The evening times., 1900-09-25
AT THE THEATRES.
The Nationai-yioIa Allen.


Viola Allen displayed her new play, In
the Palace of the King" before an i'm
mense audience at the National last night
and won a popular verdict of success, due
doubtless to d great extent to her own un-
deniable genius, an excellent supporting
company and lavish expenditure for
scenery and costumes. OF the play, dra-
matiZation by Lorimer Stoddard of F..
Marion Crawford's s story Of similar name,
it must be confessed that it is slow in
arousing the interest of the spectator and
the entire first act is merely OF an ex-
planatory nature, principally Of value for
the Introduction of the various characters.
In the Palace of the King is essen
TALLY romantic play of love and court
intrigue, although some portions of the
piece are really melodramatic in the in
tensity of their situations. The play was
viewed by audiences in several New Eng
land cities last week, but last nights per-
formaDce was announced by the manage
ment as the formal opening. The action
of the play takes place between and Il
CLOCK of one evening. Don John, just
returned from his victory at Grenada
finds himself still in love with Dona Do
lores de Mendoza, daughter of the captain
OF the Household Guards, who is bIindIy
devoted to Philip, Don Johns half brother
Philip secretly loves Dolores, and is teal-
Gus of Don Johns great popularity. The
hrst scene, which Is decidedly slow and
cumbersome, discIoses the situation, and
the second contains pretty love scene
between Don John and Dolores. The third
scene Is stormy interview between Do
Iores and her father, who strenuousIy OBJ
lects TO the proposed alliance between Do
lores and Don John, because of his loyalty
tc the King, who objects to the maria ge
Dolores speaks her love with eloquence
and force. Then comes the Princess
Eboll. with her wicked plotting She also
loves Don John, and meditates the ruin OF
dolores. She plans that Don John shall
surprise Dolores in the presence of the
Cardinal, and that his jealousy shall be
aroused and that Dolores shall be dishon-
ored.
In the next scene the friendship of the
court fool for Don John and Dolores is
SHOWN The lovers make their plans for 1,
secret marriage by the Cardinal and Do
iores, IN a strong scene with Don John
persuades him not to rebel against Philip
as he had resolved to do in order that he
might set up a kingdom Of his own. where
his right to marry Dolores would be un-
questioned The action now changes to
Don Johns apartments. where Dolores and
liz ~fAA fA3i48iA nave ltutiCu themselves ne
King appears and tells to Don John SLAM
derou5 tales Of Dolores. The Cardinal
Genes out Of his concealment to reDroach
the King for the injustice he has done Do
Iores. He bids defiance to Philip and ac-
cuses him of the murder of his son and
wife, whereupon Philip strikes him with
his dagger and he falls apparently dead
Philip induces Don John to take the re-
sponsibility Of the supposed murder on the
ground that a war between church and
state would result. If ii were known that
the Pope's representative had fallen by
the Kings hand. Dolores in her conceal
ment, is a witness 10 TIE episode
In the following scene before an as
semblaga in the throne room, Don John,
in spite Of the protests of Dolores. de-
clares that he has killed the Cardinal,
wheTeupon he IS placed under arrest,
Dolores in her despair mounts the throne
and declares Don Johns innocence but
only so much of her story is believed as
reflects on heT honor. A cleyerly devised
incident OF this scene is the exchange OF
defiance between Dolores and the Prin-
cess. as they meet in court dance In
the closing scene Philip tFeacherousiy con-
demns Don John TO death. but through
the faithfUlness of the court fool. proof
is placed in the hands of Dolores by which
she can expose the plot of the Princess.
She also forces Philip 10 release Don John
by threatening to tell the court all she
knows OF the Cardinals death. At this
juncture, Philip, by force has her at
disadvantage when suddenly, the Cardin-
al appears as from the grave and the tri-
umph OF Don John and Dolores is COM
Plete.
Miss Allen is given many opportunities
TO prove her worth as an actress of rare
ability and takes full advantage OF them
Shc is ably assisted by Edgar Davenport
and William Norris. The former as the
Cardinal Luis De Torres and Mr. Norris as
the court fool make distinct hits. Other
members Of the company are Charles Kent,
Robert T. Haines, Clarence HsRdyside,
Leslie Allen Marcia van Dresser, Ger
trude Norman, and Blanche Moulton.