The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-01

The Times Square. latest of New
Yorks modern theatres, was opened to
the public last night on the north side OF
Forty-second street west of the Lyric.
1t is a handsome playhouse. done in the
style of Adam, ana seems destined to be
u popular temple of the dramatic art as
New York enjoys it. The play was THE
Mirage" by Edgar SeIwyn. VINO is also
a member of the managerial firm which
owns the new house. The audience liked
the new drama as well as the new thea
tire. 1t is a sentimental and highly the
atrical piece, rather old fashioned in its
ethics, but generally absorbing in its
fiction. Then its humor is rather genu-
inc in tone. Miss Florence Reed played
the leading role with many OF the quail
ties required for its best Interpretation
She was beautifully alluring, warm and
appealing in the physical sense, which is
the dominating characteristic of the part
of the woman of pleasure.
Mr. Selwyh has undertaken in "The
Mirage to conduct his audience on a
seeing New York tour of certain kind
He shows them social phases of metro
politan existence instead Of the more
the home--a very exquisite and tasteful
room moreover-of a young woman who
like many others calls herself Mrs. al
though none of the usual signs of matri-
mony is present She lives In luxury
and even helps to support her small town
family, which is on a visit TO her when
the play begins.
Only a younger brother is suspicious
OF the situation. He is looked upon as
merely bad msniered When she meets
an old sweetheart from their town, hnds
him more or less eminent in business and
still in love with her, she does not hest
tate to take advantage Of marriage with
man she loves and respects. She keeps
still, moreover, as to the years OF her
life in New York.
In act two which is another rich and
uncommonly beautiful view Of wealthy
New York mans home. Mr. Selwyn Still
shows the audience some phases OF
existence here that are bound to open
the eyes OF the yokel. incidentally he
seems to be reaching out for some OF
the appreciation that went to the gold
diggers of yesteryear. 1t seems that
metropolitan captains of finance do not
make business the sordid downtown af-
fair II has been thought to be- One Of
them is entertaining a visiting delega-
ton I'm this beautiful home of his and
the lure OF feminine charm IS not absent.
A bevy OF butterflies f1utter in to enter
tain the big men Of business from other
towns. Among these is the country
fnancier and among the butterflies is
the woman he had promised few hours
before to marry without suspecting what
she had become.
If the primrose path seemed inviting
in the first act its charm was less In
the second In the third there was only
the ashes of roses The play seemed TO
end on an unresolved chord in that the
heroine had lost both lovers. But In
reality there was the sense that she
was starting out again on the old career
but possibly in new pastures. certainly
with new companions. And that was m
spite Of her promise TO go away on
trip with mother which did not seem
in the least convincing.
Alan Dinehart was splendidly natural
as the small town rnancier of high prin-
ciples. He always makes n distinct and
living creature of every portrayal Miss
Florence Nash was again piquant and
CANINE as a youthful gold digger NAL
colin Williams seemed anything but
captain OF industry. Miss Catherine
Proctor gave a touching portrayal OF the
mother. while her critical son was real
istically played by William williams.
The production was admirably lavish and
efficient. The play is certain to interest
the public for n long time