The New York herald., 1920-01-17
Sculptor, Model
and Evil Man in
Bran7haU Playlet
Humor Docs Crop Into Butler
Davenport's Little Theatre in
Spite of Everything.

Butler Davenport the only theatrical
producer In the United States who never
seeks publicity. last night presented in his
iny Bramhall Playhouse. Twenty-seventh
street east of Lexington avenue, a new
play OF one act, entitled "A Figure Worth
Saving" This was added to Justice" mot
Galsworthy's) which has been playing
there.
Everythingis is symbolical in the Bramhall
Playhouse; Mr. Davenport's plays have
usually been in a way preachments. This
new one-act play. he has written advances
from that style and is essentially dra-
matte, and poetic. too. as we'll as symbolic.
But here is the drawback that follows the
Bramhall as il seeks for truth:-Mr Dav-
export never permits any humor in his
plays, and in sheer revenge it does
creep in.
Story of the Play:-The characters are
a Sculptor his Model, and an Evil Man. q
sort OF Hound. The Sculptor in dire
poverty and lofty aspiration. has finished
the clay model of statue called Woman
a nude in modest but not cringing atti-
tude. It is bitter cold. he has neither
money nor food nor fuel, and he fears he
cannot MAKE SAFE OF ttle STATUE because
the pose is too modest, the figure toe
simple. which is his Ideal.
The Model. who dYells with him In an
idealistic. limited way. is Pure Blonde
with foreign accent Gently she sug.
gests that she can Go Out and get some
money But he says no. it were far, far
better for her to stick with him and the
Ideal.
Enter the Evil Man, who uses bril-
liantine on his goatee. and broad gauge
comb on his thinning hair
He, in his rich fur coat. offers to buy
the Live Model at q generous Price. ano
passes up the statue, visible in an alcove
as mere Cold Mud. The Sculptor, without
rancor, informs him that his model does
not Shape Up along those lines. But the
Hound smiles Unpleasantly, and says
Wait.
The Sculptor is called out, and the Evi
Man begins angling for his game: Here
is where the lofty symbolism in the play
begins to attain it's Heights, but uncon-
sciously II has Funny Side. The Hound
takes out a roll of Banknotes, unsnaps
the Elastic with vicious click and selects
a Fifty. He drops the Fifty on the floor
and walks little away. He Tempts the
Model. but she Spurns him.
But YOU will come" he says, and TAX
ing a Visiting Card from his Card Case
he lays it on the table. Face Up.
Never" exclaims the Model but she
does not Stamp her Foot. He Bows ant
Leaves with a cynical Confident smile
because he knew she Had Her Foot on the
Fifty.
The model does go to him. to save th'
life Of the sculptor. who returns neal
death from starvation and cold. Sh'
comes back. but too late. for he know!
all. and dies This is really a sincer'
and affecting little play. marred only bl
little unwilling encroachments OF tn
ridiculous upon the serious.
! Mr. Davenport played the role OF tn
j sculptor very we'll. Miss Maud Van Turci
was the model and Al Dexter the villain.
Justice" which followed, is drama b,
Mr.. Davenport, in the preachment style
emphasizing views he has Of justice Z
negroes in the South. This is interesting
but full Of conscious moralizing. Mr.. Dav
enport does not ask for notices OF hi
plays, but. OF course. the actors like I
! nee in a while. and learning that Their
vas a critic in the hoIse. one OF then
locked the front door of the pretty littl
theatre, thinking to keep the reviewer II
during the whole OF Justice" 1t was al
exasperating though amusing situation
but bolt in side door yielded to muci
tugging. 1t is certain the actor who die
that trick will be pretty sharply rebuket
by Mr.. Davenport.