The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-27
NationaI-..The Only Way"

yicomte De st. Evremonde. ........-EaIlc Browr
PLAY.
Sydney Carton .....--.--.--.---..-..H Henry Vile
Ernest Detarge- y weaver, IT,
Mr.. Lorry ..-..........-.-.-.-.-..-J- ~ Ste1dff
Mr.. stryvcr Joseph 81 man
Dr.. Msnette ...-.-......--. Daniel IL. H1TSlH'
Charles Darnay -...........-.......bl IoE b"lsl--
Lucie Manette ..--.....-.....-.-.-.hd tgafct Daie
tn We: geance ...-..................hin ua hoehl
Mimi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS -tertrude IinAef
Perhaps Henry Miller never spoke more
truly than when. al the last New York per-
Torrance of The Only Way he para
phrased the final words of the book from
which the piece was taken and simply said:
1T is a far. far better play than I have
ever had. and the results are far far better
than 1 have ever known" As revealed
yester-evening at the National. this YER
sion of Dickens "A Tale OF Two Cities
proved deserving Of higher praise than
could be given in ranking it above the mer
itless vehicles in which Mr.. Miller has ap-
peared since the Inauguration Of his stellar
career. Freeman Wills has made of the
powerfully dramatic pen picture OF the
French Revolution q theatrical Offering
containing all the heart interest" OF
Sowing the Wind" all the delicate beauty
and purity Of An American Citizen" all
The force and directness Of DIR. Belgrait.
and ali the opportunity for display notable
in "Robespierre" In THE Only Way" no
actor of reasonable attachments could be
anything but delightful no auditor Of rea
sonable feeling could be anything but alb
sorbed. Mr.. Wills success is atonement
for the many men who have failed in
adapting "A Tale Of Two Cities"
Except for the introduction OF a char
acter that seems to have had its foundation
in Sydney Cartons acquaintance Of the
tumbril, and a natural connection Of dis
connected motives. the arranger has de-
parted but little from the theme and detail
of the English master. The story begins
with a prologue. in which is shown tbs
murder of the peasant by the despOiler
of his sister, and in which DR.. Manette is
brought forward. Next, at the chambers
of Sydney Carton, the life and alteration OF
that dissipated barrister are made public.
The third act conveys Carton to DR.. Ma
nette's in time to hear the admired Lucie
plighted to Charles Darnsy, and the happy
Darnay, who. in the piece, is descended
from the assassins of the peasant. sum
moned to Paris by one of the family Of
the dead boy. The scene then shifts to that
capital. The spectator is conducted to the
trial Of Darnay and finds Carton speaking
III Lt5 utICl4Ct- + ihdLiJ. tHttr tolhtH LAS
end on the scaffold where the heroic friend
establishes the verify Of the passion than
which greater love hath no man The
v hole play is superb.
This gem OF dramatic literature is inter
preted by a company Of really extraordi-
nary strength. Mr.. Miller himself never
has achieved in Washington anything like
the success OF last night. Mr. Wills
has given Sydney Carton several magnlh-
cent climaxes and 50 carefully does the
star lead up to these that the audience
was moved to constant applause. And The
Only Way affords opportunities outside
Of those of Mr. Miller. Probably Of second
merit is the Jean Defarse CT II. A. Weaver,
ir. Joseph Bremen. Daniel Harkins Earle
Brown. and Minna Hoehn are notable for
excellent bits. while that fayOrtte and
write veteran. J. II. Stoddart makes a deal
OF The role OF Mr.. LOrry- Margaret Dale is
inclined toward gaspiness, while Gertrude
Finney is surprisingly good. Nor should
even passing praise be bestowed unless il
include Byron Douglas. a worthy young
actor with some intelligence. The pro-
luction is admirable and the mob elects
never have been surpassed here.