The New York herald., 1921-09-13
Authors Daughters
Win Success in
Royle's Romance
Arthurian Play, Lancelot and
Elaine,' Based OH Tenny-
son Poem, Charming.

The Playwright and Players Com
pany. one or the recently Incorporated
organizations to compete with the regu-
lar theatre managers. began its career
bravely at the Greenwich Village The
atrA last night In Its first effort the
playwright happened to be Edwin Milton
Royle, who had to offer '.Launcelot and
Elaine" new version of Tennysons
Arthurian poem Of the tangled loves Of
Arthur. Guincvere, Launceiot and
El1ine
The players included Pedro de Cor
doba. Charles Hanbury. Gerald Rogers,
Bertram Marburgh and. In a way more
| notable than any OF the others. Misses
Selena and Josephine Royle. They are
the youthful daughters OF the play
wright and Mrs. Royle, who was so
favorably known to the stage a few
years ago rs Selena Fetter. Other dis
tinguislied and successful associates in
the first effort Of the new orga nization
were Livingston Platt. Edward Elsner
and FRANKIE Harding.
| Mr. Royle has divided his version of
the Arthurian legend into four acts and
| a prologue-rather an unnecessary pro-
| logue. indeed-which shows a glen in
Lyonesse and let's the audience hear the
first act passes in the garden of the
Queen. with the chatter OF her maids,
led by the designing Vividn, spending IT.
self In insinuations Of the love of Guine-
Dcre for Lduaceiot: the second passes
in the home OF Elaine. and In the third
she confesses to the stranger who has
worn her sleeve In the jousts her love
for him. The last net shows the lily
maid Of Astolat floating UP the tide on
her bier to meet the Queen.
Interesting Romantic Play.
! This is practically the outline OF the
poem followed by G. F. Lathrop in his
Elaine" which was the last preceding
notable use Of the poem by an Amer
ican playwright. Mr.. Royle has made
profoundly interesting romantic play
out Of this material. 1t seemed last
night as II the scene between Elaine and
Sir GnaCaim at the opening OF the third
act might be abridged with II, s,iR,e-
ment to the play. The playv-aa .n"s :
with complete Justification /. poS'p -
self whenever he felt the ~ 49,.
lines OF Tennyson, which ;pe.weem lne
tinction to the text. This u west
written in dignifed and ST scneduieu
guage. "Launcelot and Fl over un.ii
in the most intense qualiti tinai. Hsted
but IL is not easy to recai on MONDAY.
Arthurian plays. whether IN the army
Lathrop or Comyns Carr. VINO was In
sess these traits. contest. has
| Much of the success Of re his place
ance. which 1t IS difficult tiaces Major
these days OF realism wa sated Tor his
acting and the general smt
intelligence of the direct Bryn Mawr
Pedro de Corloba-"on hist may Keep
Grafton sits with public
sionally relaxed his express
Stunning melancholy to thea. u.
smiling with a faint and evi:..-..
timation that this sudden 0tratlOn
| feeling was rather painful. 4 registrl-
sessed all the alcofness arr following
| the mildly ascetic manner an Associa-
nifty of bearing to make thei. Taylor.
| true to It's poetical origins~., TO the
| Rogers as arthur, the vetera the Vik-
Harbury and Bertram Marhu Turn So
dumb servitor were Others whom unat-
the burden of interpreting NAMatthew
play. ledral A.
nr.mntsst,s Daurhters Loughlin
! ore Wall
Yet none of the other actor Amin
interesting as the two young r Buffino
of the dramatist. who were o,ied Jobn
for the frst time. Selena IHouse A.
Is said to be only II and Is o Cresanti
degree too young for the ri Ferrer's
sui.eS quVSi tne Long
Gninepere with striking pos. G.. and
telling sense of dramatic o,sached. to
read her lines with intelligelf
with appropriate and regal ST
provided with suggestions of
womanly love and royal p @
turesque study of the unhaIA RT
Arthur.
To Josephine Royle. who --@
! also makes her first appearaxv.
play. falls the more lyric roll
maid OF Astolat. Slight in = o;f' 90
graceful in every pose and ,s,an. 1,as.
imbues the part of the lovin.'
a gentle pathos. human ans Place. Sh.
yet always in the poetic u, Ia
play. He'd reading is in itss a.
| intelligence Of unusual L,ethinr Ieft
declaration to Launcelot wwas unable
In It's innocent naivete ancs showed
rejection of the offer OF VIII, 30. AZ
give her in return. lovely
offended girlhood. Exquis
was the sad resignation o-s =, ooo
scene. The stage Is enricheo,i. selling \
ents OF these two gifted yo,ce driving.
who are destined to be an
its highest fields since IL Is sriace on.
their talents will find their g.: IL
preston in the romantic dr2 s-5 SIS