New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-14

cdhItH UtCOTNt 0uIfltu ohN
Next there is an empty bird cage, and
finally a little box in which there lies
canary with its neck twisted. with
these clews and the conversation of the
women the life Of the couple in the
forlorn farm is brought before US. No
direct statements are made for the
benefit of the audience. Like the
women, they must piece out the story
by inference. Thus We are not told
that the dead man was morose, but
merely learn OF the dislike and horror
which one of the women had for visit
ing the farm. The canary was the
only bright living thing In that gloomy
house in the hollow, and we under
stand at length, even as the women do'
that the husband was killed when ms
wife few into fit of rage because OF
the killing of the bird.
Not only is the case well establlshed.
but the story is brought 10 mind WHO
lv enough TO induce the audience 10
share the sympathy of the women Tor
the wife and agree with them that the
trfes which tell the story should not
be revealed to the Investigators. :.
1t is impossible to give any idea OF
the effectiveness OF the authors
slow but steady method Of building
bit by bit. The only criticism whoch
may be made is that attention is
directed at first to one or two
things about the room which are truly
trif1es and have no bearing or the final
solution of the problem. Conspicuously
good acting is done in this plav by
Elinor VI. Cox. as one of the women
visitors to the farm. and Marjorie Von-
negut and John King are also effective.
- Ana nj
things the PLAYERS have ever done.
Clever, but in much more familiar
manner, is Another Way Out" by
of marriage, on the ground that only
the married may have their fling.
Margaret and Gerard are living in o
free union and find themselves ever
so enmeshed in their relationship, be-
cause the rest OF their Washington
Square friends take more pains to ask
them out together than if they were
married. Then there is that awful
woman on the floor above, who insists
on playing the Wedding March many
times a day, just as mint and a re
buke. Each agrees TO become COM
promised with some one else in order
to save their beautiful home life, but
il is impossible. Both the book agent
and the artistic milliner refuse to be-
come mixed up with anybody who is
tied so fast as to be a party in free
love union.
At the end Margaret and Gerard
take the hint of the lady on the floor
above and decide to seek freedom in
matrimony. The play has some clever
dialogue, and moves along at merry
pace. 1t is shade too flip and more
than a bit too pat, but the audience
enjoyed it hugely last night. Robert
Strange, as the book agent, is con-
spicuous in an excellent cast. He
makes the most of some splendid OPP
portunities for fun. Miss Wynne and
Helen Wesley are also excellent. We
are obliged to say Miss Wynne, for
the proofroom would never believe us
that il really is Gwladys Wynne.
"Bushido," the Japanese historical
tragedy, is a splendid achievement, In
costuming and setting it is remarkable.
The play serves to show just how much
the drama Of the world has in common.
Despite methods of presentation big
moment is a big moment. There is a
least common denominator for the world
stage. or do we mean a highest common
factor? At any rate there is such a
thing as universal drama. But this pur-
ple patch at which all the world must
wonder or applaud is brief. After
bit we 90 our way and the japanese
goes his. Ii would be more effective
for an American audience to have a
quick curtain after the revelation OF
the fact that the father has knowingly
sacrificed his son for the sake of the
child of his deposed lord and master
The Japanese author, however, is dis
posed TO hold his grief and rub 1T in.
He is not so prodigal of moods as an
occidental author. Moreover, the play
is only a snatch from Japanese drama
which is devised to run for twelve hours.
Despite the definite statement TO the
contrary East and West may meet well
enough, but they must part again.
Jose Ruben gives an extraordinary
impressive performance as the father
who sacrifices his son. 1t is the best
bit of acting of the evening, and we
would be hard put to it to think of any
local player who could improve upon
the performance of the young French
recruit of the Washington Square Play
ers. Next in skill to Ruben are some
we'll trained children, who add great
deal to the success of the play. Flor
ence Enright and Marjorie Vonnegut
are also effective. The altogether ad-
mirable set for the play was designed
by William Pennington and Micio ltow.
The play was staged under the dlrec-
tion Of Itow and Edward Goodman. This
is the most difficult piece OF business
the players have attempted, and 1t is
we'll worth the doing. "Altruism" will
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