Evening star., 1901-11-05
AMUsEMENTs,

NE" Na11ONAL -THEATER. - The
measure of appreciation accorded play
like THE Helmet of Navarro" depends
much on the personal bias Of the spec
tator If he is strict modernist, imbued
with a strong reverence for the benefits of
steam engines and an efficient police force,
he may be tempted to say tut tut or
something equally incoherent and disparag-
ing. But the romantic drama was no.
built for such. 1t is for the impression
able nature that can resign itself to the
spell of antiquity. ,"Oh, for the good OLD
daysr' when all that a prisoner need do
was to say ION my honor In order to be
temporarily released from custody; when
a whole regiment would obligingly turn
their backs while two lovers exchanged
tender condolences, with never a caitiff
symptoms of cervcal elasticity. Those Were
the happy days when mems apparel locke d
as IL the wearerS read the announcements
Of all reductions to S1.9S and knew every
remnant day In the MERGERS calendar. If
a gentleman had a quarrel he met his an
tagonist with swords just around the cor
ner. If the police dared to interfere they
Joined forces and whipped the police.
Literature holds up to ridicule the humble
and estimable housemaid who hopes one day
to marry the handsome youth of noble pedi-
gree; but it has an unwavering fOndneSs for
the registering scalawag whose chief COM
appearing ridiculous. Cheer up, we youths
of frayed trousers and shiny coat sleeves.
for In the theater, that mirror of human
life, is 1T not the man with the tattered
wardrobe who gets the girl and turns the
laugh upon his rival? his prosperous rival
before whose giories the most ornate pin
cushion ever devised would dwindle into
insignificance?
Charles Dalton was the actor most in evil
dence last night. 1t was he who imperso-
mated the literary descendent Of DArtagnan,
Don Caesar and all the rest of the distin-
guished swash bucllers, most of whom. Jet
us give thanks, hail from France. No
doubt our ancestors in merry England had
their share of cut and slash heroes, but 1t
is pleasantest to believe that they bOr-
rowed their bad manners well as their
costumes from the continent and that the
one fitted their natural proportions lily
did the other
Mr.. Dalton has before him the very diff
cult task of realizing the feminine concept
of natural born hero. He must have all
the vices, but in such moderation as to
make him, after all, a marvel Of self-subjd-
cation. He may drink, but he must never
become intoxicated; he may fight, but he
must never be beaten; he may gamble but
he must always win. He must be the idol
of the feminine fancy, yet oblivious to all
charms save those of one alone. He must
be handsome, though unkempt and gifted
with all the rhetorical graces, despite the
| fact that the only book he sees is that in
| which the inn-keeper has his reckoning.
Dumas permitted ID DArtagnan a few minor
| defects of character, so as to humanze
him. but the feminine bookwright or play
wright refuses to bulge an inch from htr
| lofty idealism. Mr.. Dalton portrayed his
character in q manner which sustained the
reputation he had won as good actor in
''The Sign Of the Cross" His personality
| lends pictorial grace to the scenes in which
| he is concerned, and he reads lines with
discriminating emphasis, There are mo-
ments when Mr.. Dalton's solidity of build
which suits the barbaric poses of his for
| mer role SO well, tends to hinder the i'm
| preston of alertness and dash which such
| a character ought to convey.
No more splendid array of historic COS
| tuning has been seen In long time. The
| clothing, gorgeous as 1t was. served to call
attention TO the distressing fact that grace
OF limb Is far from being q universal mas
| culine attribute. The management having
| a male ballet under consideration should
take the precaution to select candidates
| from a swimming school or gymnasium
| IL would be too much to unreseryediy
classify The Helmet of Navarro" as a
good play. IL depends much on the manner
OF It's production. Judged by the applause,
| there could be no doubt OF the audience !
| satisfaction. As a costume display the piece
Is revelation. and Il serves 10 Introduce
Mr.. Dalton In role that IL quite within his
| dramatic rather than artistic: u depends ON
! rapid succession of more or less coherent.
" connected epirodes rather than any log.
| ieslls Developed motive or original charac.
ter creations. Nf. Marnton, who supplIud
| tAa pfastirsi experience Ia the dfamailxa.
tinn, has. according 10 his custom ~ yere
noiie aftaf elssnakea hammer and t0aas. and