The sun., 1916-10-22
~ LAWRENCE REAMER.

|" HE Hattons have done an in
tercsting and original thing in
L writing Upstairs and Down."
although Il Is by no means sure that
I hey have done 1t in the best way pos
shle. But there is a contrast In the
spirit Of this comedy and the usual
banali,y with which all studies of
social life at the present day are put
on the stage. There is occasionally
I bme OF the freedom and daring in
studies OF society that find themselves
between the pages OF n novel. But
he usual stage treatment OF such
phases Of life is hopelessly
,onal and unfaithful to the reality.
There is. Of course. no representa-
ton of actual country life on Long
Island in this play from the West.
y, paints as close a picture OF reality
y the foreign nations used to have
n American society before there were
more serious things TO occupy their
minds. American millionaires always
entertain with monkeys at the table.
Or It may be that their pet dogs are
always entertained at n formal BAN
cue, once at least during the Newport
season. The Continental nations have
long entertained that view Of the
habits Of American society. The Hat
] tons have pictured social existence on
lLong Island in somewhat the same
vulors. So as a slice Of life. even a
very tough and gamy slice OF life. II
cannot he accepted.
But there Is a delightful audaclty
In the way in which the authors un-
hesi,atingly project what Is their own
conception Of the existence OF the idle.
] -hey are supposed to dissipate and
bore themselves until sensation and
inslncerity are all they are able TO
enjoy IN life. Then there comes. OF
course, the inevitable safety. But
until that point Is reached there Is
amusement TO be got out of observing
tust such characters. There Is unde-
| LloDA' NV sloll III Sl'N"h' 1870
Down. else the Cort Theatre would not
" crowded with laughing hundreds
every night. But there are opportuni-
Mites in the subject which the authors
D<slected for another kind OF amuse-
lment,
Had We playwrights such as Lave
can or Donnay, Schnitzler or Bahr or
Wedekind, there might be an alto
etther different treatment or such
subject ms this drama possesses. Bu'
In It's freedom from the scruples tina
assail the average playwright Up
stairs and Down" is n promising con
t'hution 10 the American theatre.
Nothing in the piece has been NOR
criticised than the action Of the "bab!
vampire" who TO get her clutches on 0
.enan she loves deliberately accuse
him ~ having wronged her. Mos
American playwrights would haV'
kshuddered with horror at the suggcs
Ion that they should use such an IN
&cident. They were writing about so
clety and In such a milieu there coul'
- nothing so indicative OF moral de
pravity. Exactly the contrary Is true
No class IN society possesses all IN
virtues nor all the vices. 1t Is In thei
recognition OF this that the Hatton
have done the greatest service to tn
theatre by writing a play so frank.
The subject always appeals to IN
Playwright. No more successful treat
nent OF the theme has ever bee
known than "High Life Below stairs,
which put a century OF popularity
It's credit, The aristocrat as he ar
peals 10 Jcemes Yellowplush and as n
thinks himself to be make a twofo!
character that is bound to he success
ful before any audience. The tempe
ate butler in Upstairs and Down
who il compelled to witness the liba
lions Of the guests; the philanderin
/u|aiet, who Is as unprincipled as h
master; the parlor maid, who Won
not he caught anywhere guilty or II
!mprudences of conduct that are fr'
Qu"nt enough upstairs-an these cha
scters are skilfully. and. moreove
'ear.essly drawn. Indeed. in It's ~
aaci'y more than in any other quali
Goes this latest play OF the Hattol
ceserve to ne praised. Possibly son
Other American playwrights Will
tempted to 90 in search OF life instci