The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-10
The Stubbornness Of Geral-
dine" Proves to Be Bright,
Ingenious, and Pure in
Tone-A Clyde Fitch Play
Well Acted.

with humor, and redolcnt with sweet
and natural sentiment. was produced az
the New National Theater last night
by Mary Mannering and an admirable
supporting company. The work is in
eptly entitled The Stubbornness Of
Geraldine" and is from the pen of the
industrious and prolific Clyde Fitch; but
II is so far removed from the smart.
and artificial writing with which this
author has identified himself that
neither title nor authorship can seri-
ously impede its progress. An audience
OF notable social distinction viewed the
play last night and gave to it unquali-
NED approval in which fact. Mr.. Fitch
ana Miss Mannering's managers might
readily find a valuable lesson II thew
have not already learned IL.
The Stubbornness OF Geraldine" is
very possibly the American school for
Scandal" II lacks. however. that touch
or cynicism and laxity Of moral pre-
cept that characterize the works O
sheridan II Is built upon a simple and
touching love story. set forth in natural
analogue. and expressed with rare deli
cacy, sweetness and strength. Of
course no such substance could form
the basis OF a problem play. Yet THE
Stubbornness OF Geraldine teaches IN
the end q healthful and fine lesson
which. perhaps. the world needs tbeqc
days--the lesson that no woman cap
pretend she loves a man unless she has
ialth In him. and that the only on
VINO should be able to destroy that
ialth should be the man she loves
story and plot are distinctivclv novel
young American girl who has livod
abroad nearly all her life. and yybo e.
nov ieit alone in the world with only a
vast fortune for company is discovered
on the deck of a transatlantic steamer
Two days away from New York A white
rose mas been LEFT in her steamer chair
every day OF the voyage. This rose and
the ofices OF German companion bring
together the two chief characters Of tine
play, Geraldine and a young Hungarian
nooleman. whose heart was lost to Ger
aidine at dance in Vienna. and who
is Following her TO America as 4 second
class passenger
Because he IS poor and his LADY is
rich he goes as slowly as he can with
ms love-making. But young hearts beat
FAST and American girls are imperious.
50 the day after Geraldine's arrival
home the Hungarian's affection snans /
Its chains and the two disclose /
their love to each other in a hall
way filled TO impassabiIity with tho
young woman's trunks. Then come |
difficulties. The Hungarian's English IS 1
faulty. He has. moreover. been con /
fused with a vicious and bIackguardIv /
elder brother. In consequence his re 4
fusal TO ask his sweetheart TO become /
"A
canoe aard the two are separated. Lack
OF funds drives the nobleuan 10 beco,,e
leader OF a Hungarian band In that
guise. while he and HIS men perform
the music for a dance at which his lady
is the guest OF honor. he is AT last abIa
10 clear away the chilling mist of dis
trust and suspicion which has enveloped
them all. Through all these events
however. Geraldine's faith in her sweet
heart never falters even for an instant.
ana II Is this hne quality OF her charac-
ter which gives the play its name.
IN mounting and acting The Stub
bornness OF Geraldine" rivals The On
timist." OF Air Willard The stage set
tings are not only beautiful but iDreni-
Gus and natural. 40 one else has ever
displayed the deck OF a steamer al sea
.
OF real steamer or has ever peopIed u
liner with a liners characteristic pa
irons. These latter are all TO be seen A.
the National in the flesh. There are the
wearied and contentious mother OF a lit
tie child the young man or athletic
tendencies who takes his constitutional
through all the conversation which
others can begin. the lady passenger.
VI a ~
young English lord with his heart fixed
unehangeably on Rosie Bonds OF tue
Toreador company CRosie being the third .
girl from the end on the right OF the
stage): and, best Of all. Miss Vi Tbomp-
son OF "Beaut Montono.~ character
role as clearly drawn and capably acted
as the modern stage has produced.
So 10 is that with every Iurch OF The
steamer the entry Of every trunk. each ,
step in the lessen in bridge" and
every incident OF the dance with which
the play closes. the audience smiles
broadly and watches as intentIv a. q
listens The dialogue, however. is fully
equal 10 the scheme Of the stage set
ungs. II is not especially epigrammatic
and George Bernard shaw. for example
has written plays which are wirtier
j. /.
ciently spiced with cleverness. and ad-
mirably adapted 70 the deiineation OF :
character.
II has already been noted that the cast
!s adequate Miss Mannering. indeed. ap-
pears 10 more advantage than IN any :
Thing she has ever done before. She Is :
not yet mature actress. But she has :
bow added 10 her wonderful charm OF .
person sincerity, intelligence and force
Df acting. and the combination Is most p,
pleasing Her opposite. Arthur Byron
he Count Carlos Kinsey OF the cast I
acts spiendidly. Here Is an impersona-
ion. the creation OF a new character.
IN enactment which IS sustained. even. =
and consistent. and is filled with the in :
Vulnerable characteristics OF genuine in "
iividuaiity. Miss Amy Ricard as the
product OF civilization as known IL =