The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-12-14

M U EW fOHhs DecennDer lo-DaVlu B Belasco's "The Darling of the \ V Gods" has taken the city by storm. This romantic drama, presented as no play has ever before been pre- sented will remain a fixture at Belasco's theatre for the season. It deserves to be, for despite the points that present themselves to critically pick at, the play is a real play and not a clothes horse, nor yet a dreamy skeleton upon which are dsported fantastic upholstery and silly rhetoric. It is too long, even when re- duced to the Il o'clock limit. Beautiful as is the picture of "Kanzashi Forks at the Hour of Ox'' it does not advance the ac- tion-it tells, picturesquely to be sure. that Kara does not come, that Kara Is being watched; all of which we already know. And we protest against the need less butchery of that child in later act. It but over-aceentuates the numerous cruelties in the piece. The story is clear ly told; it is not swamped by the scenic i effects Of this there can be no doubt. We may venture to hint that all the wo- men on the stage. Blanche Bates includ- ed, are far too large for a faithful re- plica of the tiny, charming Japanese creatures; this holds particularly true of the geishas. They look like giantesses. | Miss Bates is an agreeable comedienne; in tragic climaxes she runs to theatrical- l ism and drastic monotony. This may be l easily remeded by a toning down of her screenings, paintings and floor poundings. It is her early self and one with which we are tolerably familiar. She lacks nuance; she bounds at a climax never modulates toward it. And her voice, one full of charming vibrations is in moments of stress a thing of wrath. Singularly enough. in her fercest transports she never touches the heart; you admire the occasional dexterity, but never sorrow with the character. The reason Is be- cause of her too strenuous action. Miss Bates is recommended to read the so-called Dderot paradox. Until she con- trols herself she will never control the critical ones of her audience-and@ 1t is to the critical not to the groundings. that she desires to appear! A woman of interesting personality, with more brains than temperament, she yet may achieve any victory in her calling if she goes about 1t the right way. In comedy parts sine is unaffectedly natural-a rare com bination.
 It is George Arliss, a wonderful actor who dominates the pldy. I1e is JdpaHeSe- which Miss Bates ever is-and he is hideously real In the fourth act his nota- ton of lust is absolutely internal. Such passion must have been lit at the very grate of he'll And he compasses 1t all without a palpable effort, Terrible, too is his vile rage and despair after being repulsed by Yo-San. His lace becomes c monstrous cruelties. We recall with pleas ure Mr. Arliss in London as the def comedian, the best of Cay1ey Drummeles but we confess to being surprised at hi' versa tility. The man is great artist.
 With Eleanor Moretti, he Is tho onll one of the principals who has the Japan csc hands: the most expressive hand In the world: subtle cruel-if you will- but artistic; the hands that aohiev miracles in Ivory. on canvas, and in tn , exquisite medium of lanscape garnenins Miss Bates has solid sensible, unimag inative hands. and Mir. Haines has tn real American sturdy fist. courageou , these things ara not biots on the per formance; they are not essentials, on thing more. Why does MT. Belasco al low that little speech at the end Of Ae