Gilpin observer., 1900-05-03
"sAPHo" is NOT AN IMMORAL PLAY
Newspaper Critics Everywhere Say 1t Is Il
Play of Remarkable Merit and
Splendldly Presented

| Ne"sPaPerC Critics everywhere Say 1t Is
| Play of Remarkable Merit and
SplendIdly Presented.
/ The Lyceum Theatre Stock Company
which presented "Sapho" for two weeks
in Denver, is now playing the Colorado
circuit, and is receiving most favorable
criticisms everywhere. They will be at
the Opera House, Central, Friday-to-
morrow-night. The following is taken
from the Cripple Creek Star of April 81;
"There was an immense audience at
the Grand last night to witness the much
abused, but not the less patti onized play of
"Sapho." The performance was one of re-
markable merit, splendidly balanced and
tempered. The play has been denounced
as immoral, but it is not. 1t discusses
with the customary French candor the
intimate concerns Of a phase OF life that
is very common even in countries in
which it is not chosen as material for the
play maker, but this candor OF discussion
in no instance declines into vulgarity or
has demoralizing effect. A play in or
der to be immoral must have an immoral
influence, that is to say, must make i'm
morality attractive, must tempt in some
way toward wrong doing. That "Sapho"
does not do this is easily apparent, for
what is there in the experience of its
Jeans, and its Fannies, its Alces and it's
Dechelettes to lure anyone toward an i'm
itation OF their modes of life? Do they
not all drink the cup of sins bitter ex-
piation to the dregs and find in the pois-
oned chnlice of experience two drops of
hyssop for every drop of honey? Is not
the play seen last night by Cripple Creek
theatre goers, with ali its frank exploita
tion of the passions, with all its implied
disregard for the institution of marriage
one tremendous sermon in favor of the
established moralties, one great argu-
ment having for its conclusion the una
voidable dilemma He that embraces
| pitch shall be soiled, he that thrusts his
hand into the fire shall be burned and
as there lives God he that soweth the
wind shall reap the whirlwind?' This
being the case, the moral aspect of the
play should disappear from present con-
troversyland the artistic aspect present
aspect present itself for discussion. With
reference to this there has never been
any dispute. The story is one of pro-
| digious heart interest, OF moving dra.
matte cssnaxes and of broad and abur,
dant artistic opportunity. The dramati
zation Presented by Manager Arkin's
company differs from the book, not
merely in those particulars in which the
exigcncies of the narrative do not ac-
| commodate themselves to the limitations
OF dramatic treatment, but in many es-
sential regards effecting the central fig
ure OF .he piece. These differences are
in the main commendable tonings down
Of the character of "Sapho."
AS regards the Interpretation OF the
piece, it was able and artistic to de-
gree. Than Miss Beryl Hope, who played
the title role, few more capable emotional
actresses are travelling today. Her i'm
personation Of the woman OF many loves
and mighty emotions was we'll conceived
and truthfully rendered. In the lighter
scenes she was coy, piquant, insinuating,
resourcefully fascinating. In the senti
mental ones she conveyed passionate
woman's headlong regard with an ire
sistable verify, while the stormy climaxes
Of the second and third acts she was a
veritable tempest Of unbridled passion.
A surprise in the performance was the
part OF P"Irene" which the dramatist has
written into prominence in the third act.
That this character is merely name
In the book is we'll known. but in
the play she is made very important
figure in the only act in which she ap.
pears. That the character Is written out
by the dramatist very cleverly to At an
exigency in the action is very clear but
the great interest which the character
awakened last evening was due to the
wonderful beauty, the sweet intelligence
and the artistic ingenousness OF Miss
Lottie Alter to whom the part had been
cast. Anything quite 30 effective in its
sweet simplicity and adorable earnestness
has not been seen upon the stage in a
long time, the consequence being that
the part, brief rs it is, stands out as one
Of the most conspicuous features OF the
play.
John Flood looked considerably older
than the 81 years which Jean gives as
the figure Of his nge, but he made up in
intelligent and effective acting what he
lacked 10 youthful fitness for the part
One Of the most effective pieces OF char.
acterizstion among admirable group was
that Of "Dechelette" impersonated by