The evening times., 1898-10-18
NationaI-"The Conuuerors" !"

About the middle of last season, the
great Gotham public began reveling in the
belief that it had discovered the very
wickedest play of the decade, if not of
the century. New Workers have always
been pleased in the delusion that they
were immoral, and so support plays and
other things supposedly of dubious fla
vor. AS a result, Paul Potter's Con
querors' enjoyed an exceptional life, even
for the metropolis, where longevity is one
Of the recent arts. The Conquerors re-
ceIved its premier Washington presenta-
ton last night at the New National in
the presence of a large and critically
disposed audience. OF the assembly, fully
two-thirds expected to be shocked and
fidgeted nervously III their seats through
out the performance. As matter of
fact the threatened sensation failed TO de-
velop. IN this feature Mr.. Potter's Of
fering has been surpassed in at least two
previous successes, "ArisJocracy' and
THE Sporting Duchess" The reputed
vulgarity is merely powerful piece, ably
constructed and replete with thrilling sit
uations and potent climaXes.
1t is needless to spend cold type in at
tempting an epitOme of the plot of The
deals with the Franco-Prussian war and
that a martial spirit everywhere pervades
il. Erie Won Rodeck, a PrUsslan officer
Of noted family but, dissolute habits is
publicly insulted by YYonne De Grand
pre- a French arist0crat Fate chances
TO place them alone in the cottage of a
peasant and the officer announces his in
tention of avenging the insult by sacra-
ficing her honor. His better conscience
l.,
and leaves the cottage, the woman being
Immediately attacted by the yokel pro-
prietor. Erie returns and after an en-
counter kills the fellow. Yvonne, who
has tainted, revives to find the dead body
OF the peasant and believes that he has
lost his life in defense of her. Upon this
foundation the imposing superstructure
is erected.
THE Conquerors'' is enacted by COM
pany of uniform merit Leading the
interpreting list both in merit and loca-
tion, is William Faversham, whose many
talents have received general commenda-
ton for several years past. He possesses
those two great essentials to popularity
and success, power and pathos, re-en-
forced by fair sprinkling of intelligence.
Jessie Millard replaces Viola Allen and
the cast suffers not the least in the al
teration. Miss Millard is of imposing
personality, magnetic TO a remarkable de-
gree and has only endeared herself to her
many previous admirers by her work in
the trying role of Yvonne. Some of the
scenes between Miss Millard and
Mr.. Faversham approach the magnifi-
cent. George Osbourne, jr.- is also espe-
cially worthy of commendation for meri-
torious work, sharing honors with those
previously mentioned during the brief
time in which he appears. Eleanor Nor
etti is noteworthy for bit capitally done;
Joseph Wheelock and Jessie Busley fur
nish neat piece of light comedy, and
supporting work of a similar nature is
done by May Robson and Lillian Thur
gate. Guy Standing wins his merited
share of praise i'll an excellent rendering
of a part easily overacted. No better
work of the kind has been seen here
Messrs Brownlee and Armstrong are also
good
THE Conquerors,' summed up. is
neither fish, flesh nor fowl. possessing
the merits Of comedy, tragedy and melo-
drama. 1t is superbly mounted and the
audience of last night was agreeably
surprised at the lack of suggestiveness or
vulgarity. In brief, the play is a pow
erful one, intelligently and capably inter-
preted.