New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-10
Mews of the Play World

ing without straining his vocal cords or
roughing the object OF his affections.
he keeps a rather difficult part inter
esting and engaging when II might be
made sappy without much effort.
Scenically the production at the Co
Ian and Harris Theatre Is pleasing
The general scheme of the set does not
quite show the knack which the Japan
csc have of being auStere without sac
rifcing richness. There is a little too
much detail 10 the picture The light
ing, on the other hand, can hardly be
improved We think The Willow
Tree" in its present form is one Of the
most satisfactory entertainments Of the
season. In a good many points IL falls
short OF sheer art. but 10 is lofty COM
promise for the most part. and good
compromise is not TO be scorned in the
theatre Of New York OF anywhere else.
Magic has only week more at the
Maxine Elliott, and unless another
theatre can be found Chesterton's fan
ciful play must move on. This would
be a pity, because the play is one OF
the most interesting OF the season.
u is easy 20 point out that IN many
respects the construction OF the play
is far from orthodox. but that by no
means makes il certain that 10 is inept.
George Moore, in writing about
Magic said: 81 am not eXaggeratlnc
when say that think Of all modern
plays | like IL the best Mr.. Chester
ton wished 20 express an idea, and his
construction and his dialogue are the
best that he could have chosen for the
expression OF that idea; therefore
look on the play as practically per-
feet
Although Magic" is distinctly a play
for small public, the people who like
10 will like it deeply. That is better
thin pleasing many little. Somebody
or other has said that n pretty good
pla Is like a pretty good egg. There
can be no neutral attitude toward
Magic" IL is so brave a play that ~
succeeds entirely or fails entirely. The
little public which will like Magic
enormously is large, as far as round
numbers go, but il il not alert II all
those who love rare things in the thea
ire will get together, it may be pos
sible TO make a place for Magic at
some other theatre. The run should
not end next week, for those who have
not seen this joyous play OF Chester
tons and the admirable acting OF Mr..
Heggie and Miss Nesbitt are tyranni-
cal oppressors OF their own delight.
Sometimes we get in the mood Of not
taking our responsibility and all that
sort of thing seriously, but just this
week we have been called back 10 q
strict sense Of duty by sudden shock
or, more explicitly, postcard. The
clarion call was as follows:
mo review of The Willow Tree this
morning We're you sick or soused last
night, or what was the matter with
you? Every morning after you owe
your readers review, or an excuse, on
an explanation, or an apology, or some
thing.-Disgusted."
All we can say TO Mr.. u. IS that the
opening performance Of "The Willow
Tree" was long and that We were I'M
able TO make the first edition.
II is JOY to get letters from readers
only excepting those who want 10 know
the names of the original cast OF
Resurrection or the age Of Mar
guerite Clark, and, of course, praise Is
more welcome than blame. The blood
boiling story drew more letters than
anything We have yet written, and VIC
wish TO thank "A Woman of No Re
finement," A. r. B.. r. l.. r., sal
tuarius" and "Muriel."