Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-17
Breezy Re0iew
of Gotham Shows
Play With UnattractiUe
Name Holds CroWd
on Hot Days.
ny ZAYDA GL,oyI:u

III IA IN GLOW IsR.
NEW YORK. August ia play that
can crowd New York thcatcr for scy-
.Tai months during the winter season
= accounted a real hit. But = play
through the sizzlin.; summer months
must TIC considered smash.
John er nson" = unattractivc
enough as namc-is such a play
In spite Of all sorts Of unfavorabie
weather, II has continued its even
crowded way at the Fulton Thcatcr.
IL attracts all classes and appears to
nave an appeal for all hearts.
Where its remarkable strength and
drh"ihe power lie is somewhat OF a
imH"!e' noth TO critics and TO audi
required Of successful play. 1t has
an UNHAPPY ending. II is almost total
~ lacking in humcr. 1t docs not have
much action. IL is exceedingly "talky.''
IL mas 4 strong religious tone.
Under handicaps such as these il
would seem difficult for a play to sur
EiFe LONG. but "Jonn Ferguson" grows
in strength ana appeal with the days.
vehls it's powerful hold 1t is human
to the last degree. 1t depicts life
simply and truthfully. II reflects our
hopes our sorrows and our souls. 1t
SHOWS us what We are and what We
would lake to be. 1t shows the hear,
OF a nome and the motives loving
ana selfish. which animate it, II
deals With simple people and shows US
our prim! tive instincts. In short, il is
play Of hearts. Why say more?
Inc simple story is presented with a
cast that is as ahIo and we'll bala need
as has been seen on the New York
stage in Il long while. The PLAYERS
Aave been fitted 10 characters with
almost uncanny Judgment. There is
not part IN which tho actor or actress
does not seem TO live and breathe the
character one sits through the per-
throats and rises at the end with A
sohcrcd sense Of having seen three
hours OF real life. tragic but convinc-
John Ferguson" revolves around a
simple irish farmer family OF four
Inc Biblc reading, charitable. in
Val!ded father the ambitious mother
spirited. beautiful daughter. ana a
.oEal. out disheartened son.
owing - the nonappearance Of an
expected letter from Johns brother in
AmtFiga' a mortgage on the ancestral
clustering, cahous landowner. "ho
has an eye on the attractive Hannah
In spirit. Of sacrifice Hannah con
Who offers, rot only TO lit the mort
gage. but afford the son. Andrew. an
opportunity 70 continue his study for
IN" ministry. The landowner jccrs AT
iannahs choice OF husband, at which
Shc S!sps his face. The two admirers
have i tusslc. in which the grocer is
Sorsted and left sniveling on the floor.
clut!c. half wittcd piper, enjoying
the Ferguson hospitality for the night
hears the screams Of Hannah. who has
been dispatches 10 inform the landlord
he may forcc!osc the mortgage because
She cannot bring herself 10 marry the
ycllow streaked sutton. II. brings her
taint!nly hysterical 10 her father. wno
drAws the story OF her dishonor by ta-
landlord from her biz by bit.
The craven makes big talk abou,
going to KIN the assa.laar, and de.
parts on MS seeming errara Tne son
Aroods while Cutie sug-cstively pic
lures the grocer, not killing the land.
owner. but shIvcring under ,ae bed.
clothes a, home. SO clevcrly does he
work on the susceptible son that An
drew departs on his deadly GRAND
after the family have retired, and is
back ere they arise next day. The
craven suito-. suspected OF The land.
owners murder. is arrested and jailed
( for inc crime.
The fateful letter. containing the re.
mittance TO nft the mortgage. ar
r!vcs as a mockery. and the grief.
stricken fathe! urges the son to go 10
America 10 avoid the consequences Of
mis- deed. But Andrew insists on jus
tice TO himself and the release of the
innocent man. His sister accompanies
him "a be goes to jail and father and
mother are left 20 brood over their
broken household