The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-07-18
SCORED A TRIUMPH.
Robert Mantell Wins the Hearts
Of Theater GOers.
GOOD COMPANY m STRONG PLAY


Robert Mantell won the admiration and
regard Of his first Seattle audience by his
rendering Of "Monbars" in the first per-
Torrance Of three nights engagement at
the new Seattle theater last night. The
house WAS only . fair one, but what was
lacking in numbers was made mp in en-
illusion. and those VINO saw him viii 90
again. If not during this engagement. on
his next visit TO the Sound. From his
first appearance on the stage he HAD the
sympathy of the audiences. and it grew ~
the plot developed until applause greeted
him at every striking situation. He and
Miss Behrens had several calls before the
curtain. and when the climax was reached
the success had become . triumph.
s'Monbars" is . play with strong plot.
in which the interest 10 not merely sus-
tanned, but grows to . powerful climax.
The hero il q man of humble birth who
has founded . fortune by preying on Eng
lish commerce with his privateer and in
creased it By founding great shipyard.
He generously rerounces an immense
debt owed by the Marquis de Noirmont,
saves his daughter Diane from the fangs
Of mad dog and receives her hand rs .
token Of gratitude. It had already been
pledged to Louis de Meran, who Is his I'M
acknowledged son and has been educated
by him without knowing who was his
benefactor. The very night of his mar
rage he finds that his wife's love 10
another's and they become estranged.
His friend and confidant, Laurent, seeks
to widen the breach, and when illness over
takes him secretly gives him slow poison
and turns his suspicion on Diane. who has
almost regained his confidence BY her de-
votion. Louis. who has meanwhile won
distinction ~ . physician. is the means Of
the discovery Of the crime. Monbars has
just written . letter declaring that his
malady - hydrophobia. and that he in-
tends to end its t0rtures by suicide, and il
about to carry out his design. when, look
ing in the mirror before him, he sees
Laurent mixing the deadly potion. A
struggle follows. Laurent trying to throttle
him a. he tells the cause Of his hatred. but
when apparently dead his master rises,
seizes two swords, throws one to his ad-
yersay, tights duel with him. strikes his
sword from him aud then stabs him repeat
eddy with . dagger. Reconciliation and
the discovery Of Louis parentags ends the
play.
Mr.. Mantell admirably interprets the
conflicting passions which tear the bosom
OF naturally generous man. and through.
out holds the interest of his audience fixed
upon him 40 the central figure. As the plot
developed and thickened he warmed up.
and the audience warmed up in sympathy,
the applause which followed each fall of
the curtain being louder. moro general
and prolonged, until the duel brings down
q storm. There are many fine touches in
his rendering Of the character. as when he
at first refuses TO take the letter offered
him by Laurent, which is to prove his
wife's infideiity. then hesitates and
finally takes and reads it. Then no be-
comes transformers; from being ready to
strange his wife's traducer he becomes .
man Wild with jealousy and spurns her
when she vows on her knees that she is
faithful and tries to explain the fatal let;
ter. Every motion, every culver OF the
hand has its meaning and 80 1t u through
out the play.
The other members of the company con-
tribute their full share to the success OF
the production. Chief among them Is
Miss Charlotte Behrens, as Diane, who IN.
terprets every change Of feeling with fidel-
ity, we'll portraying the repugnance OF
woman for . loyeless marriage while her
heart still dwells on . hopeless passion.
This feeling gives place to respect
for her husbands noble qualities and
lastly to love and . desire to
win back his confidence and the affection
which he had ut first lavished on her.
Louis de Meran is acceptably presented by
Mr.. William Stuart. who has . strong scene
with Diane when they meet BY chance
on the day OF the wedding. and acquits
himself we'll. Mr.. Ernest Hastings makes
an exquisite villain as Laurent and shows
his powers best while Monbars is writing
the letter declaring his suicidal design. As
he hears each word his face becomes
q picture of fendish delight and 1t
lends itself to the portrayal OF hate
and simulated honesty with equal
facility, being seconded by his tones and
gestures. Miss Katherine kerrigan a.
Blanche lends charming face and figure
and graceful acting TO throwing some light
into . rather dark story, ana Mr.. b. 1.
Ringrold as her husband. NJ. Mouton. Is
a good foil for her. Miss Minnie Monk ~
Nine. Laurent shows ability capable Of
parts of greater importance, and Miss
Nellie Baker makes Lucille Tavernier the
kind-hearted inn-keeper's daughter the
story reveals. George r. Bird ~ Tavern
Ter. J. NJ. Fedris as Andre and c. l.. Odiin
as Jean have small parts in which they are
acceptable.
Robert Mantell appears tonight In q new
play. The Face in the Moonlight" No
play in which Mr.. Manteil has heretofore
been cast has given him such excellent
opportunities for the display of Ms
strength and versatility.
In the first place. IL must Dc understood
tina, he appears in . dual role. hrst a. tho
highwayman and bsusaiized Criminal.
Jacques Ferrand. better known a. kaoai.
and again a. Victor Ambrose. handsome
officer Of the Bourbon army. Ihe scene