Life — November 6, 1902 — page 13: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

of it, and then let the actor, if he can, lead us to find in the character something to like or admire which shall overshadow or blot out the first unpleasant impression. It is an excellent evidence of Mr. Harvey's artistic instinct that he does not set out to make those attributes of Carton's which come from his drinking less repulsive than they naturally would be. His abruptness and irritability might be toned down to make the character a more agreeable one. This would be less true to nature and would detract in a way from the value of the contrast they furnish to the really noble qualities born in the man, “The Only Way” has been seen here before with Mr. Henry Miller as Carton, The temptation to make a comparison is a strong one, but it would not be fair to Mr. Miller, who has received his dramatic edu- cation in the atmosphere supplied by the LIFE targets. Mrs. Osborn is not to be criticised for selling tommy-rot or any other commod- ity which is not prohibited by law. In fact, if she is shrewd enough to find customers, itis perhaps to her credit that she is able thus to secure for herself the necessities and luxuries of existence. Nor are her custom- ers to be blamed for buying tommy-rot, if they like it and want it. Their money is their own, and they are as God made them. Only as the transaction is a public matter, and is sought to be made a matter of public discussion, is it of any interest to any one except to the parties directly concerned. What Mrs. Osborn offers is a reconstruct- ed theatre, which is so small that to gain the requisite seating capacity the seats have been placed so close together that the in- dividual of average size is, through the entire performance, condemned to unjust and unusual punishment. On the stage 397 of its title, ‘‘ Tommy Rot,” is the most in- tellectual achievement in the whole thing. The costuming of the women in the piece is excellent from the fashionable point of view. The cast is relieved from absolute mediocrity by the personal powers of IManche Ring, who, even with the commonplace material at her disposal, shows that she has beauty and technical knowledge. Mrs. Osborn's experiment is important only as showing that she and her experi- enced advisers consider the smart set a pretty brainless lot. Every one else has known it for some time. Metcalfe. LIFE'S CONFIDENTIAL GUIDE TO THE THEATRES. Music —The Ninety and Nive."* 01 deaderny of Mu no Sankey's hymn. Worth Melod: seeing. Belasco.—Mrs. Lesite, Carter and ‘Du Barry.”” Both interesting. Broadway.—"The Stiver Slipper.” Notice leur. Tur CHORTS, WHICH 18 THE MAIN ATTRACTION AT Mrs, OsBoRN’s PLiy-Torse. Theatrical Trust. His performance of the part was an excellent one, according to American present-day standards, but Mr. Harvey's is so much more delicate and re- fined that it emphasizes the shortcomings of dramatic training in this country. ° . . RS. ROBERT OSBORN isa charming, modish and shrewd lady whose business ven- tures, which have made her a public character, rest upon her knowledge of that alleged smart set which Marse Henry Watterson has so vigorously de- scribed. Mrs. Osborn is aware that gold bricks can be sold to these persons quite as readily as to agriculturalists, provided the gilding is of the proper style. She also knows that if the normal birth-rate of confiding per- sons in other classes is onea minute, itis two or three times that among those who aspire to be included among Henry Watterson’s she offers an entertainment which is sup- posed to appeal to what is called the smart set. The general opinion of the culture and good taste to be found in this class of the community is not a high one, and Mrs. Osborn’s opinion is evidently lower yet. The principal attraction is a gathering of very pretty young women in the chorus. They are seen at very short range, and Mrs. Osborn is right in believing that they will attract the more vicious among those she is seeking to please. With the assistance of Mr. Safford Waters she has provided a musical score which is simply wholesale plagiarism. The music is written around a libretto by Mr. Rupert Hughes. Mr. Hughes is a writer of some reputation, but in this instance he has evidently writ- ten down to the level of intelligence Mrs. Osborn attributes to her patrons. Slang there is in abundance, a dash of vulgarity is not lacking, and neither is relieved by wit, humor, or refinement. The selection ‘sino. The Chinese Honeymoon.” wet and tun Criterion —" ‘rts." Clever but malodorous, Daly's. —* A Country Girl.” Imported masical comedy, well acted and sung by Americans, Empire.—Well acted light drama with Jonn Drew as the star, “The Mummy and the Humming Bird.” Garden.—Mrs, Patrick Campbell {n “The Joy of Living.” See above. Garrick.—Mary Mannering in “The Obstinacy ot Geraldine.”* Notice later. Herald Square,—Martin Harvey in “The Only Way." See above. Madison Square.—“ The Two Schools." Farce, Mre. Ostorn's Play-house,—“Tommy Rot,” See above. Princess.—" The Night of the Party." Weeden Grosamith in laughable farce, St. Nicholas Rink.—Bostock’s remarkable col- wwepon of animals. —"*Carrots" and “A Country Mouse,"* wits Ethel Barrymore in two contrasting parts. Interesting and amusing. Vietoria.—Mme. Duse. Notice later. Watlack’s—" The Sword of the King,” with Henrietta Crosman as the star. Heroic’ drama well performed. Weber and Fields's,—Buriesque and vaudeville. may sometimes be purchased at the box- office at the advertised prices. Amus- Soctety play by Pinero, comicbooks.com