"THE THIRD FLOOR BACK."

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12497, 25 March 1909, Page 4

"THE THIRD FLOOR BACK."

That the London public can appreciate a good" thing when it* is given them, despite a certain seriousness of tone underlying it, is well evidenced by the unwariing popularity of Jerome K. Jerome's piece, "The Passing of the Third Floor Back." I dropped In to see it the other afternoon fit its new. home in the Strand, and found the hSitse as full and as hushed as ever, while mysterious" Visitant-Incarnation of Charity, Spirit of Courtesy or Angel Guest — call him what you will — was engaged in converting the thoroughly human and sdifieWhat shady inmates of a London boarding JiOtise, It is all so perfectly reverent and sfr wondorf ttlly acted, with Forbes Robertson as the "Stranger" who reconciles everyone to his or herself, and charniing. Gertrude Elliot" as the quaint little maid who tries in her naive way to reacl the riddle of the Universe, that it is no wonder that it draws crowded houses night after night, and holds even the irresistible "gods" silent while teaching its true lesson, without a vestige of preachiness, and yet carrying that lessdif to the hearts of many whom a sermon would; npt reach; for Jerome knows well the combinations grave and gay that can Be struck from the Octave of Life, and sometimes his fingers touch that lost chord whose supernatural beauties wake responses deep down in the heart of everyone of hs. — "The Monitor." y. ■•■'■.'