This ending found many advocates, even Mr. Clement Scott and Mr. William Archer, who may be regarded as representing the opposite poles of dramatic criticism, agreeing in their decision that this was the only logical conclusion. “There can be but one end to such a play,” wrote Mr. Scott, “and Mr. Pinero has chosen the right one. To make this wretched man whose sin has found him out a wanderer and an outcast is bad enough; to make him a suicide would be worse.” Yet there were others who thought differently.
Wednesday, the 24th of April, 1889, saw the opening of the Garrick Theatre and the production of “The Profligate,” the programme of which occasion is here appended.
Programme.
OPENING OF THE GARRICK THEATRE.
THIS EVENING, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24th, 1889.
WILL BE ACTED
FOR THE FIRST TIME
THE PROFLIGATE
A New and Original Play in Four Acts.
BY
A. W. PINERO.