"ROMANCE"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 280, 15 August 1918, Page 8

"ROMANCE"

A PLAY OF AMERICAN SENTIMENT

"Eomance," a play by Richard Sheldon. Cast:— Bishop Armstrong Charles Vuldron Kuzolte Audrey Worth Harry Prank iiatJiorley Miss Sußau van Tuyl .Beryl Bryant Harry Putnam Charles Brown Thomas Armstrong Charted Waldron Prod Livingstone Kenneth Brampton Oornelius van Tuyl Boy Bedgravo Marg-herita Uavallini Kftllileno JHicfioucll Tho Butler at the Bectory Fred Cambonrno Mrs. Armstrong i'.mmu Tem'jlo iSignorn, Vaimucci .'. Millie Kngier Mom. Baptiuto Franii Harcourt Richard Sheldon's much-heralded play "Romance" was introduced to a crowded audience at the Opera House last evening by a Williamson company, headed by Miss Kathlene MaoDoncll an'd' M;\ Charles Waldron, botli players who hnvti earned the respect of playgoers on another occasion, and who were genially received last evening. As its title so cryptjcjUly suggests, "Romance" is a piny of sentiment, which one might say succeeds in exerting a charm despite the stickiness in its chief ingredient, which is apt to obtrude in places, a weakness, if not a fault, in .so many Americanmade plays. 'L'he play is constructed on somewhat fainiliar*liues (though the story it tells is exotic enough in its originality) inasmuch ns it is the relating by tho fireside of the story ot an excursion into the realm of a somewhat tropical romance of an aged bishop to his grandson, who has declared his intention of marrying an actress. The story of this lapse—for such the old Bishop fondly regards it—does not affect the youth's inteution in the slightest degree, which is a curious commentary on the change which thought has undergone since the Bishop's youth and the age of "the lean and slippered pantaloon" with respect io marriage with women on tho stage. Indeed, the amiable old follow does not offer any objection to marrying his grandson to his inamorata of the footlights. ■• The play- is well written, save for a certain crudity in forms of speech in delicate passage* which unnecessarily obtrude in so many American plays. But the play itself is a sound one, holding a sustained interest, and its performance, if not ideal, was thoroughly enjoyable. At the conclusion of the prologue the play goes back forty years to the early Victorian era in Fifth Avenue, New York, with Bishop Armstrong as the young and virile rector of St. Giles and the ladies of his parish chatting cattishly in their voluminous and much-beilouuced frocks at a soiree given by the wealthy van. Tuyl. The guest of honour in Mnrglierita Uavallini, an Italian prima donna, whose naiuo lias been linked with van Tuyl's by the town gossips. The young rector meets the artiste and falls violently in love with her, and she, courtesan as she is, liecomes aware that she is really in love lor tho first time in her life. The idea, of marriago with "olaroyinaru," as sha terms him, is abhorrent (o her rather loose ideas uu tiic-se matters, and she resists it until his ardour appears to overcome her objections. She even tells him of her shady past, but he attributes her past folly to the misery of her earlier life, and forgives them. Then tho van Tuyl gossip confronts hun, and he asks her about it. She lies to Jnuiswears on Holy Script that it is untrue. JuSt then van Tuyl enters the room. That paragon of New York society, a very likeable roue, at once sees how matters stand, and be, when questioned by tho now excited rector, denies the intrigue with graceful protestations, but even whilst he is lying with finely composed dignity, the utter falsity of his protestations and her own touch a chord, which forces her to blaze out the sordid truth. It is a strong scene, and was acted with fine conviction. The 6cene which follows occurs in Cavallidi's apartments after her last triumphant appearance in "Mignon" in York. Van Tuyl is there, prepared in his amiable way to resume the laiason, but tho tired singer is distrait and unresponsible. A note announces the uresenco below of the rector. He had been tramping the enow-covered streets, half mad, longing and praying for tho object of his passion, and now obsessed with a mission that ho must save her soul; he discharges his pent distraught soul at her in flaming periods, until the erring singer promises to be good for ever more, and, asking hor to pray, he crushes her in a passionate embrace and leaves the room, whilst the woman falls into a dead faint. That is the climax of tho play. The epilogue is, of course, the fireside scene once more, with tho Bishop concluding tho 6tory in measured tones. A novel effect in the introduction of tho gramophone on and off the stage, recalling scenes from the operas in which Cavallini appeared. Miss Kathlene MacDonell is a vital actress, who gives a very fascinating performance as Cavallini, a role which accords more with her temperament than her personality. She simulated tho broken English of the Italian singer cleverly, and coloured hor tones emotionally with inucli skill. The dramatic passages were her best. She has the art of projecting the fiery vehemence of the Latin .into tho big scenes without tearing her passion to tatters. Mr. Charles Waldron, tall and clean-cut, with plenty of reserve and blessed with a finely-modulated voice, made an interesting study as the youug rector. There were times, perhaps, when the youth of the character might have been more exuberantly shown, and there was legitimate opportunity for more untrammelled dramaticism in the final scene, where the clergyman is absolutely beside himself with a religious zeal approaching fanaticism. Mr. Roy Redgrave gave a finely-balanced performance as van .Tuyl, and wore tho costume of the period to tho manner born. Miss Audrey Worth was satisfactory as Suzctte, but Mr. Frank Hatheirley as tho Bishop's frandson was not well cast.' Miss Beryl Bryant looked charming as Miss Susan van Tuyl, and Miss Emma Temple was delightful in her one scene as Mrs. Armstrong. .Miss Millie Engler was also admirable as Signora Vanned, the voluble handmaid of the Cavallini. Minor parts wore assumed successfully 'by Messrs. Chas. Brown, Kenneth Brampton, and Frank Harcourt. The production was adequate. The ages got a little mixed in the furniture, but Hint perhaps is pardonable iu war time.

A deputation of patrons who had booked for the first night of "Romance" waited on Mr. Russell, manager of the company, stating that owing to the booking ahead they were deprived of the opportunity of witnessing the production, and asked that tho Benson be extended another night, and thus give thcin an opportunity of seeing "-Romance." The management have decided to meet the desire of patrons, and "Romanje" will be staged on Saturday night next, and the other three pieces, viz., "The Rainbow," "Cinderella man," ■"- 1 "Daddy Long Legs," will be presented one night la' than previously advertised. Seats already booked I'or these pieces still hold good for the altered nights.