New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-07
ARNOLD DAILY IN
HIS ORIGINAL ROLE
PLAY Proves as Entertaining
as II Was Ten Years
Ago.
"You Never Can Tell" by George Ber-
nard Shaw. At the Garrick.
THE CAST
By HECTOR TURNBULL.

Perhaps the most striking feature OF
Arnold Days revival OF Shaw's de-
lghtful comedy, "You Never Can Tell"
at the Garrick, is the fact that the
years that have passed since 1t was
first presented here do not appear to
have had the slightest effect upon its
power to entertain nor to have dulled
in the least the keen edge Of its brill
liant and whimsical wit.
To be sure, the ultra-modern maiden
of ten years ago, who was the chief
target of the authors shafts, is no
longer considered the shocking and ut
terly egrcgious hussy she used TO be.
But despite the fact that we have over
come the shock of her advent. Shaw's
satire proves that the type still exists,
and that he was not, as may have been
thought at the time, critlcising a pass"
ing fad. -, 49,,
strate more clearly than a rereadlng or
the play that the authors searching
ANALYSIS of the intellectual Gloria Is
only another argument IN his never
ending quarrel with social shams,
whether they belong to the mld-Nlc-
torian moralist or the conventional
breaker Of conventions.
The fun that he created in his scenes
between the girl who is so advanced
Intellectually that she is presumably
proof against sentiment and the sclen-
/ tifc philanderer is delightfully."- fresh
and shows a ring of sincere feeling
that is noticeably lacking in much Oh
the authors later work.
/ 1t is rather pathetic and somewhat
! startling TO think that the great q. b. ).
was really younger when he wrote you
Never Can Tell" as he appeared IN
credibly old and wise, but 1T must be
so. Not only are there many evil
dences of sneaking softness OF heart
in his handling of the lovers, but MS
treatment of the crusty old father Is
positively sentimental.
Although Arnold DAYS present pro-
duction appeared to be quite salts
factory to the audience at the Car
rick, it lacks many elements that made
has first performances so completely
enjoyable.
Some of the present cast, in their
anxiety to appear to best ADVANTAGE
y
by a gross neglect of all the require
meuts of such a comedy,
Shaw is never SO good as when he Is
plaved By a conn my which works to-
rether and which realizes that the Ell
feet Of the dialogue is nil II 1t is squirt.
ed across the footights in a stream OF
unintelligible gurgles.
Mabel Frenyear, who has the role OF
Dolly. the irrepressible daughter,
brings this fact home most success
fully. At best she is physically handl-
canned in the Characterization, and one
would imagine that she would study to
overcome this noticeable detail by a
careful enunciation and n show of feel
ing for her lines. Evidently she Is
quite satisfied, however, for her man
ner il as charged with assurance as her
speech is slovenly.
Doris Mitchell makes Gloria dignifed,
naughty and good to look upon. Du'
her lines have only the virtue or dis
tinct enunciation and show marked
lack Of feeling for the character.
George Giddens was a happy cholce
for the part Of William, the sage and
benevolent waiter. His careful study
Of the type and his rare playing make
This character one of the most artistic
seen on the stage in many seasons. Mr..
Dalev's DR.. Valentine was played with
his usual show of glib finish and dld
not lack for humor and real feeling. al
tbouoh IL showed TO a marked degree
how mechanical this player has become
in his familiar mannerisms since he
frat created the part. Old Fergus
Crampton came out strongly, indeed, IN
the hands Of Edwin Arden, even heav-
ily az times, but always with an eye
IN the dramatic effect OF the char
acter.
Montague Love doomed well and with
exceeding vigor as the mastertul dom
ineering Bohun, and Stanley Dark APP
neared 70 some advantage as Flncn
Ammo Sutherland gave fine character
ization of the cold Mrs. Clandon
Charles Latte only succeeded in equal
lin Miss Frenyear in mumbling and
shouting his lines and in proving AGAR
that what the young player needs most
in this theatre ridden city is a good
sound training in the art OF speaking
the English language so that the words
NAV reach the ear with some remnants
of their meaning and their relation 70
character and scene.
Such flaws in the playing, however
II they cannot be eliminated from tho
present production, should be patient
~ tolerated by the playgoer for the
sake OF seeing the play as whole
again and the several excellent char
acterizations il presents. In these
davs af catch as catch can theatrical
bouts between new plays and the tickle
public. an opportunity TO see one OF the
most amusing satires Shaw has writ
ten, and one that bears a note OF the
old Shaw now gone, should not be
o-.,-lcotoI