New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-26
Nv HECTOR TURNBULL.

ny MY lux IL NNbi III.
Ethel Barrymore made her first ap-
pearance last night at the Empire in
"The Shadow" play originally writ
ten for Rciane. but brought to this
country for its premier because of tho
present theatrical conditions abroad.
Considered a. a vehicle for Miss Barry
more. IL is undoubtedly the best she
has had. II gives her scope for dis
play of talent as an emotional actress
that none would believe she possessed.
even those of US who saw her playing
in Mid Channel" Her performance
was truly remarkable. SO remarkable,
in fact, that il gives the play an in
terest far beyond its deserts as a piece
OF dramatic art.
The play is built upon single
tragic event that vitality affects the
lives Of four persons. A successful
Young artist and critic has 2 wife who
is completely paralyzed in all her
limbs. She has been helpless in this
condition for eight years. Three years
before the play opens the young hus-
band has fallen in love with a young
woman, a friend % his wife. She
leaves her husband and lives with
the artist. After time she obtains
her divorce, they establish a home, a
child is born, and still they contrive
10 deceive the invalid with perfect
success.
Suddenly a miracle occurs. The in
valid regains the use OF her limbs
completely. She waits until she IS
quite able TO walk, and then, TO sur
prise ner husband, visits his studio.
Here. OF course, she sees both his mis-
tress and their child and learns OF
her husbands long deception. At the
end she decides to give her husband to
the woman he loves and leave them to
their happiness.
This is told in three acts of unrelent-
ing emotional strain, both on the play
ers and upon the audience. Ihe
tragedy and suffering arising from the
one source is displayed in all its
varied effects upon the characters in
different conditions ad circumstances.
Interesting il undoubtedly is, and har-
rowing to the last degree, but when one
considers that it all has its source
in an apparent miracle, and that the
miracle is shown upon the stage, the
fabric takes on a look of artiiiclality
that robs it of much Of its dramatic
effect.
-
problem Of staging d miracle so that II
quite overcomes the peculiar psychic
logical effect such scenes have upon an
audience in theatre. We know these
cures, by faith, or by medicine, are
happening on occasion in everyday life
and yet even while granting their pos
sibility we are loath to admit their
probability in any given set of theat-
=. Cd oil q q And
if the fundamentals of the plays fabric
depend upon such cure. then so much
the worse for the play, however inter
esting TO watch.
Miss Barrymore does a great deal 10
against "The Shadow" II is after
leaving the theatre, and not while she
is playing, that one thinks of the
rather shaky foundation of the play.
Her picture of the invalid, so long ut
terly helpless, and suddenly brought
back TO life and what she thought TO
be a wonderful happiness with low
ing husband, was fine thing to see.
In her other scenes. all pitched at the
highest key Of emotional strain, yet all
requiring a different form OF express
sion. she PLAYED with equal finish and
with an astounding degree of intensity.
Never once did she lose her grip upon
the audience throughout the entire per
Torrance and never once did the audi
ence cease 10 suffer with her.
This is a great tribute TO her Skill.
for the authors were clever enough in
presenting their problem to shift con-
stantly the demand for sympathy.
Each character affected by the tragic
affair had claims. and. like all such
horrible catastrophes in life. the re-
suit was inevitable misery and suffer
ing for all.
Bruce McRae easily won second hon
ors as the husband. His playing is al
ways pleasure TO watch. but in this
difficult role he acted with so much in
telligence and finish and so nice judg-
ment in gesture that he appeared to
surpass himself Grace Elliston gave
the role Of the mistress dignity and
air of refinement that showed both
skill and judgment, and Ernest Law
ford made the devoted friend whimsical
and appealing.
Despite her splendid support, how
ever, il is Ethel Barrymore's play. and,
although il promises narrowing even
ING. it is decidedly worth seeing.