinks
upon his knees and begs her to marry him
The corpulent Sir Ricochet, as Lady Betty
says, has truly a strawberry nose" Arthur
Elliot, the clustering, bullying High Chan
cellor, is roaringly funny-only he roars too
NJ nrGta and fbYrs Jaatr ~, .
his rage after Lady Betty-swearing-rushes
away. screaming THE jail The jail" Prefer
ing Jail to marriage Bailiffs are waiting with
out to arrest Lady Betty for her debts and
take her TO the fleet.
Lady Fewits-AIarie Chambers-arrives after
the outraged Ricochst has departed In high
dudgeon- Her most intimate friend Lady
Fewts advises Lady Betty how to escape the
bain and Jail. She tells of certain noble |
lady who put a wreath Of purple flowers in her
hair and by means of teweled dagger bIed .
to death. But purple flowers do not become
the color OF my hair" laments Betty. 'and I
have no jeweed dagger"
Another noble lady, softly says Lady Fewits,
Jumped into the English channel But she
vas discovered three days later, and oh dear,
hey say her appearance was dreadful-dread-
'uL 1t was unfortunate-but then she did
Tot expect to appear before people again"
.sdy Fewits has suddenly an inspration-she
emembers another lady who. pressed by cred.
tors. went to Newgate prison and married a
nan who hanged the following morning
Vow at this period, according 10 law hus-
and, on marrying a woman, assumed her
ebts. BY marrying man TO be hanged a
obls lady could expedItously get rid Of her
ebts-and her husband well
In Newgate prison, Suggs the burIv i,irar
q anit ALI tad b,. n
oses to Jock Rumple, who is condemned to be
anged the following morning, that he thus
clip lady out OF dilemma by marrying her.
or this little service he will receive such COM
ensation as will enable Suggs to enjoy a tin
nd buy coffin in which to bury Jock Lady
etty and her friend, having eluded the bailins
ave arrived at the prison. and beholdng
dies though masked. so fair, the gallant prts-
ner consents TO the ceremony.
Newgate jail is about 10 be burned bv In,
sndiartes. Sir Rlcochet. informed OF the plot
y Terram-Tyke, solicitor for the condemned
ock, arrives at the Jail Just after LADY Bettv
as been married Learning OF the marriage
nportuned by the solicitor. Sir Ricochet re-
enges his rejection by Pardonins Lady Betty's
nknown husband
Five months later Lady Betty, relieved Of bAr
ebts by her Aunt Nab, believing that her
was hanged. falls in love with Lord
ohn Derrng, Lord nerring, mady IN love
ith Lady Betty is withheld from marriage
r awhile by terrible memory-that OF mar
ing unknown woman when under another
lme he was condemned TO death in NewEate.
Already married and not realizing II, LADY
city and Lord DerHns are plunged into a
mpleK situation fun OF alternating high hurnSr
Id whimsical distress. Knowing more than
e two unhappy lovers. the audience OF course.
es the sun shining behind the clouds and
not narrowed by the wild panic OF Lord !
erring and Lady Betty when they are led !
believe they have married otherwise than :
sy did Ths conclusion ot the play, when !