The Washington times., 1904-04-26
First Presentation of Decour-
celle's "Olympe" at New
National BoStonianS in
The Serenade" at Co
lumbia.
Vaudeville at Chase -Eu-
genie Blair in Crust of
Society" at the Lafayette.
Herne'S Hearts of Oak
at Academy.

Amelia Bingham opened a weeks en-
gagement at the New National Theater
last night. with Pierre Decourcelle's
drama Olympic" suggested by Alex
ander Dumas novel of that name In
all essentials it differs from those plays
which Mrs. Bingham has presented here
In former seasons. and IL affords her
the opportunity to demonstrate the YER
satility of her dramatic talent.
The story of the play is that of an
actress who. because of her beauty. is
thought by the intriguers of the court
of Louis XIV to be the proper person 10
supplant the Marquise de Pompadour in
that monarch's favor just about the
time when overtures to that end are
to be made 10 her she becomes &C
uuainted with Jacques Bannieres,
young Jesuit novice deeply In love with
her and who has written to her anony-
mously confessing his passion. The
young mans ambition runs more in the
direction of the stage than Of the clois-
ter, and on the night when Olympic Is TO
make her debut in one of Racine's plays
he has concealed himself in the green
room of the theater. At the last mo-
ment it is discovered that Champmesle,
the actor cast for the leading part. has
disappeared. While all are in despair
Jacques reveals his presence and offers
TO play the part which he has learned
by heart in stolen moments in the
cloister. He makes a great success and
is accepted into the good graces OF
Olympic, who about this time is deserted
by Count de Mailly. her lover.
Approaching the Climax.
= Jacques theatrical escapade has com
PEELED him 10 leave the cloister. While
he is in Olympe's apartment soldiers
come to arrest him. With her assistance
he makes his escape and is later Joined
by her in his garnet in Lyons. She has
obtained for him commission as
dragon, and his acceptance frees him
from his obligation 10 the church. While
he is with his regiment the intriguers.
intent upon separating him and. Olympic.
persuade him that she has been unfaith-
ful TO him. He hastens 10 her residence
in Paris. and accuses her. but is con-
WINGED that she has been maligned- Just
before his arrival the Chevalier dHoirac
has almost persuaded Olympic to become
the mistress OF the King. but assured
of Jacques loVe and entreated by him
10 become his wife. she agrees 10 fee
with him. Meanwhile the Count de
MaiIly. in whose regiment Jacques had
served, and who is convinced that the
young man is not cut out for soldier,
writes out an indefinite leave of abb
sence which he confides to Champmesle
who has become a Jesuit-with direc-
tions TO deliver it. D'Hoirac comes IN
just in time 10 see this paper given to
the priest and demands il from him.
Champmesle refuses 10 give 1t up. In
trigue follows intrigue. and finally
Jacques. convinced that Olympic has
trihed with his affections, surrenders as
a deserter and Is led out 10 be shot just
as Olympic arrives. Seeing her beloved
shot she stabs herself.
Mrs. Bingham's Success.
II will be seen that a plot such as
this is full OF great dramatic POSSIBLE
ties. but the author has hardly availed
himself OF them as fully as he might
have done. The play is rather loosely
constructed; there Is too frequently a
disregard Of logical situations. and
while, Of course. 6lle account must be
taken OF time and circumstance. CT the
action, the spectator sees The final cur
tain fall with sense shat he mas Wit
messed something that might have been
excellent but falls just shoot OF It.
Whatever these shortcomings, however.
Mrs Bingham and her company are
doing the very best they can with the
material in hand Mrs. Bingham gives
strong and sympathetic impersona-
ton Of the loving and lovable woman
The part affords fun opportunity for
touching all the strings Of human Joy
and sorrow. and Mrs Bingham deserves
great praise for keeping within the
bounds OF dramatic prOpriety through
out. Henry Woodruff. as Jacques Ban
nieres. may be said TO meet all reason
able expectations. though he was more
satisfactory in scenes which did not
cali for the expression OF the more in
tense phases Of the character. J. II.
Cfilmour In the part Of Champmesie
was one OF the most delightful hgures
OF the play, and Creston Clarke gave a
thoroughly consistent impersonation Of
tn interruptions intHguer D HOirac
The other parts were filled acceptably-
The staging and costUmtng are on the
highest scale OF sumptuousness, ana
merely add 10 the enviable reputation
which Mrs. Bingham has made for her
self in this regard. -. l. >
NHEfTAA