New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-02
PLAY Has a SOrdid Theme, but
Is Interesting and
Dramatic.
"The Revolt" BY Edward Locke. At
Maxine Elliott's Theatre:
THE CAST
BY HECTOR TURNBULL.


double standard of morality for men
and women has been presented to US
in printed form, from the pulpit and
on the stage. with varying degrees OF
intensity for the last few years, Ed
ward Locke's new play on the subject,
"The Revolt" earns its right TO be
heard in the theatre, even at this late
day, by virtue Of its sincerity and its
almost Photographic fidelity to every
day life.
Its situation is, of course, sordid, and
its scenes and general effect are neces-
sarily unpleasant, however happily the
playwright has chosen to end his
drama, but the argument is sound and
the play is good enough drama to make
the moral pill diqestibie. which is, we
imagine, exactly the result Mr. Locke
has striven for. Line most plays of
this kind, too, il 4, deemed neces-
sary by the dramatist, in order TO add
force 20 his message, TO lay on with a
shovel the eXtenuating circumstances
that actuate his chief character in its
struggle, and while this note adds logic
10 the consecutive scenes it invariably
detracts somewhat from the effect of
the play as a piece of realistic drama.
This fact, however, as we'll as some
rather Earring comic relief, have grown
to be considered by playgoers of late
as such necessary evils that they cease
to be noticeable TO any but the hyper
critical. The thrill or the laugh, as
the case may be, is the thing required.
and as 1.-THE Revolt" has both, plus
vital theme, boldly expressed, the au-
thor should be complimented and the
audience should benefit.
Mr.. Locke, of course, has given his
heroine every reasonable cause for re-
volt She has been married 10 a good
looking wage Garner for eight years.
For one year she was supremacy happy,
and for the remaining seven she and
her little baby were obliged to wait at
home until all hours of the night
while the husband and father "saw
life" along Broadway.
/ Thanks 10 tire most fendsh step
mother that ever hid her gin bottle in
the mantle clock, the wife is gradually
/ informed Of the exact manner in which
/ her husband spent his time. Finally,
when the husband can no longer con-
ceal his amorous adventures in town,
the wife, always aided and abetted by
/ the stepmother, decides 10 leave him
and see for herself just what attrsc-
/ ton there is in the kind of life her
/ husband leads. She goes at once TO
/ the hashy apartment Of fashy won-
an she once knew.
The demi-mondane, who holds a Sc
cret grudge against the wife. plans
Il. y Axw-~
women Of her type and several men
/ from out -of-town who are evidently
/ patrons of the place. When the wife.
now dressed ia borrowed fhery and
half tipsy, realizes the significance OF
her adventure she tries to leave the
! house, but is restrained by one of the
men and the false friend.
! Just here the machinery of the play
; creaks bit. for as another man of the
party sympathizes and promises to pro-
tect her and take her away, the wife
receives belated phone message
which informs her that her baby is
dying and that she must return home
at once. Once home, with the now
wholly contrite husband bending over
the crib. the protecting gentleman also
doctor giving comfort and help and
the gin soaked old harridan of step
mother completely squelched. the play
proceeds straightway to its happy end
ing. The husband is to be put on pro-
baton for three months. but there IS
no doubt as 20 the outcome. He Will
reform and mend his ways.
Alma Belwin has n rather difficult
and exacting role as the neglected wife
in revolt, but she played with some
show of sincerity throughout and
added a deal of conviction 70 what
might easily have been, in several in
stances. weak scene. Vincent Ser
rano. who seems 10 appear quite fire.
quently of late in plays Of this kind,
Ia the husband with a penchant for
Broadway. He appeared TO best adj
vantage in the first act. but played al
WAYS with his usual ease and effect.
Jessie Ralph has CHASTITY charac-
ter to picture. and perhaps the disgust
she awakens in the minds of the audi
ence is the best compliment one could
ray to her abilities as a player. She
impersonates the INSCRIPTIONS, GIN
soaked mother-in-law, who is willing
that her stepdaughter should sell her
self so that she the stepmother)
might reap the material benefit in
Injuries.
All of which she does very com
pletely.
Edwin Mordsnt. for all the influence
of his questionable surroundings when
first introduced, turned out TO be
good sort after ALL and played the doc
tor in refreshingly natural manner
This will mean much TO one who ne
fleets upon the seasons crop Of stage
doctors. Beth Franklyn played the viii
lainess. and the rest Of the cast filed
minor roles with more or less good
effect.
"The Revolt" while il gives every
evidence Of having been toned down
bit for Broadway consumption. need
brighten nobody on the score OF its
shocking frankness. IL is merely, after
its own fashion, preachment against
license. presented dramatically and in
terestingly. II is built sincerely and
for its sslutary effect upon the moral
attitude of the playgoer, so. despite
its occasional evidences of rather
tricky construction and the employ
ment Of old devices for effect. il
should have little difficulty in reach
ing it's public.
Play to Aid Verdi School.
Tho KINGSTON CIuh If )rooLiyn III