The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-10-20
Historical Romance of Louis
XIV Admirably Performed
at the National-MTS. Leslie
Carter'S Marked Success.
An InVestiture Remarkable
for SplendoT and Taste.
A Fine View of a Wonder
fulAge-Theater Crowded.

A series Of dramatic. highly colored
scenes from the most unhappy epoch in
the history of France; a performance
before this background of events which
outlined the life of a great French per-
sonage. albeit a courtezan and a woman
without a name an audience of extraordi-
nary size listening and watching spell
bound. entirely unconscious of the long
hours which passed between the first
scene and the last-this is an outline of
yesterdays presentation of David Belas-
cos play. ''Du Barry" at the National
Theater.
From all these points of view the per-
Torrance was notable. The period chosen
is one OF the most brilliant and easily
the most theatrical in all the history Of
France: and the scenes of last night
descriptive of that life were marked
both by extraordinary splendor and rare
taste. The performance made use of
one OF the largest companies ever seen
here In such an enterprise, yet com
pany OF consistent strength and skill.
The chief character, the independent
young mistress of Louis XIV. was por-
trayed with vivid force and much art
And the auditory thus brought together
paid producer and star the fine compii-
ment of close attention. manifest appre-
citation and intense absorption.
A Drama of History.
The history of no other people than
the French provides so many figures
like that with whom this drama deals
France has seemed chosen TO grow more
and more sumptuous to the senses and
bleak TO the heart as she grew further
and further away from the wisdom of
-, Of -
magne Her people found themselves.
reign after reign. in the hands of selfish,
Incompetent. indulgent Kings. This was
true while Louis XIII ruled. truer still
when his son succeeded him, and
even more true when the latter's great
grandson. Louis XIV. became a King at
five years.
The cloud of rebellion which had been
gathering through many scores OF years
seemed likely to burst before Louis
XIV died. 1t is sign Of the theatrical
possibilities in the life of Du Barry that
the storm broke forth while she
lived, that the excuses Of her in
duIgence fred the torch Of just indigna-
ton. and that the wild fury OF her own
class in her own time arrested by revo-
luton the evils which she had helped
to foster.
To avail himself Of these opportuni-
Ties has evidently been Mr. Belasco' S
task. He has accomplished 1t; but he has
done nothing more. His drama pro-
vides chiefly a sequence of striking pos
lures which, without an elaborate in
vestiture. must disturb by lack of con
nection, and without vivid enactment
must create the impression OF extreme
improbability.
His chief character is introduced Sh,
charms the young King; she Is mistrust
ed and disgraced and she is publicly
guilIotined by the French reyolu
tionists. This is neither new nor valu
able
Investiture and Acting Alike Fine.
With the disclosure Of the first scene
however. the story assumes Significance
the settings and costumes are so won
derfully rich Indeed. It is much TO b.
doubted II the student can anywher'
else obtain fine a view OF the bril-
liancv and degradation which were 81
exclusively characteristic of the age
There are millinery shop and a view
Of Versailles, a gambling house and
ro--al fete, retreat in the wood. ant
a street at the time OF the Revolution
The costumes are bright and elegant
rich curtains hang everywhere. leave
fall from the trees. and in the last seen
vi al III hliuONS OF l0uE-ELOlE mousse
are throngCd with persons so grade
in size as 10 give the erect OF per
spcctlve
Yet the acting is not less notable
There are no weak spots Six Of tn
cast have conspicuous ability-Charle
a Stevenson. who acts the King: Camp
bell Collar. the brcthcr-in-law OF d
Barry: Herbert Millward. the captain O
the Kings guard: Charles A AIillward
the beloved Of Du Barry and known a
"Cosse:" H. r. Roberts. the Due d
Richelieu; and Claude Gillingwater. VIII
presents Sympathetic and convincin
picture Of the faithful Denys. who serve
Du Barry with the patience Of DUN
animal
Student or Genius.
The star is Mrs. Leslie Carter. a We
man distinctly lacking in personal Low,
illness and professional experience. He
characteristic. deep red hair. and he
unusual voice became somewhat farni
far TO Washington when she appeare
here several years ago In Miss He
yet" and The Heart Of Maryland
poor plays both. and when. two yeai
ago, "Du Barry was given its fir.
performance.
Her rise has been as rapid as that
Mrs. Campbell Today she is unquei
tionably a favorite actress with II
great body Of American theatergoer
She has. ike Eleanora Duse. a convin,
Ing faculty for expressing sentlmer
with all the emphasis needed from n
stage. and then naturalizing IL or r,
deeming IL by a gesture SO informal an
unexpected as 10 create almost the nll
sion OF life itself.
A persistent doubt suggests itseI
however. while the play progresses q
TO whether her acting is IN reality n
seal OF a sensitive temperament and a
artistic perception or merely the lesso
taught apt pupil by a taJente
teacher. The weight OF expert Ftudl
ment must be on the side OF tho latte
view; but the people who saw I'D
Barry last night were surely OF n
contrary opinion. In any event Mr.
Carter has improVed MnnderfullN sinl