THE
PETERITE VoL.
VI.
SUPPLEMENT, 1884 .
No . 49.
A NEW WAY TO PAY OLD DEBTS. ACH year the selection of a play for the Theatricals grows harder ; the number of plays, suitable for representation, that will keep up the high standard that has so far been maintained, is not a large one, and to avoid the necessity of repeating is a task ever increasing in difficulty . Last year Shakspeare was deserted, but not the Elizabethan Drama, for Massinger was called upon to add a fresh link to the growing chain of old comedy, and this year again his aid has been sought . " A New Way to Pay Old Debts " is a play well suited for amateur representation : apart from Sir Giles Overreach there is no character presenting much difficulty, but at the same time there exists plenty of scope for the display of originality and taste . The plot is a simple one, the reinstating of a well-born youth beggared by the machinations of a wicked uncle and his own prodigality, and the overthrow of the originator of his misfortune, but this is so skilfully worked out that the interest is well kept up through the whole of the five acts, and no one can accuse the story of being drawn out to greater length than necessary . There is a lighter vein running through the piece than characterised the Great Duke of Florence, less of declamatory nature and more of dramatic incident, and consequently the acting is livelier and more natural, and a greater appreciation of the play produces a well marked improvement in the general representation. To go into some detail, of course the greatest difficulty lies with the character of Sir Giles Overreach, who is an unprincipled knight, who has made his fortune by usury and extortion, and
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