New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-28
AMERICAN PLAYS
CHEERING LONDON
Theatrical Editor Says
They Are Seriously Com
peting with English.
MELODRAMAS AND
FARCES POPULAR
War Has Made Simple Plays
Most Effective-"pOtash and
Perlmutter' Praised.

Iron Special C,uaganlcni o. TIE Tribune
London. Nov. H. After careful
study of the American plays offered
this season in London. Henry Belcham.
editor Of "Tho Era the leading the
atrical paper Of Enci@ad has expressed
some gratifying opinions in regard to
the situation In an interview with
Tribune correspondent Mr Belcham
said:
"The writers or things dramatic used
- call the annua! crop Of PLAYS from
TIC other side the American INVASION
or a phrase Of an equally rigid sig
rihcancc. We have learned better
since. and now gladly acknowledge that
the stage Of the states and the United
kingdom are simply intcrchanginG
their attractions and that the prcccss
IS good for both.
Romance comes % London ana
'Quinney's' goes to New York. Surely
10 theatrical entente between the Two
great English speaking nations cOuid
lie more happily contaminated. we
are not pCrturbcd at the real success
Of those American pieces which we
have welcomed and which are drawing
ondoncrs IN crowds 10 our Leaning
theatres. But we may perunently
seek out the reason Of their success.
AN American writer says that Eu-
ropc is satisfied with pretty much the
STANDARD type IF clay. Within tnat
tvpc. however, the American play
viiehts put forward q great body OF
stimulating thought.
There was stimulating thought H.
"rhc Lion and the Mouse, by Charles
Klein. which made the London critics
hail il with some approach to rapture.
1t was produced at the Duke of lork's
Theatre ia 1906. That was the begin
ming OF the influx. which has increased
stcadiiV since then.
"The 'highbrows' Just now are at a
discount. Plays must be on the sim
plest lines. That is the reason for the
sttractiveness Of the American output.
Iondoners prefer sheer relaxation. and
they find 1t in Peg O. My Heart an
excellent specimen of the star play, IN
which child of nature brings about a
juxtaposition of the sympathetic and
the austere.
Before the war we were welcoming
new thought in the theatre and looking
for a new vision in everything. Now
we are satisfied with the play of in
genuousness as long as it possesses Vi
vacity and color and d. distinguished
by the heartcning faculty.
1--WE have learned, moreover, to look
70 the American playwrights for fun at
high pressure in their eXhilaratmg
farces and for genuine thrills in their
melodrama. These traits arc TO be
found in plenty in the attractions from
the other side.
1--WE find these qualities admirably
ana agreeably sutfusng every scene IN
Potash and Perlmutter.' The farce ele-
ment is never really obtrusive. and
there is a wonderful piece Of character
drawing that kindly. lovable soul OF
Abe Potash.
"As for Edward Sheldon's 'Ro-
nance, while it may be a case of the
player making the play, II completely
holds in thrall large audiences at the
Duke Of York's Since those days in
the So when AuSustin Daily intro
duced Ada RehGn 20 London to play IN
comedy. we have had no greater per-
sonality from the other side than Doris
keane She realizes 10 the full the
southern temperament of Cavallini.
She makes us feel the singers soul
torture IS her own.
zone cannot resist the melody and
charm Of The Only Girl the best
American comedy with music that has
reached London since The Belle Of
New York 1t is pleasant throughout.
The lines are smart and the comedy is
tXhilarating.
Then. there are the more solid,
melodramatic thrills Of Kick In and
the lighter joys Of stop, Theft and
the frivolous responsibilities of New
York revues to be found at our chief
variety theatres All indicate the in
renuty and advance of the American
playwright, who. TO use cant Yankee
phrase. is delivering the goods ald
seriously competing with our own
stage authors in the English play mar
let Bu. the competition is good; the
increase Of i~amatist- signifies greater
variety Of play, greater opportunity
for the player and arnpler means TO
serve the stage"