The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-02-16
MRS. CARTER IN GAIA"
Presented Her Famous Impersonation
Before a Large Audience.

Presented Her Famous representation
Before Large Audience.
Mrs. Leslie Carter presented HZaza"
at the Hyperion theater last night. The
audience was large and the enthusiasm
was unbounded After each act there
were several curtain calls and after the
big fourth act there were six or seven
1t is an absorbing and thrilling play
and Mrs Carter's acting is remarka bly,
extraordinary exhibition of expert
theatrical knowledge and stage idiom,
and it ought to be witnessed by all
students of the contemporary drama
Mrs. Carter, who was recognized in
1.-THE Heart of Maryland as a clever
actress Of much promise, has made her.
self famous by her performance of the
title role. 1t Is a case of perfect suit
ability of temperament and her success
is indubitable. Her triumph Is we'll
deserved because she Is a persistent,
conscientious worker and under Mr.. Be
lascG's excellent tutelege she has meta
morphosed from an awkward amateur
into a capable coincidence. The word
comedienne is purposely employed be-
cause her comedy Is to-day much bet
ter than her more strenuous efforts.
Very likely she may grow to the ar
tistic stature of tragedy but at pres
emit her best talent seems to lie in the
lighter vein.
The play is wonderful example of
stage-craft 1t is impossible to tell
how much Is due to Belasco's undoubt-
ed skill and how much is in the origi-
nal piece. Belasco has very justly been
called 1.-THE American Sardou,' and he
possesses to a great degre Sardou's
appreciation of stage effect. The orig
inal piece was acted successfully by
Nine. Rejane and was written for her
by Pierre Berton and Charles Simon
Whatever is due Belasco in the distri-
button of praise it is certainly good
translation. The atmosphere Is thor
oughly French and this is a volatile
quality that Is easily lost in clumsy
hands. The first act is a model for as
pirantS for dramatic laurels. There is
not superfluous word or unnecessary
line The dialogue is crisp and the
movement capital. The characters are
brought in easily and logically develop
ed. The idea Is not wholly original, but
1t is better utilized than in any previ-
GUS instance. The entire play is well
written.
The Inconsistencies of Zaza's moods
have been criticised, the objection be-
ing that the comedy and tragedy are too
constantly juggled for natural effect
To the present writer this does not seem
false. If Zaza has any charm 1t Is her
sense of humor, and the fact that it does
not desert her in crucial moments is a
saving grace. She is essentially COM
mon woman of the people and her hui
NOR is of the native kind. Mrs Carter
may Justly be criticised for broadening
these effects, but it is exactly in these
moments that she is most spontaneous
and convincing. She does the big, tenn
pestuous scenes artistically, with finely
calculated detail and carefully consid- |
cred use of voice and gesture, and the |
effort is admirable. 1t never fails to
carry the house and it has won her the |
cordial appreciat alton of the great the
ater- going public. The applause last |
night was most enthusiastic.
The cast is essentially the same as in |
the New York run. Dufrene is played I
by Charles Stevenson, who is polished |
and an admirable foil for Mrs. Carter. |
Mark Smith is an uncttous Cascart I
Marie Bates who was the great Mrs. |
Murphy" in "Chimmie Fadden," has
made good study of Aunt Rosa and |
Helen Tracy is still the faithful 'Nath-
allie" Among the Others are Elizabeth /
Belknap. Maude Winter and Harold
The play will be presented tonight
and tomorrow afternoon and evening.