New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-19
Number of Pieces Endure
Despite the Ravages
of Heat Wave.
BOOMERANG" MAKES
A WIDE APPEAL
Sex Problem Proves a Magnet.
Which Draws Large Audiences
to See Common Clay"
BY HAYWOOD BROUN.
Comedies.

Comedies.
THE Duke of Kllicrankie." at the
Lyceum Theatre, is a revival of a polite
and exceedingly witty light comedy
first played here by John Drew. The
play gives Marie Tempest a fine oppor-
tunity to display her extraordinarily
deft art. "Rosalnd," which follows the
longer play, is Barrie fantasy in one
get. Marie Tempest scores again in this
piece, but all except the most confirmed
Barrie admirers are in danger of ind
ing IT a bit inane.
young America" AZ the Gaiety The
atre. is a good humored play by Fred.
Ballard. There is art as we'll as humor
in the piece. and the ability Of trained
dog is utilized in a manner which Is
highly amusing as well as technically
adept. An excellent cast includes Percy
Helton, Peggy Wood. Sam Colt and
William Sampson.
"The Boomerang" at the Belssco,
probably has q more universal appeal
than any other play in New York IL
may be recommended to all classes Of
theatregoers. A deity written light
comedy, il is played with rare art by q
company which includes Arthur Byron,
Martha Hedman and Wallace Eddinger.
Victor Mapes and Winchell Smith are
the authors.
"A Pair of Silk Stockings" at the
Booth. is a light comedy distinguishes
both in written and acted form. Sam
Sothern is the leading man. IL is prob
ably the wittiest play in New York, and
the fact that it is politely improper
will shock nobody who has intelligence
enough TO appreciate the play.
Rolling Stones" at the Harris, bare
" crowds into the comedy class, for
many of its situations are farcical. lt
is a bright, lively show. but without
great distinction either in dramatic
form or acting. Edgar Selwyn has re-
written the play in order to eliminate
certain reprehensibe traits of the hero,
and criticism of the play in its new
form will appear later.
Farces.
"Hit-the- Trail Holiday" By George
/ Cohan. at the Aston Theatre. is a live
/ ly farce of the Cohan type, but not
up to the authors best. The play
abounds in laughs. but structurally IL
is exceedingly inept, and Fred Niblo,
although pleasant. fails to make the
chief character convincing. As enter
tainment for the tired business man
and his somewhat weary wife. the May
may be recommended without hesita-
ton. Most of the acting honors fall
to Katherine La Sale. Joseph Allen
and Purnell B. Pratt.
Some Baby" at the Fulton. has .
good central idea and although the
play is built on somewhat broad lines
it is calculated to afford an evenings
entertainment TO all whose brows are
of the average height or under. Frank
Labor and Emma Janvier are both ex-
cellent.
Common Clay" at the Republic, is
not the only play of serious intent
In New York. but il is the only one
which falls into the drama form. AL
though a play OF much power, it pos
sesses certain marked crudities not
! only as written. but in the manner In
which it is played. The cast is a
| notable one. containing such well
known actors ms John Mason, Jane
Cowl. Russ Whytal and Robert
McWade. Up to date the play has
showed the power TO please nightly
the large audiences which It has at
tracted. II deals with sex very frank
". Cleves Kinkead OF the Harvard
/ School of dramatists is the author
Melodramas.
"Under Fire" at the Hudson The
atre. is lively war play by Roi
Cooper Megrue. The plot is Of course
highly improbable. but there Is action
galore and some good character work.
/ William Courtenay and Frank Craven
are the most prominent members OF q
good cast.
1.-THE House Of Glass" by Max Mar
Gin. at the Gambler, is a play which
proves that the arm OF the law may
overreach even coincidence itself. Much
TOO fearful for the most part, the play
has scenes of dramatic power and az
fords Mary Ryan a chance for a whole
afternoon of emotional work. Thomas
Findley has one of the best detective
parts New York has seen, and Edward
Mcclellan is also effective.
Grumpy" at the Empire, Is a first
class detective play, and 1t also af-
fords Cyril Maude an opportunity 70
show his remarkable talent in playing
the part of an old man. II is the most
exciting play in New York.
Rural Drama.
"The Road to Happiness" at the Shu.
bert Is written close 10 the popular and
conventional type of play which has
come 20 be associated with agricultural
communities. The piece gives William
Hodge ample opportunity to exploit hi,
likabie and popular personality.