MACDONELL-WALDRON SEASON

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 9, 5 October 1918, Page 9

MACDONELL-WALDRON SEASON

"OUTCAST" "Outcast," a play in four acts by Hubert Henry Davios. Cast:— Geoffrey Sherwood Ohns. Waldron, Hugh Brown Frank Hathcrlcy. Tony Hewlett Kenneth lirainpton. Taylor J. Plumptoa Wilson. Valoutine ..»,.„».„.». Bovl Bryant. Miriam- Kathleno MacDonell. Nolly Clarico Hardwickc. Beamiflh Audrey Worth, Whilst Hubert Davies's play "Outcast," played at tho Grand Opera House last evening, cannot be said to ho a work of ureat intrinsic merit, its defects are palliated to' a very great extgnt by the excellent acting of the protagonists, who manage by vthcir skill in noting to hold the interest of a somewhat surprised audience, who were for tho most part unconvinced by tbo argument of the play. And what -is tho argument? It is a sordid little tale which leaves a rather nasty taste in the nioutli, ovon iu these'days of almost untrammelled stage license. In it a- number of alleged clever folk, make a pp.rado of illicit lovo as. an antidote for the irlcsomcuoss of marriage bonds —a topic, that is dwelt upon almost atl nauseuin. The plays opens with Geoffrey Slierjvood drinking mid drugging himseif to death because the one woman in all the world has found out that lie is not the one man. It is her wedding night with the other man, and Geoffrey's friends drop in to "cheer Him up"— just the tiling men would not do under the circumstances —and 1 there is drinking and small talk, until one young idiot squats a soda syphon out of the window on to tho gay hat of an equally gay lady of the streets. In a freakish momont Sherwood invites the "lady" up to the flat. This is Miriam —whom a certain dramatist would describe as a woman of no importance. Miriam, however, is bright, brainy, and entertaining, and such is' her _ spell that Sherwood and slio establish a liason. Miriam suffices for a time, but when Geoffrey learns that his onetime fiancee, Valentine, has left her husband, lie finds the Miriam bond irksome. Then follows the break—a stinging dramatic scene., which nukes the third act the strongest in the play. Here Miss MacDonell showed her power in tense dramatic scenes. Up to a point Miriam, not unsubtly, seeks for a hold on that eho has grown _ to love, then, finding Sherwood determined to break, she throws subtlety to_ the winds, and in a hot blast of primitive passion, and forgetting all past favours, die violently assails his standpoint, and finally threatens to have ievenge on the woman who Las come between them. In this scene all tho nervous forces of tho gifted actress were exerted to. the highest pitch, her voice became harsh and strident, with rnleaslied passion, and the grip of a greatemotion il appeal could bo felt by everyone in tbo audience. The scene justifies the play. Mr. Waldron, too, was admirable iu this scene, acting with consummate polish and reserve, which threw into high relief his one big blaze of anger, born of tho ihjustiso the crazed woman was seeking to heap upon him. In the final act there is a scone between Valentine and Sherwood, in which the former is given new eyos that see safety only in return to her husband, whilst Sherwood offers marriago to Miriam. This she refuses, but in the end they decide to leave together for Buenos Aires. The play is queer, as must be seen, but tho acting is certainly worth while. Competent siipiwrt is offered by Mr. Frank Hatherley r.e Hugh Brown, Mr. , Kennoth Branipton as Tony Hewlett, and Miss Beryl Bryant as'Valentiiie. "Outcast" will ho played again this evening, and "Daddy Long Lees" will bn revived on Monday and Tuesday evenings.