The Washington times., 1903-11-26
sweet Kitty Bellairs" Has
Its First Production on the
Stage of the Lafayette
Square Opera House.
LARGE AUDIENCE HELD
NEARLY SIX HOURS
Time-Worn Plot Embellish-
ed by Fine Stage Setting.
A Charming Prologue One
of PEASANT Features.

A new play, at once significant OF
valuable stage alliance and material
equipment remarkable even IN this day
Of, extraordinary investitures. was pro-
duced at the Lafayette Square Theater
last night by David Belascc. The drama
bore the title OF sweet Kitty Bellairs''
and had for its star Hcnrietta Cros-
man. an actress Of much artistic sensi-
biiity, fine technical skill. and great per-
sonal force II would be pleasant 10
record that the enterprise had proven
p notable contribution to theatrical art;
hut this was not the case
ANY examination Of Mr.. Beiascos
other ventures-''Zaza." ''Du Barry"
and '.The Darling Of the Gods'-would
have prepared last nights audience TO
expect q series OF stage pictures as
brilliant and rich as the period would
permit; a good company Of pronounced
eVenness: a plot which dealt mainly
with attacks on the reputation OF wou-
on, or with the temptations to women
produced by circumstances. personal
weakness. or masculine faithlessness.
and a series of brutal details. A knowl-
edge of Miss Crosmans career would
have led. similarly. TO the anticipation
Of a consistent enactment-wIe teveT
took part-a pulsating, living personal
ity. and an abundant PERSONAL charm.
1t IS a fair epitome of Sweet Kitty
Bellairs" TO say that these expectations
were entirely realized.
Certain general qualities of the enter
tainment had been disclosed in advance.
IT was thus known the period was that
OF the French Republican wars. and
that the action occurred chiefly at Bath,
then the center of English frivolity, the
scene OF innumerable dirtatious and the
social kingdom in which half a dozen
beaux anu bellies ruled in turn. Kitty
Bellairs arrived in Bath in 1898. shortly
after the reign OF Beau Nash. and the
play presents. therefore, a picture like
those Of Gainsborough-beauti by
bright feminine costumes; or large
plumed mats, quilted underskirts. and
paniers, enlivened by scarlet uniforms.
and emphasized BY a back ground Of En-
glish countryside OF pastoral beauty and
peaceful security.
A Gem in a Beanpot
Into this picture steps an Irishwornan.
sweet Kitty Beliairs" Miss Crosman's
art and Mr.. Beiasco's skill make the
character delightful. She is given pro-
nOunced beauty. Of course. Her brogue
is as delicate as the shamrocks she car
ries always IN her belt. Her heart is
Too large for her body. as she says Of
one of thu other characters And she
has all the Eiibness OF speech. ease Of
compliment, and brilliancy Of mind with
which playwright and novelists have al
ways endowed the Irish
Her career in this Bath comedy com
prises falling in love with the most
bashful lieutenant in the service. a
midnight Visit TO his rooms TO prevent
hina from fighting duel. her discovery
there behind his bed curtains. the hu-
initiation OF a general snub at an off,
GERS ball. and final restoration TO
good grace and her sweetheart's favor.
The usual subordinate characters are
provided. as matter Of course-two
boisteroUs coionels: a baronet braggart
pursuing a liaison with mighty vigor: a
ceDosed belle OF Bath. jealous, design
tng. and unprincipIed; = tattIe-; a con-
panion whose weakness prevents he~
from saving Kitty and the invariabIe
Officers. beaux. ladies' aaG servants.
Painted With Strong Colors.
The truth Of the matter Is that the
plot was worn out a hundred years ago,
and in shis instance IS spread very thin.
Sheridaa borrowed the best element IN
Il from sou; ees which reached back Two
centuries or more. and no one who has
follower in his footsteps-either with
Lady Nindemere's Fan, 1.-THE Mummy
and the Huaming Bird. THE Sword OF
the King. Or any others OF this innum-
erablc cOmpany-has done half 80 we'll
But this device 81 hiding Behind q cur
tain ard subsequent discovery L. toe di-
rect a road 20 dramatic interest ever
10 wear out. As long as the great num-
Der Of our plays are writer to make
money. u viii live triumphant There IS
some consolation. however. IN think
issE that these plays 10 not last unless
built with the masters hand. and that
when they are so built their offensive
ness IL 1'inimized
AR. Be.ascos error seems to lie in a
purpose 20 paint his dramatic pictures
with strong colors- This IS frequent in
AL the arts. ana IL Il noteworthy that
every artist who has been rea-y great
has worked boldly. strongly and fear
iessly. But IL has been always the
man who iasdded the methods and not
the methods which justified the man.
lIr. Belasc0--be Il said with all respect
and regret--has 50 Ear manifested moth
ing more than technical skin % pro-
duce certain mechanical results The
consequence Is that Sweet Kitty Bel
Iairs" abcunds in british. sickening Ina
morality. Instead OF atmosphere In his
bedroom a.enes this playwright has
EneyEiAh Too}imonu