New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-27
THE CAST
By HAYWOOD BRoUN.

those who know and love the novel. But,
after all, what could be recommended
to wights who are not familiar with
"The History Of Pendennis"?
Without pausing TO argue, let it be
said that although "Pendennis" is a
finer novel than vanity Fair" it is
less dramatic. Pens affair with the
Fotheringay stands out as easily the
most interesting episode in the novel,
and it proves to be the best act Of the
play. There is no questioning the value
of the meeting between the Major and
Captain Costigan, although the play
wright has erred somewhat in not hold
ing this scene somewhat longer.
Pens love and loss are told in a
/ prologue which is distinctly lively.
After that the play has slight dramatic
value, although there is not little
fun in seeing the various characters
OF the book brought 20 life or there
abouts. The trip from novel TO stage
is a dangerous one, and at least one
character does not come through alive.
The Major, thank heaven, is safe.
| LanCdon Mitchell has done well by
IT, -
/ Major Pendennis is a man so stanch
that he conquered his own creator.
| Thackeray, as clearly indicated in the
title of his novel. set out 10 write a
story about Arthur Pendennis. and,
though he devoted most Of his time TO
the young hero, il is the Major whom
every reader remembers above all
. other characters in the book. Also II
/ is fair 10 presume that Thackeray set
out 20 be a little severe with the old
fellow. he was another OF those
/ snobs whom the great satlrlst loved 10
belabor Yet even in snobbery thor
oughness is a redeeming virtue. SO
whole-harted is the devotion OF the
. Major TO the world that his very vice
Of materialism becomes a virtue.
John Drew looks the old reprobate 70
the life. He indicates in any number
of ways the Majors self-sufficiency'
Z The grand air hovers over the creation.
/ One can almost fancy that he sees
! those crested invitations bullying IN the
pockets Of the Major. Best Of all, Drew
| makes clear the courage Of the old boy.
and once in the third act he gives a
fine fare Of fire. as the Major might
have done when the honor OF the mousse
I OF Pendennis was threatened.
In one respect Major Pendennis SUI
fers when he is required 20 step out
from his palatial home OF ink and
costly white paper. The fault is not
. Drew's. but Langdon Mitchell's. The
PLAYWRIGHT has committed the very
! grave crime Of sentimentaliZlnG the
major Just a mite. L is true that the
. old gentleman was finally reconciled 20
/ the union Of Laura and Pen, but ms
conversion last night was much TOO
sudden and his approach TO tears TOO
precipitate. II must be remembered
that the major had only one weak spot
and that was for his nephew.
Not enough has been made OF the
veterans habit OF referring TO Lord
| so and so and his fondness for telling
/ anecdotes Of doubtful interest about
! this and that great one in the world
Of society. In the book the Major
came TO be a bit of a bore TO the young
/ bucks. Mitchell has given him little
/ zoo much wit and vastly too much
| brevity Of expression. Il would De
better 10 allow him TO ramble on with
| mis- philosophy. Remember, it's as
Z easy 20 marry a rich woman as a poor
woman; and a deveish deal pleas
anter 10 sit down 10 a good dinner
than 20 a scrag Of mutton IN lodg-
ings" There is a little Of that to be
I sure, but not q great deal.
Drew easily dominates every scene IN
which he takes part, and there is no
reason why there should not be more or
him in the play. The character IS full
and rounded in his hands. In appear
ance. in walk. in manner, even in bend
ing a equity pair OF legs, Drew IS the
/ Major
Brandon lyman plays pleasantly as
/ Arthur Pendennis. Here 10 Is fair 70
say the drama corrects one mistake OF
| the novel. Everybody who has read the
book knows that Laura should have
! married Warrington, but IN the play
! Pen is far more attractive than his
| friend.
Alison Skipworth JIG great success
as Lady Clavering and Helen Mencken. g
! Blanche Amory is very like the visual
ization of that character which We have
always had. Captain Costlgan IS not
quite as mellow as the man OF the
book, but then Lester Lonergan is not
allowed 20 sing THE Little Doodeen.'
| Unfortunately the Back Kitchen does
not figure in the play
Jane Houston does well as Emily
Fotheringay, but the author has taken
| liberty here OF which we do not al
together approve Emily, you may re-
/ member was an actress only or the
stage. She did what Bows had taught
her. and that was the secret or her
success. In the play she is represent
ed as carrying the airs OF tragedy
queen into her home life. This is not
fair. Nor is 10 fair 70 represent inc
young lady as consumed with ambition
for a London engagement. Likely
enough she was glad 20 20. but the
lovely Emily was enthusiastic ABOUT
nothing. unless IL were a mutton pie.
Not very much is made Of little Fanny
Bolton. Still, Langdon Mitchell had no
opportunity Of picturing that wonder
fui night at Vauxhall and solving that
uoint which Thackeray left a mystery
as 20 whether Pen did or did not KISS
Fanny after the rockets went out.
The characters who were damaged
bevond recognition in the transition
from book 20 play arc Harry Foker ana
Mrs Pendennis. Mrs. Pendennis Is one
Of the few good women whom Ihack-
eray succeeded in making az all lifellke'
Even the Major thought her one OF the
finest ladies' in England. In the play
sbe is less than the dust. The failure
Iof Harry Foker is due entirely 70 tne
sntbor he seems 70 have lost sight
entirely Of the broadly comic POSSIBLE
ties Of the pudgy little man. SO care
jeqs have the producers been m this
regard that Fofer appears before US as
rafbe~ slight ,n build. He does no
honor 10 the breweries Of his father.
Major Pendennis' is not much OF
. riav hut IL is interesting as visual
"a action. Then. too. the work Of
nrc,y h well worth while. His scene
4, which he defies Pen 20 go and marry
Fanny should cnlighten such theatre
goers as believe that ore" can SWING
na.bln0 hut light comedy.