Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-06
T q E T q E A T E R.
New National Theater.

A double attraction is offered at the New
National Theater this week, with VIM. Fa-
versham as the star and Pinero as the play
wright. Mr.. Pinero is celebrated as pro-
Queer of problem plays" although the def
milton of the phrase problem play is still
as vague and unsatisfying as that of mel
odrama" or musical comedy" This pres
ent play of Lefty" suggests several prob
lens. Ought a young woman employed by
the week to harbor visions of ease and
luxurious surroundings? Ought she to
smoke cigarettes. especially when, as IS
the case with Miss Wilson she handles them
as IL they were likely to bite? Ought a
married man who is separated from his
wife to go walking with young woman?
Ought he TO invite her and her feminine
friends to breakfast in his rooms? Ought
II business man. who employs lady clerks,
to make love to them; ought a wonan's
moral position to be judged by her inten-
ton, whether carried out or not, or only
by her actual faults? Ought playwright
to pick out a gentle and simple natured
photographer, such as Fritz Williams 50
admirably portrays, and require him to
provide refuge for woman after she
has INDUCED In series of very question
able and compromising pranks? In fact,
Lefty" Is full of problems, but most of
them of such rudimentary simplicity that
anybody but a playwright would answer
is something like geometry. What seems
at first glance a self-evident proposition Is
proved by SO elaborate a process of demon.
stration that the entire subject becomes
wrapt in obscurity
Mr.. Pinero himself does not appear to
arrive at any positive conclusions. He Is
content to evolve some entertaining dia-
logue situations that are whimsical with
out being absurd, or pathetic without be-
ing lachrymose, and to present types that
are 50 amusing or interesting that their
truth to nature becomes subordinate con
sideration. The common recipe for play
dealing with the social question is to en-
dow the heroine with sensibilities and
scrupleS which lead to much emotional pro-
test, but which are wholly negative by
deliberately chosen course of conduct.
The play is admirably acted Miss Will
sons Interpretation is characterized by
nervous tension which compels sympathetic
interest, Miss Julie Opp has a character
part which she plays in genuine spirit of
comedy, which was at once a surprise and
a qualification. Mr.. Arthur Playfair as
rich and vulgar person, gave most d.
verting performance. He plays the role in
the broadcast of low comedy lines. and in
spite of this fact succeeds in holding 1t
to its proper place in the interest of the
story
So far as Mr.. Faversham is concerned the
play consists of one act and moral. 1t
is as the debonnair and obliging man of
the world that Mr.. Faversham most pleases,
and 1t is when Letchmere's bettel nature
asserts itself that his really convincing
work Is done. Up to that point the play
makes him rather a crude and common
place roue. In the epilogue or more strict
ly speaking, the moral of the story he is
highly interesting and picturesque as
who derives happiness from
seeing the domestic bliss of people into
whose social circle he had at one time
most ineXcusably intruded
The play is neither cynical nor optimistic;
neither philosophic nor sehtimental; it is
merely another glimpse of the world the
ated by Miss Opp calls it, as seen through
Pinero Spectacles