Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-27
T q E T HEAT E R.



During the engagement of David Beiaseo.s
latest production in this city, the theater
reverts to earlier conditions; conditions
which bred the giants of dramatic art, both
in composition and in acting. Convention
Hall in its original aspect presented pros
pect little more hopeful than the accom-
modations which confronted the long ago
thespians, whose hardships won them the
sobrfquet Of transformers" This latest
enterprise OF the great producer is barn
storming-but on such a colossal scale
that the epithet loses its Opprobrium and
becomes title of dignity The trans
formation of that most uninviting struc-
ture. Convention Hall, into a temporary
theater was a task which only a man with
Belascos resources at command would
have thought of undertaking.
new play for Mrs. Carter is an event OF
no slight significance Mrs. Carter as
Zaza and Mrs. Carter as Du Barry will
not be cast into forgetfulness by Mrs.
Carter as Adrea. The three characters
Will stand side by side, each as distinct
and impressive type of emotionalism. The
period of this latest product is Roman. 1t
makes unsparing demands upon the physi-
cal and intellectual powers of the players,
suggesting as 1t does in every scene char
acters and events close to the very foun-
tain-head of the worlds poetry and schoi-
arship. 1t would be difficult to apportion
the credit due Mr.. Belasco and Mr.. John
Long III the literary Work OF the
play; as difficult as 1t would be to dissect
with similar purpose the plays of Beaumont
and Fletcher.
1t is an ideal collaboration. But it is rea-
sonable to assume that the same instinct
i've comprehension which enabled Mr.. Long
to reproduce SO convincingly the atmos-
phere of Japan in other works has made 1t
possible to vitaliZe an era which seemed as
deeply buried in the dust Of pedantry as
Pompeii is under the ashes Of Vesuvius.
Vital "Adrea" assuredly 1t; and human and
intense. 1t tells the story of a wOman's
love and scorn; woman whose hatred and
forgiveness struggle so fiercely that both
are vanquished And SO powerful is this
story that all the gorgeousness with which
the lavish hand of Belasco has crowded
the stage. all the pomp of ancient luxury
and all the solemn picturesqueness of SUI
perstitfous rites have not overwhelmed it.
1t stands out as vivid and definite as the
stroke Of lightning which restores the sight
OF Adrea and gives her the right to be
queen. The role assumed by Mrs. Carter is
one Of many contrasts. AS the blind
woman, disqualified to reign by law which
denies the throne to any marked by physi-
cal 1mperfection. she is most pathetic in
her appeal AS the victim of the basest of
lovers, who betrays her into q marriage
with the hideous jester, she moves depths
of sympathy which she has never before
sounded. But it is when, with sight re-
stored she finds revenge complete and ter
rible within her grasp that she most COM
pletely sways the imagination. Thoroughly
imbued with the art of the stage without
it's affectations, she makes every changeful
impulse of hatred and forgiveness splen-
didly human and magnificently feminine
The play has the direct simplicity of a
Greek tragedy without it's harshness
Adreas atonement in the epilogue, when
she surrenders her sight to the glare of the
sun. thereby giving the throne to the son
of her unworthy lover is less a working out
of fate's decree than a sweet and voluntary
gift; testimonial of the immutability Of
woman's affection in the face even of the
vilest treachery.
Apart from it's extraordinary dramatic in
terest. "Adrea" would command admira-
ton as a succession of scenic pictures So
beautiful are some of the settings that the
untenanted stage would for q time content
the eye. And so splendid are the costum-
ings that each character that comes upon
the scene changes the picture and invests
it with renewed interest. Close historic
search is revealed in the mounting of the
drama, and the infinite care for detail that
distinguishes Mr.. Belasco's work has never
been more notably in evidence.
The company is one of distinction. Mr..
Tyrone Power as a barbaric knight errant,
gives a romantic portrayal that rings true
and gratefully recalls a Nirile and graceful
art of some of the most famous interpreters
of old-time heroes Mr.. Charles Stevenson,
as the treacherouS lover, was not in good
voice, and the burden of some of the strong
scenes in which he was concerned fell al
most entirely upon Mrs. Carter. Mr. r. D.
interpreted the very responsible
role of prince of the senate with the cor
rectness and impressiveness to be expected
from an actor of his experience and reputa-
ton. j. Harry Benrimo played the part of
the Jester with fine discretion. He succeed
ed entirely in avoiding sacrifice of the
roles dramatic interest to it's grotesque-
ness. The cast of principals is very nu-
merous one, and there are many conspicu-
Gus instances of individual merit
But there is no moment when the interest
In MIS-. Garter is not the central and ami
mating spirit of the action. She is as much
a revelation in this portrayal of an ideal
though cheated womanhood as she was in
"ZaZa or .'Du Barry"
The audience last night tested the ca
pacity of the auditorium and the demon
STATIONS were most enthusiastic. Mr. Be-
lasco in a curtain speech remarked that he
had heard of the rocky road to Dublin, but
had never before realized the obstacles that
beset the road to Washington. He took oe-
casion to thank by name a number of those
who had contributed to the success of this