The evening times., 1898-09-27
AT THE THEATERS.
Nattonal-..The Christinn.n %

If fourteen curtain calls, house pack
ed to the doors and a speech from the
author constitutes success for play,
THE Christian which was given its
first formal production on any stage
last night at the New National Theater,
is a triumph For not only did all these
things exist and occur, but the audience
and an unusually brilliant one 1t was
left deeply impressed with the intensity
and power of a drama that will rank with
the best productions of the last decade.
In adapting to the necessities OF the
stage what many claim TO be his best
novel Mr.. Caine has been governed by
the most rational of methods. The ex-
tracts he has made from the book are
essentially of a critic-proof nature, while
the discussion that was so evident in his
story is only suggested in the play. This
being true, there is nothing at all 'talky"
about the piece, and its literary charac-
ter is distinctly subordinate to its dra-
matte merit. The scenes used are so
emphatic and so dominating, however,
that the adaptation seems rather to be
a succession of powerful pictures than
coherent tale regarding the incidents in
the love of a man and woman.
The Christian" is, however of suffi-
cient strength 10 make its abruptness
forgiveable, while the cleverness with
which il has been constructed reduces
TO the minimum the roughnesses newt
able In an adaptation Some of the Incl
dents-notabIy. those in the second and
third acts of the piece-possess force
that made even the most blase in the au-
dience forget that plays are artihcial
and feel thrilled with the essence of the
occurrence. Some of the characters are
well drawn, too and the whole drama is
of such merit that there can be no doubt
as TO its New York run. or the approval
with which it will be greeted elsewhere.
Viola Aliens work is almost above re-
proach The Glory in Mr.. Gaines book
was chiefly remarkable for her brilliant
letters, and for the readiness with which
she wept Miss Aliens impersOnation
is OF an intensely human woman, whose
emotions are all Of the most natural
order, and whose quantity superficial! self
still has the backing OF fine being.
Edward ]. Morgan's Storm, TOO, possess
es the Inherent qualities of magnetism
and verify that makes impersonations
| praiseworthy. His acting at times was
so strong and real that the role he as
| sumed seemed momentarily TO tower
| over that of the star. The sinister lines
| OF Lord Robert IRE found excellent ut
| terance from the mouth of Jamison Lee
| Finney. who proved himself 10 be care
| ful and competent player while John
Mason made a good Horatio Drake;
| George Woodward was a convincing
| Archdeacon Wealthy, and Frank Keenan,
| got the most out of the opportunities
| given him in the part of Brother Paul.
Ethel Marlowe and Perdlta Hudspeth,
with Mrs Georgia Dickson. made hits,
| as did Mervyn Dallas. r. J. Dillon, Guy
| Nichols, Myron Calice and Edgar Nor
ton in smaller characteriZations. Carrie
| Merilees, Bessie Dunn and Edith Meril-
! ees were only fair as the three graces,
| and the mob which assisted the regular
performers in the second and last acts
1 proved TO be well trained. though its
| first entrance was trifle too compact
| to be natural.