The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-11
new COMEDY AT THE
BELASCO THEATRE
"Thc Boomerang" Seen for the
First Time in New
York.
THREE ACTS OF GOOD FUN

Tho opening OF the Belasco Theatre,
which took place last night, Is always
an event OF Importance In the theatrical
lie OF the city. Mr.. Belasco, mt once
manager and producer In the sense that
the designation used to be understood,
has accustomed the public TO finding
behind his footlights the finest achieve
ments IN the art of the native theatre.
But his record needs no repetition here,
although there are few Incidents which
afford the New York public so much
cause for pride as the thought that this
playhouse. with all that II represents.
y altogether a metropolitan institution.
Nj Belasco began the present year
with an essay In a field in which he
has not always been so happy as in
some others. "The Boomersng,' which
winohell Smith and Victor Mapes wrote
for him, Is a comedy. There are among
Mr.. Belascos many admirers some who
value more his efforts in the serious
drama. II is in this field that his great
-, successes ave been won. But there
was first the interest attached to such
Q novel opening for the pla yhouse.
How the boomerang Works.
The boomerang which the joyful
Australian hurls through the air some
times recoils on the person who starts 1t
IN motion. The application of the title
to the subject matter of the play may
be gathered from q recital of It's in
cidents. To a young physician comes a
SRI, not in search of treatment. ~ he
AAI h.tASl 100 l.autaY tA- .x.arl. A,l
she Is Installed as his nurse. nothe
visitor Is a real patient. brought by his
mother. who cannot tell what ails him,
But the physician. whose profession is
TO discover what ails his patients. soon
detects symptoms of such jealousy as
TO be applicable as the cause OF all his
visitors illness. Evidently the object OF
his patients affection does not recipro
cate. She is indeed interested in a GER
tain other person. II Is the doctors
theory that she should be made Jealous
and thus grow TO return the love OF the
man who has become Ill on her account.
So he sends along the new nurse in
order that she may act as the antidote
and cause The Indifferent beloved to
grow Jealous. All these incidents hap
pen in the Office Of the young doctor.
The prescription proves perfectly
suited 10 the case. But II has "A second
uTy tlcCl WHICH Is fOt al All "a DNtTI OF
the Doctors plans. He falls violently in
love with the young woman who has
done 30 much to max his patient I'M
happy. He Is just as Jealous OF the
young mar In whom she takes an in
terest as his patient was. But he is
less unhappy. since he succeeds. after
the sufferings that come from his own
jealousy. in winning the young woman
whom his patient loved. The patient,
0NU n,s - Il
there Is no ground for unhappiness on
his part. The second act passes in the
wins room OF this young woman's house
and the third returns to the office.
Full of the Spirit Of Youth.
The usual first night audience, which
Included most of the theatres celebri-
Ties not at present occupied in theatres
OF their own took the greatest delight
in the new comedy of Mr.. Smith n
Mr. Mapes- The play Is in its present
form too long for It's content. But that
DID not interfere with the enjoyment
OF the spectators.
The new work is full OF the spirit
OF youth its scenes are cleverly devised
Aho there is much In It's treatment of
the question OF medical prartice which
VIII appeal to the public. Both Mr..
Mapes and Mr.. Smith, who had to thank
mo audience after the second act. are
experienced in their field and to their
skill was added Mr.. Belasco's ability
20 present a play of this or any other
KIND. Indeed the acting OF the principal
Taes was uncommonly hne
wallace Eddinger, as the invalid, who
mad to have his body treated when only
ms emotions were affected Arthur
Byron, as the doctor who found his first
patient and looked after him so success
iuiiy, and Ruth Shepley as the firtatious
beloved, were admirable. Martha He'd
mans acting as the nurse was full, of
charm and distinction.
The evening was one to bring COM
piete satisfaction to the playwrights, to
AR, Belasco and above all to the public.
which Is after all the most important
element IN he copsid.rad