The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-02-15
Iafo ndpr the Red Robe


After a long run at the Empire The
alter, New York. and notable success
es in other cities, Edward Roses dra-
matization of Stanley Weyman's in
genius novel. Under the Red Robe,
turned toward Washington and open
ed last night at the Lafayette Square
Opera House. While the audience
present at this performance seeming
ly had no hesitation in setting a seal
of approval on the play, the fact that
it, like most others of its class, ap-
peals largely to the senses and the
lighter emotions. may be taken as the
great reason at the bottom of last
nights enthusiasm.
Edward Rose is by no means perfect
as an adapter even his arrangement
of The Prisoner of Zenda." being
open to grave criticism, and in his lat
est effort he has attempted to do lit
tie more than retain the interest of
MS audience by setting out in copied
order the situations and dramatic ac-
ton outlined in the novel. Where he
has succeeded in doing this. Under
the Red Robe is powerfully brought
out-engrossing in its hold on the af
Iectlon and admiration of those pres
eht. In other places one freosentIy
loses sympathy for the characters Dor
trayed and fails To continue. so far as
Feelings are concerned a participant
in the proceedings.
A play that adheres so closely to a
book like Mr.. Weyman's. cannot helm
but be charming if nothing else. There
is not character that does not have a
certain hold upon ones emotions. not
situation in which the auditor is not
actively interested, and, when to this.
is added the remarkable ingenuity
with which the novelist and the play
wright hold the suspense of the plot.
there is a story that could not but
have been successful.
As will be remembered the tale deals
with the adventures on Gil de Berault.
gambler and duelist. who. caught
in an offense of the latter kind. is
spared by Richelieu on condition that
he attempt to capture a notorious reb-
el of the state, Henri de Cochforet by
name. Gil accepts, but, in attempting
TO carry out his promise to the Car
dlnal, he meets and falls in love with
Renee. the sister of the man he is
tracking down. This affection and
the means TO which he is forced to
resort in order to catch the rebel. show
him fully how tlishonorable is treach-
cry to a woman. He saves Henri
from his enemies by arresting him,
and. just as the sister is upbraiding
him for playing the spy, sets at lib
erty her brother and returns to give
himself up to Richelieu. Fortunate
ly this results in nothing more dan
gerOus than confinement during the
Kings pleasure" with the woman he
loves, and so all ends to the entire
satisfaction OF everyone.
In the presentation last night the
acting of four of the cast was about
all the company had to commend it.
These four We're Giles Shine, whose
Richeieu is a masterful bit of char
acter work; William Farnum, who
makes small part so direct and clear
as to place it easily second as an i'm
of merit; Frank McGlynn,
whose dumb servant was narrowing
in its intense suggestion and finished
detail; and last but not least, Mary
Hampton, q dainty little actress of
strong capacity for emotional acting.
Marie Anderson, as Marie de Coch-
foret. would insist on singing her lines
as though chanting a church service
and Edwin Thanhouser made a clown
out of what might easily have been
q legitimate comedy part Milton Lip
man, George Taylor, Charles Hartley
and Olive Crompton were more or
less good-the first three more and the
last named less. The scenery, though
adequate, is hardly up to the stand
ard set by romantic drama.
Academy-"A Milk White Fla~.s
Pretty and petite Mary Marble. ac-
by an evenly balanced and
Woodworking company, pleased a very