The New York herald., 1921-09-25

to suffer in order that there may be
money enough for the favorite son in
the medical school at Dublin is already
disgusted with him when the first
act Of the play Is reached. Ali refuse
to help make him some hot toast. Yet
every woman Of the family surrepti-
tiously goes her way and, when the
curtain is about to fall. appears with a
plate OF freshly Drowned bread for him.
The Favorite of the Family.
Just as true to this irresistible
alteration for the favorite of the fam
ily Is the generosity with which every
thing Is showered on him in the last
scene. He has done nothing but en-
| Joy himself in Dublin and miss his
degree. He does not want to go to
Canada, but. like some other spoiled
| sons, he is capable at times Of a
brave gesture. So he marries the girl
of his choice. engages two rooms In
No,dn's cottage and prepares to work
on the street repairing machine.
Although the two families ever
since the daughter of the betrothed
threatened suit for damages have
haggled fercely. II is to the white
headed boy that all the money which
has passed in these transactions so
easily flows. He gets the post of man
ager in the cooperative store, although
1t has been promised to another
brother. who is quite completely for
gotten. The Geoghegans paid no less
than f20 in cash, check for E200
more and a hundred pounds as well
as a promise from a rich widow to
marry In order that the Duffys might
be appeased. All this fortune slips
easily into the pockets OF the pampered
youth for no other reason than the
existence of white headed boys the
world over. who, without in the least
claiming any such right, appear to be
born to inherit the earth.
Mr.. Robinson's comedy is 30 anus
ing without apparent effort so rich in
human nature and rests so lightly on
the frailties of mankind that It Is un-
commonly fine entertainment. It's
points are not emphasized but defi-
nitely revealed It's composition Is so
deft that there is no impression of
craftsmanship In any line. Such is
the fine art that conceals. Now the
Abbey Theatre has produced a play
wright who has every quality for
success In any field.
''The Easiest Ways" Appeal.
Nobody who has read the enthusiasts
tic accounts OF the revival of "The
Easiest Way" has failed to note the
record that the merits OF the play are
IA impressive as ever. Mr.. Walter
wrote with the skill and the enthu-
siasm that impart vitality TO any stage
work Miss Starts Interpretation OF
the heroine who struggles against fato
is rich In added detail. It's simplicity
and naturalness are more appealing
than ever.
1t Is interesting to one familiar with
this impersonatio nto observe the ex-
pressive bits that have been added
Then there has been ample note OF the
changes by which the play has again
been made an abstract and brief chron-
icle Of this day and not of that earlier
period In which It was born. There is
Montmartre, for instance, instead of
Rector's: a new tune blurts from the
hurdy-gurdy. and in such minor char
acteristics is to-day celebrated.
Yet in one of it's Incompatible fea-
lures the performance Is unchanged.
The night still desccnds over the Colo
RADIO hills with the slow certainty Of
nature. Nobody extinguishes one light
here and another there The pail OF
darkness envelops the scene gradually.
Mr.. Belasco has never counterfeited
nature more striklngly than in this
scene. In ell the years that have
passed since the drama was acted first
there has been no change in this me-
chanical aid to the art Of the theatre.
Nor was Il necessary. "The Easiest
Way" In Mr.. Belasco's present re-
vival at the Lyceum Theatre goes to
show how the best methods In the
theatre endure. Indeed the better II is
the longer II appears 10 last. How
true this may be OF externals Mr.. Be
lasco's wonderful counterfeit OF ma
ture among the hills of Colorado goes
far toward provints
The ways Of the edspter arc not