"Behold the Bridegroom" can't quite be laughed off, much as one may feel the urge. From pure politeness appropriate in a non-paying guest, this reviewer suppressed a nearly uncontrollable desire to hoot, jeer and shout "ham" during one of the worst first acts in memory. Then for no apparent reason Mr. George Kelly began to make sense through the mouths of a competent, but sorely taxed cast. The final impression was more than ordinarily disturbing. Here was a play, like it or not, and in its worst moments it brought to mind the old sentiment, "I wouldn't like it even if it was good."

There should be reasons why this is in spots the worst, and in others, one of the best plays come to Boston in some time. In the first place Mr. Kelly has caught an idea which has great dramatic possibilities. Though his plot may be totally unreal, it is possible, and in the main he is tenaciously faithful to it. The trouble is that he is no more able to handle a subject with the tragedic poetntialities belonging to this one, than is the present cast capable of creating the necessary stage illusion. It is case of a large, undigested bite on the part of the playwright, wrangled through by the actors to a conclusion which is powerful in spite of itself. Briefly the story concerns an unrequited love, and it must be said in due praise, that there is nothing halfway in the lack of reciprocation,--neither is the plot in this particular point improbable.

Miss Judith Anderson in the leading and pathological role has a certain charm which offsets in part irritating elements in her handling of the part. At best she would have a difficult task, and Mr. Kelly has given her none too adequate help. In the last act she is effective in a Shelley-like conception of the waning moon when:

--like a dying lady, lean and pale.

Who totters forth, wrapped in a gauzy veil,

Out of her chamber, led by the insane

And feeble wandering of her fading brain.

Mr. Richard Gordon does a creditable piece of acting as the object of this mature love, who can't quite rise to the occasion.

If you can survive the completely hopeless first act or arrive happily late. "Behold the Bridegroom" is a good evening's investment. The rough points are hard to stomach, but there may quite possibly be the fundamentals of a great play in the rest.