Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-27
he THEAT Err. R:
New National Theater. :

The Viola Of Twelfth Night would have
found small reason to complain Of her
twentieth century namesake at the New
National Theater last night. Viola Aiieh
has endeared herself to a large number OF
theatergoers almost as strongly and IRE
vocably as has the Viola Of the play readers
Of Shakespeare. 1t was, therefore, most
suspicious union Of forces. The play Is
one Of Shakespeare's gentlest comedies; fun
Of satire that hurts no one Of the present
day, and depicting human affections In a
May-day mood. No doubt the text contains
illusions that bit deep and ranked In their
own time. When Queen Elizabeth is re-
called surrounded by courtiers, each eager
to please and to wed. If possible, 1t Is DIM
cult to avoid a suspicion that the unfortu-
nate Malvolio is but the master wits ex-
ped!ent for holding up to ridfcule the pre-
sumption of some conceited courtler BUT
the direct application Of Twelfth Night s
humor is lost in the shadow of the centuries
and only the exquisite pictures of human
nature, disturbed by the milder chances
of fate remain. To love and not be loved in
return is the hardest of its experiences, I'M
less the fate which poor .Malvolio suffers
for his egotism be excepted
Miss Aliens impersonation of Viola Is
good. honest Shakespeare. She q quite free
from the awkward little affectations which
often creep in when an artist announces the
determination to step forward and do
greater things. Womanly and loyable the
ing prudery and no hysterical effort at COM
edy. When masGuerading as boy she
stands squarely upon her two heels, and
strives with straightforward art to make
the illusion plausible. Yet there is a depth
Of sentiment in the portrayal which is the
more effective because it is not encountered
with artifice. One might wish for little
more poetic sympathy in the reading OF the
great speech Of the role commencing with
'she never told her love-" but lack OF
fervor is far safer than an excess of 1t. Mr.
Scott Craven was not sufficiently at ease In
the role of the Duke last night to render
Miss Allen the necessary support in some
of the most important scenes, although he
is possessed Of an agreeable personality
and looked the part handsomely.
Recollection reverts constantly to Mr..
John Blair's Malvolio. 1t was a fine i'm
PRESERVATION, with precisely the proper
shading of comedy. and a touch of pathos
at the conclusion of the play which gave
it genuine dignity. Mr.. Blair's abilities in
this direction were unsupported even by
his warmest admirers. His was an ire
sistibly humorous Characterization, un-
married by the slightest touch of buffoon-
cry. Clarence Handysides and Frank Cur
rfer Sir Andrew and Sir Toby, respect
lively, enacted their scenes of bOiSterous
merriment with rare Zest and the audi
ence was Immediately and completely en-
rapport with their brusuue yet captivating
foolery. Mr.. James Young played the part
of Sebastian, Viola's brother, finely. This
young actor is adding experience to native
ability in a manner which gives assurance
Of substantial recognition In the future
The cast throughout has been selected
with discrimination. The stage settings
are so beautiful as to give the presenta-
ton the right to rank as a scenic produc-
ton. Music is frequently and agreeably
employed, and Miss Aliens presentation of
Twelfth Night must be ranked not only
as personal triumph. but as worthy
performance Of the play.