Life, 1913-05-08 · page 23 of 48
Life — May 8, 1913 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains theater reviews rather than political cartoons. The small illustration at top left depicts a woman in classical dress—likely representing "The Amazons," a revival of Arthur Wing Pinero's play being reviewed. The critic (signed Metcalf) argues the play feels dated. Originally a hit at London's Lyceum Theatre with the same actors, the revival fails to entertain modern audiences. Metcalf suggests the problem isn't the unchanged script but rather contemporary tastes: audiences now want plays with more immediate, local relevance rather than stories about English aristocratic mothers raising titled daughters as boys. The "Confidential Guide" section provides brief reviews of New York theaters and current productions, ranging from Shakespeare revival to melodrama to vaudeville—offering readers a entertainment guide for the era. The photograph shows a stage scene, likely from one of the reviewed productions.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
HE AMAZONS” of Pinero, dug up again for one of the many re- vivals which appear to attest a poverty of new material on which mana- gers are willing to place their stakes, seems just a trifle thin in this era of plays “ with a punch.” In two of the most im- portant réles the actors are the same as when the play made its hit at the old Lyceum, They have lost none of their expertness, but even their fun doesn’t seem to rouse the merriment of former days. Taking their effects as a test, the fault must lie cither with the play or with the audience. The play hasn't changed and as it is not tied to any fixed period it seems fair to assume that this generation wants something a little more local and with a more immediate application than the story of the Eng- lish titled mamma who brought up her three titled and charming daughters as though they were boys instead of girls. Metcalf. CONFIDENTIAL, GUIDE few. Astor." Quo Vadis.” Done in elaborate moving pictures. Impressive, interesting and at times thrilling. Belasco.—" Years of Discretion.” A bright «modish comedy, unusually well acted and pointing out the fact that there's more happiness and certainly more comfort in growing old naturally than trying to stay young artificially Casino.—Revival of Gilbert and Sullivan's “Tolanthe.” Notice later. Century.—The — Angelina-Gattini Opera Company’ in repertory of light operas Cohan’s.—" Widow by Proxy" and “ Mrs. Peckham’s Carouse,” giving May Irwin op- portunities to be funny in two characters and also to sing her artistic coon songs. Comedy.—" The Gentleman from No. 19:" Cort.—" Peg o' My Heart.” Amusing com- edy distinguished by the clever performance of Miss Laurette Taylor and her canine as- sistant, Michael. While the latter is not an aristocrat in the dog world, he has intellect Criterion —" The Argyle Case." Melo- drama of the underworld kept thoroughly up to the minute in all the modern detective ap- pliances and giving Mr. Robert Hilliard heroic opportunities to use them. Eltinge.—" Within the Law." One of the best acted and most interesting plays in town. Deals with police methods and incidentally calls attention to a lot of oppression going on in our big department stores. h Street.—" What Happened to tremely commonplace although na Mary. well acted drama, evidently being gi metropolitan run for road purposes Fulton.—" Damaged Goods.” Brieux’s edu cational medical treatise in play form being given to the public at large. Well acted, Goiety.—" Stop Thief." Farcical_ combi nation of professional thieves and klept maniacs producing laughable situations “THE LADY STAR, BEING THOROUGHLY EXHAUSTED, WAS UNABLE TO TAKE THE CURTAIN CALL, BUT IT WAS ACKNOWLEDGED BY AND FORMER HUSBANDS. ER PRESENT Lady of the Slipper.” old friend Cinderella set to pleasant and made a vehicle to display the abilities of Elsie Janis and Montgomery ai Harris—" The Master with crooks as the instruments made the basis interesting and Madison Square Garden.—The Buffalo Bill Bill Wild West Opera House.— glish melodrama of the old type with a devices producing th improbable but done melodrama. Hippodrome—" Under Many The big show of balle tacle and interesting stage pictures approach. ing the end of its season. Elliott's. —"* Romance.” rican comedy of life i half a century Keane and good com Well acted by ; ‘ace George in “ Divorcons.” fe star showing at her best I's mind works demon: 1 spectacular drama Hag lets of diverse eresting bill, but ded for those of tender years. Knickerbocker. English music played by a company show, pleasant and pleasantly mostly American. The family life of the founders of J family portrayed in able little play very Lyrie.—Revival Lyceum.—" The Ghost-Breaker."* Sane ery. melodran Is Music Hall —Revi comicbooks.com