The Washington times., 1903-10-13
.BELLEW AND HOLLAND
STARS IN "RAFFLES"
Capable Actors Opposed in
Good New Play.
A STUDY IN CHRONOLOGY
Work of Eugene Presbury and E. w.
Hornung a Series of Tense Scenes.
Well Received.

Hornung Series of Tense Scenes.
Well Received
Rejuvenated by modern attire. not
too youthful makeup, and character
of absorbing and fascinating qualities,
l<yrle Bellew made his temperance on
the local stage at the National The
alter last night. One of the largest and
most fashionable audiences OF the sea-
son greeted the English player and his
associates in Rallies" a dramatization
by Eugene Presbrey and T.. w. Hornung
of Mr.. Hornungs sketches, The ANA
teur Craftsman"
'RafIies" is an interesting blending
OF the most salient features of Cap
tain Swift and Jim the Penman." en-
HANGED by remarkably clever situa-
lions and comedy of a high order. AS
in the book, "Raffies" is "a champion
cricketer and a gentleman thief. He
outbOwls his opponents with the same
ease as when in the story he says TO
Bunny: What's the satisfaction In
taking a mans wicket when you want
his spoons?"
The problem presented in the play es
well as in the story, is this: rs crime
excusabIe as a form of disease2' The So
luton Of the problem is left wholly with
the auditor but at least IT presents
many interesting phases worth more
than a moments thought inclination
to possess himself of costly diamonds
is as strong and as Irresistible with Raj
fles as his ability to evade and escape
detection
Story of Absorbing Interest.
Small things. like picking pockets.
or knocking man down and rob
bling him. are beneath Rallies gen
tlemanIy principles. 1t is only when
large stakes and great risks stare rim
in the face that he is powerless to re-
sist a try at both. and he is equally
successful in accomplishing his motive,
staying on the ground and routing sus-
picion He is what he himself terms
an artist" The presence on the scene
of another. thought different sort OF an
artist" is the only thing that dis
turbs the monotony of. Rallies opera
tiors, and this only adds Impetus to The
gentleman thief's desires. This parsonage
is a real detective from Scotland Yard.
with drawing room habits. His suspi-
cions of the Craftsman" IN no wise
discomfort the latter. and both ar
lists" ply their separate vacations with
avidity.
Captain Bedford the gentleman from
Scotland Yard. suspects and pursues
Raffies through four acts and the eli
max TO the entire play is one that leaves
the olive branch of artistic achievement
dangling idly above the heads Of gen
tleman thief and sleuth. both entitled.
both eager for its possession. both quits
until a later day.
The story of "Rafies" has love in
terest enough 10 satisfy those who al
ways demand a little sentiment served
across the footlights. But the main and
absorbing features Of the story are the
elements of Rallies character and those
Of Captain Bedford. With every other
figure in the story left out these two
could not help but hold ones attention
through its telling They are clever
drawings, are given wealth OF crisp
dialogue. and come just about as near
providing an evening OF genuine enjoy
ment as anything seen in Washington
for many months.
Mr.. Bellows Triumph.
Many persons. particularly those OF
the young generation, believe that Kyrle
Bellew was born to act Romeo all his
life and If ne dared put on sack coat
the gods OF all things artistic would
rise up in their wrath and cast him for
Mr. Bellew has again tempted public
condemnation after many years and APP
pears in modern clothes. With the pic
turesque costnming Of young Montague,
the doublet and hose OF Claude Mel
nOtte, Mr. Bellew has laid aside affecta-
ton. a bad enunciation and tendency
to turn his back on his audiences. In
lieu Of these unpleasant mannerisms
which characterized hts later work here
he has provided n good. modern stage
presence clear reading, and a repose
which. added 70 unquestionable grace
make his present characterization one Of
the most pleasing things his admirers
could wish to see His impersonation
Of the gentleman thief is the acme Of
quiet and masterfdl repose. His read
ing OF the lines allotted 70 Rallies is pc
culiarly satisfying and In his enactment
Of the critical scenes in the play. MI
Bellew did not for an instant lack the
Doise which will undoubtedly place his
characterization Of Rallies among his
notable achievements.
Shares Honors With Star.
Mr. Bellew, it is believed. will De
among the first TO acknowledge. should
he be asked. that there are two stars ia
"Rafiles" Z NJ Holland claims the
ulSliictlOu OF DtluS LII. BelieW s run
ming mate. although he is practically
reviving a character bit Captain Red
wood-which served to add few greens
10 his collection of laurels Mr.. Hol-
land has long been considered one of the
ablest actors on the American stage.
and his work as the detective in Raj
nes," though. as has been said, a rep
etitiOn. proved of keen enjoyment. Raj
hes and Bedford are foils throughout
the piece, and il was a fight to the
death between them. Their subtleties
were SO finely drawn and so artisUcally
impaired TO the audience that one could
not fail 20 appreciate the high qualities
Of the two players before them
Clara Blandick enacts the role Of Gwen
dolyn Conrun In pleasing style. Ethel
Matthews. a noted English beauty. has
a bad voice an Indifferent siege .,r..-
enCe, and does all In her power with a
most uncongenial role. Lucy Milner. an
other English player, In the role Of Lady
Ethel. adds nothing more % her acting
II a. IL. 81