Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-19
ADJUSTMENTS.


Theater. looking charming in its new deco
rations Of white and gold. opened it's season
last night under the most suspicious cir
cumstances. The house was packed from
orchestra to top gallery, and the play
was Israel Zangwill's much-discussed adap-
tation of his book. 1.-The Children of the
Ghetto Mr.. Zangwills stories have ex-
cited widespread interest because they have
brought before the public an atmosphere
and a set Of characters and incidents Of
which little was known before They have
also given knowledge of Judaism hitherto
unknown to the Genties and almost forgot
ten by many Jews. THE Children of the
Ghetto" as a story, goes beyond the heart
tragedy of the separation Of Hannah ia
cobs and David Brandon and discusses an
Gent and modern Judaism in many of it's
phases. In the play this too, is done, and
1t Is this phase of the play that makes one
hesitate to prOpheSy to Its ultimate
success.
If last night performance and its rec
ognition by the highly friendly audience
may be taken as criterion, the piece was
great go" 1t was. taking it in all re-
srects, the smoothest first performance ever
given in this city. which has become noted
fer initial presentations That was to have
been expected however, for the production
was made under the direction of Mr.. James
A Herne. than whom no one Is more COM
petent The cast was a notable one, the
costuming was accurate. the scenery was
appropriate and the properties were numer-
Gus and in keeping with the people and the
story. AS to the story, for the benefit of
those who have not read the book 1t may
be briefly stated thus: Sam Lavine, a COM
merclal traveller, has bought diamond
ring for his fiancee, Leah, and in spirit
OF fun first puts 1t on the finger Of Milly
Phillips, married woman, and then on
Hannah Jacobs finger, in each case repeat
ing the marriage ritual. With Milly it
doesn't make any difference, but in the case
of Hannah it makes her his wife according
to the Jewish law. This is announced by
Pinchas. an egotistical poet, who is learned
in the religious rules. The knowledge of
the result, as announced by Pinchas, causes
great CONSERVATION, but Pinchas says that
there is a remedy in divorce, or "gett,"
and this is accomplished through Reb Shem-
uel, the father of Hannah. He tells his
daughter when he hands her the "gett'
that she cannot be betrothed for ninety
days.
During this period Hannah meets David
Brandon at the Purim ball, and both be-
come attached to each other, and at the
conclusion of her probation they are be-
trothed secretly, David having to leave
London on business. Hannah has doubts
as to the ceremonies of her religion and
David Is lax Jew, and the young woman
hesltates to tell her father of their at
tachment, because he is such strict con-
structionist upon all religious matters She
does tell him, and this venerable rabbi
gives his consent because he finds how
deeply his daughters affections are con-
cerned. Just after this consent has been
secured David returns and is introduced
to Reb Shemuel, who welcomes him as n
son-in-law, but when he discovers that
David Is Cohen, a priest of the tribe of
Aaron withdraws his consent and declares
mat the marriage cannot take place, be-
cause a Cohen cannot marry a divorced
woman. Appeals and arguments by both
Hannah and David fail to move him from
the decision he has made; it is the law
and the law cannot be changed, and the
lovers part in deepest anguish David SUBJ
sequently induces Hannah to promise to
elope with him to America, but she finally
finds the ties of family and religion too
strong, and she remains with her father
leaving David shut cut in the public square
These principal characters We're intrust-
ed to the following well-known people: Reb
Shemuel, Wilton Lackaye; David Brandon,
Frank Worthing and Hannah Jacobs,
Miss Blanche Bates. The central figure is
Miss Bates, who gives to the part of Ham
nah all the gifts she has at her command
and VINO makes of her a character that
VIII long live in ones memory. In the
lighter scenes she is easy and natural
while the emotional passages receive en-
phatic and judicious treatment. 1t is Diff
hcult to recall an actress so well suited to
the part as Miss Bates, and the audience
evidently appreciated her work to it's full
extent, for 1t was applauded at every OPP
portunity, and she brought before the
curtain at the close of every act. Mr.
Ldchdye gave 10 fteD Snemuel the dignity
or bearing that the character demanded,
and his makeup was something marvellous
he was IN every way adequate, and this
part Will add another to the artistic pic
lures he has given the American stage.
Mr.. Lackaye received positive ovation on
his entrance, and 1t was some minutes be-
fore he was allowed to speak the lines of
his part. He was also the recipient of
several calls before the curtain. Mr.
Worthing is capable Of doing good
work, but he has mannerisms that are an
noying. He doesn't seem to know what
to do with his hands. and his habit Of fold
est and at times masterful lover, and In the
stronger passages was forceful. although
his closing scene and final ejaculation were
weak and ineffective.
PlnchaS, in the hands of Mr.. VIM. Norris
Is splendid piece of comedy character
work, and deserved all the applause 1t re-
ceived In a part of this kind there Is a
tendency to ovcr-act. but Mr.. Norris does
interviewer with these people is great
number of characters, all of which were
well taken, and the cast includes such
names as Nine. Cottrelly. Louise Muldner
Morrison, Sadie Stringham and a bright lit
tie girl, Mabel Ealiaferro; Adolph Lestina,
Claude Brooke. Gus Frankel, Fred Lotto
Chas. Stanley and Richard earle. There
are others. but they can be put in the 'also
ran class. There will probably be changes
in the piece before it gets to New York
Some suggested themselves last night and
others will be found necessary before the
week Is over. The play will have big run
this season, but whether it will duplicate
Ihe Christians" success is a question
1t has been placed before the public In
the most capable manner and Messrs
Liebler & Co have given Mr. Zangwill's
work the best setting possible
Mr. Zangwill and Mr.. Herne were COM
PEELED to make speeches at the conclusion
of the play.
COLu MBA.-It is not the easiest or the
most gracious task in the world for an
actor, however accomplished and popular
to step into role which has been filled
with apparently entire satisfaction nv a
relatively greater stage favorite in the
immediate past. Yet such a task appeaIs
to some temperaments because of its very
embarrassments and may lead in conse-
quence to the greater success. 1t is evident
that 1t is In some such spirit, and certainly
with very fattering success that Mr.
Otis Skinner has placed The Liars, on
his repertoire for the present season. and
opening his season in a city where Mr.
Drew In the same play has won marked
admiration. Mr.. Skinner is not to be com
pared In general terms with Mr. Drew. for
the methods and personalities of the two
men are essentially different. Yet, of
course, standing in the same role and
speaking the same lines there are ineyita-
Bile comparisons 1t would be trite to saw
that Mr. Skinner acquitted himself well