The New York herald., 1921-02-15
Miss Taylor Plays
Peg o. My Heart
for 1,138th Time
Less Hoydenish but as Charm
ing as Ever OH Revival of
Manners Play.

Miss Laurette Taylor did not slide on
the ChicheAers drawing room carpet
with quite the old hoydenish manner
last night. Perhaps the fact that she
was playing Peg o. Ny Heart for the
1,138th time had something to do with
making her feel less kittenish. But
more likely 1t was the fact that when
she came back to the Cort Theatre,
where she got her start" In j. Hartley
Manners's comedy in 1919. she realized
that nowadays there was no need to be
sentimental till il hurt
For. comparing with the past her per-
forinance of the role of the little Irish
American colleen transplanted TO the
home OF her aristocratie English rela-
tives, one felt that she was decidedly
less sentmental-perhaps she had seen
"Poilyanna" since then and taken warn
Ing. The wide smile was less in evt'
dence, SO that when II did break out
II had more the effect of a cloudburst
than ever. Nor did she resort so much
TO the trick of popping open her eyes
suddenly. as though she had been asked
If Ireland was great country. iief
eyebrows got very little of the acting
honors. Yet by added simplicity and
sincerity she seemed to have human
lied Peg more than ever. so that the role
was lifted far beyond display OF
Irish quips and good teeth.
Her Sense OF HumOr.
lowering over the whole performance
was Miss TayloTs lambent sense of
humor, for which one was all the more
grateful after trying to sit through
Paddy the Next Best Thing" Truly
Miss Taylor has developed into highly
finished actress after being seasoned by
"Over There" and One Night in Rome"
Her shading of expression was more
delicate than ever. her lightninglike
change of mood more defty turned, and
first nighters We're given a rare treat in
acting which led even the young dra-
matte critics to tap their canes roundly
after the Continental manner.
And behold, there was Michael to
share their acclaim himseif-or rather,
herself, for the terrier seems to have
been misleading the public on an inn
portant point. it had been reported that
Michael had settled down TO raising
family, but. though Miss Taylor eX-
planned that Michaer5 reluctance 10 per-
form indicated "he had never been cut
out for an actress" he--or she--never-
theiess, condesccnded to appear and
yawn gracously Michael bore herself
much more grayely than before-she
seemed 10 nave lelI pS-
hind, too. But the rapturous applause
melted her to wag her tail in a way
that Miss Taylor explained she never
had seen before.
Her Curtain Speech.
The welcome caused Miss Taylor to
make a curtain speech, and In the midst
OF her explanation that she hadn't
wanted to play reg again, and only did
IL for legal reasons, the curtain unac-
oountabiy descended. When IL rose Miss
Taylor must have been reminded Of an
other reception on n first night. for in
resuming her serial speech she said that
she felt much happier than on that "one
night in London" and confided TO the
audience that she never would feel quite
sure OF the people out front again.
Mr.. Manners's play carries its age well,
and even at this poignant period the
speeches on Ireland could still raise a
laugh. Miss Taylor. who looked in her
auburn wig as young as ever. was ably
supported by A. u. Matthews. playing
Jerry, as tho programme obligingly an
nounced, for the l,03Tth time Percy
Ames as 4ldric. 400th time; Miss Greta
Kemble Cooper, Thomas a. Braidon,
Miss Maud Milton and others OF an eX-
celient company whose number of times
AT bat fere also listed. Altogether, II Is
a delightful way to spend an evening
and, oh, yes. the thunderstorm Is as GOOD
as ever.