The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-03
AUDIENCE DIVERTED
BY 'HOBSON'S CHOICE
New Farce Acted With Uncom-
mon Skill at Princess
Theatre.
MOLLY PEARSON HEROINE

gan it's days In the atmosphere OF Grand
Guignol horrors. then passed into the
field Of musical comedy and Ia now ex-
perimenting with drama in varied forms.
yesterday invited the public 20 witness
quite the most charming performance II
has ever offered. Indeed. any New York
playhouse might well hav been proud
Of the honor OF introducing "Hobson's
Choice to the local public. II In a de-
lightfully quaint and Whimsical farce Of
life In lower middle class society at
, Stafford. heat Manchester. in the early
sos. The author. Harold Brighouse.
evidently thought II necessary TO add
these words Of explanation. but the
characteristics of "Hobeon's Choice"
would win the theatregoing world for
II anywhere.
For II Ii all delightfully."- human and
witty. II In of the class which theatre
managers have already begun to describe
as a "Bunty play" They mean by that
term thai IL 10 foreign to begin with. that
its period Ia some years back and tina
Il has q heroine who does what she
wants with the rest OF the characters
'Hobson's Choice does possess all these
traits. But there are others which made
the new play to at least one spectator
at the theatre yesterday afternoon vastly
more entertaining and human than Mr..
. Moffatt's little drama.
Every Act EntertaininG.
There are four acts. which is a too
frequent division for n piece OF such
fragile content. but In every act there
was at least one exhibition OF uncom-
monty entertaining incident or speech.
In some OF the acts there Is more than
in others. As 1t was "Hobsonis Choice"
is a piece to delight all lovers OF wit. OF
human nature and unconventional numor
In the theatre.
An old has three daughters
who conduct his profitable business for
him. The middle daughter Is the most
efficient and carries on the work for the
irascibie and somewhat ~self-induigeht
father. She ecide 10 marry the most
skiltll workman in her fathers shop and
succeeds in accomplishing her purpose In
spite OF the young mans indifference.
Father turns both of them out, but
she succeeds In getting TO her wedding
her two sisters and the two men they
are nxlou 10 marry. Their chances
Of matrimony are small. however. az the
father refuses any marriage settlement
tHu Nv ~ toA M WI
daughter who took matters into her own
hands.
Bat this heroine IL resourceful. II
happens that the stern father takes
too much at the inn one day and
falls-softly and comfortably. but.
nevertheless. falls-into the cellar Of the
establishment owned by the father OF
one suitur. Having fallen IN and felt
himself at ease or a pile or bags. h"
fell again-this time, asleep. So II Is
not difficult 70 frame up n suit for
trespaas against him. The lawyer sutton
carries II through with the assistance
OF the married daughter n there is
"A settlement sufficient to bring happi-
ness to all.
II was not the intrigue Of Mr.. Brig
houses play which was relied on TO
afford the greatest amusement to the
audience. 1t was the continued COM
edy OF the successive episodes. the hui
manity and freshness OF the character
i~zatlon. the successful transfer OF n
novel medium to the stage which de-
lighted an audience prepared for very
little. Rut "Hobson's Choice would
ave met high expectations.
Molly Pearson as Heroine.
\ More artistic acting h "A these Eng
lish players provided has not been often
seen. Mplly fftTSoi, WIN ~ ItIIl'Iu-
bcred here as Bunty and as the sidrey
in THE Passing OF tho Third Floor
Back" was the executive and attract
i've heroine. and her acquisition OF n
husband for herself very much against
his will and the settlement of her sis
ters' affairs were very adroitiy and
attractively accomplished.
Whitford Kane, who is remembered
from his excellent acting in Lonesome
Like" as we'll as in The Critic" last
year. played the bashful shoemaker
with his usual naturalncss and sense
Of humor. He was one OF the most
skilful Of the company In keeping al
together free from exaggeration. while
Miss Pearson was occasionally not with
out the sin OF overacting. The two
daughters were delightfully."- character
ICED by Viola Roach and Olive Davis.
a. q. Andrews was an artistic con-
trast Ms the peppery father. who was
in the end glad to ave his business
free from the intervention of women.
Il. lden Payne produced the play.
which was 4 great credit 70 him. II
all the New York theatregoers who
want to see a delightfully."- amusing and
human comedy go to find these quail
ties in "Iiobson's Choice" the little
Princess Theatre should be crowded
FOR IA long time to come.