Life, 1894-12-13 · page 13 of 16
Life — December 13, 1894 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains two theatrical cartoons and a drama review. **"The New and the Old"** (left): Shows a woman in modern dress confronting an older, ornately dressed figure (possibly representing tradition or old-fashioned theater). The contrast satirizes generational conflict in theatrical taste. **"Up with the Times"** (right): Depicts a figure in a hot air balloon, likely mocking those who chase trendy novelties or modern fads—suggesting such pursuits are impractical or ridiculous. The text reviews the play *"The Masqueraders"* by Henry Jones, praising its production values and ensemble cast (including Viola Allen and Henry Miller) while critiquing the plot as moralistic and implausible. The reviewer notes the villain is unnecessarily villainous, the moral lessons are heavy-handed, and some performances (particularly Elsie de Wolfe's attempt at English slang) are awkward. Despite these flaws, the reviewer expects it will attract audiences through its technical excellence.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
> LIFE moral platitudes which send the hero off presumably to die in Africa, and the wife and husband to distinctions which the dramatist does not con- descend to locate. Ever since the final curtain of * The Masqueraders " we have been wondering what became of the villain and his wife and child. If Mr. Jones or any one else will inform us we shall be infinitely obliged. The play is exquisitely mounted, and not only do the scenery of the first and second acts furnish a delightful background, but the large number of extra people who figure as guests, etc., are handled with such unusual skill that they really aid instead of dispelling the illusion. Both Miss Viola Allen and Mr. Henry Miller renew the good impression they made in * Sowing the Wind.” That work better than any that either of them setucte f From the Pall Mall Budget. THE NEW AND THE OLD. UP WITH THE TIMES, had done before, and in this piece they have not retrograded. Mr. Faversham brings to the part of Sir Brice Skene even more tepulsiveness than is actually necessary, but as the entire object of Mr. Jones’s work seems to be to get as far away as possible from truth or probability, a less plainly marked villain might be out of drawing. Miss Alice Fischer is thoroughly at home as Helen Larondie, the goody-goody sister, and fires off the fine old moral chestnuts which Mr, Jones has assigned to her for the benefit of the Philistines in a fashion which would do credit to the most prurient-minded member of a social purity league. The minor parts are all well done, although Miss Elsie de Wolfe's attempts at English slangi- ness are rather painful. : “The Masqueraders” with a less com- petent production would be almost ridiculous, but will doubtless hold the public interest from the excellence of its ensemble. Metcalfe.