The Theatre in Boston

"Divorcons" and "Half an Hour."

There is no shadow of doubt that "Divorcons" added to "Half an Hour" forms a full evening's pleasure--but as to whether or no Sardou and Barrie walking arm-in-arm make for harmony is quite a different story. The first part of Miss George's present bill is frothy, laughable--an in retrospect rather silly. Its pleasure lies almost wholly in the delightful acting of the star and Mr. Lawford. The Barrie portion of the program is concentrated power and emotion of a sadly scarce variety. Here the material with which the actors work is of far finer filre, and, perhaps as a natural result of this, the quality and tone of the acting is richer and more satisfying.

"Divorcens" is billed as comedy, but as such it were kinder not to judge it. The play falls far more readily into farce--and at times it is drawn thin to weakness. Today it seems weirdly stagey and forced. Characters we have in Cyprienne and Henri--how much due to their acting it is hard, to say--and momentarily in one or two of the others. Placed against "Half an Hour" the "comedy" seems mere piffle.

"Half an Hour" drives home a bitter little morsel of truth on the end of a sharp knife in three quick stabs. The wife closes the hated book of her married life to go with her lover. Their meeting is all the happiness of life compassed in a moment of anticipation. Then in stunning suddenness comes the lover's death, and as a long-drawn, searing after-pain the wife's turning back to take up again the despised existence of thirty minutes before. True, splendidly characterized and theatrically dramatic in the best sense, "Half an Hour" sets one to thinking alone perhaps none to pleasant channels.

Miss George is admirable in both plays. Her comedy--for it is only she and Mr. Lawford that lift "Divorcons" into really high comedy--is a delight; and her tragedy in the playlet is simple and absolutely convincing. She is charming to watch--delicate of color and fragilely beautiful--and wonderful to hear--in laugher or tears Mr. Lawford is the perfection of case, distinction, and effectiveness--in him is a touch of the whimsy that pervades Barrie's writings. Mr. Herbert as the well drawn husband is powerful and real in every detail of voice and manner. The surrounding company is adequate--with the single exception of Mr. Mc Dougall, who is sadly out of his depth throughout.

The next concert of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Sanders Theatre will be held on Thursday evening at 8 o'clock.