New-York tribune., 1916-12-26

Doubtless many thousands Of drama
lists in the years to come will write plays
in which woman, unskilled though
she is in financial matters, dares to pit
her wits against those OF man IN
transaction involving millions-sndi
perhaps there will eventually be one OF
them who will dare 70 let the man WIN
out There may even arise super
drsmatist who will deny his hnancier
the privilege Of rolling an unlighted
cigar around in his mouth as matters
approach a thrd-act climax, although
it is admitted that that is great deal
to ask. So,
shirley KAYE" the comedy in which
Elsie Ferguson returned 70 these parts
al the Hudson Theatre last evening
pavs obeisance to the conventional IN
moro WAYS than the foregoing. IL is
the work Of a new playwright, HuiperI
Footner. who, if he strayed out OF the
theatre at all in concocting his comedy,
did 50 only that he might buy Harol d
MacGrath's latest novel. The piece, in
fact. is reminiscent Of countless plays
and best sellers, and might be set down
as "Thc Lion and the Mouse" rs II
would be rewritten by George Barr Nc
Cutcheon. =,
The formula which Mr.. Footner fol-
lows permit. him, however, TO evolve
several situations which are no Tess
amusing merely because they happen
TO have been used many times before.
The familiar expedient Of the Juxtapo-
sition of persons from widely sepa-
rated social strata. together with the
ingenuousness Of the person from the
lower stratum, is employed to excellent
advantage. Ones interest also Will be
held after a fashion by the main story
although il must be admitted that u
has its silly moments. The influence
OF woman upon the business arairs
OF man dare not be questioned, but
IL is bit inconceivable that crying
spell, however prolonged, could settle
the election OF railroad president.
This little piece, Of course, never
would have been produced at all II IL
had not been that Miss Ferguson re-
auired vehicle" II has, in truth, all
the familiar vehicular aspects, but II
YOU like your Elsie Ferguson, Willy
nilIv. YOU will probably like "Shirley
Kaye" Miss Ferguson has done better
things than her Shirley Kaye; she
gives. nevertheless. viyacious and
pleaslnS performance n NANoiN,
citation might make it, in addition,
audible TO persons in the rear OF the
auditorium, which it could not have
been last night. Miss Ferguson, as
member of high society, treated her
words contemptuously, as though con
scious Of the fact that they are Che
same words used by ordinary mortals.
The supporting company is in all
cases thoroughly satisfactory, and IN
two instances considerably above that.
Lee Baker, in the leading male role,
presents manly figure and gives
performance vibrant with personality.
A cry having been raised concerning
the scarcity of good leading men. 1t Is
a bit strange that Mr.. Baker has been
permitted to remain so long out OF
New York lie is the man who played
here for a time the role created by the
late Lewis Waller in "The Garden OF
Allah" but if he has played any other
parts hereabouts in the interim they
have escaped the eye Of the casual OBJ
server.
The second performance of unusual
excellence is that of Mrs. jacques Mar
tin. from whom performances OF that
sort are always expected.