Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-12
T q E T & E A T E R.
Columbia Theater.

It IL an austere and uncompromisins
stage creation that claims attention AT tne
Columbia Theeter this week. To the stu
dent Of the e11--i.er periods OF English MS
tory and literature its value Is very great
To the casual seeker for diversion livery
man" is likely to prove chilling surprise.
Under different auspices the play might
have exerted a strong religious influence
but the legend Charles Frohman presents
relieves the severity of the occasion by an
applied assurance that, serious as the mo-
rality play may have been in its day, 1t is
now offered only as a literary and MS
toric curiosity, with excellent artistry, the
sanction of scholarship and saving snare
of business Judgment back OF its expioi.
tation. So strong is the religious purport
of the play that it's existence In the haunts
of modern amusement needs all the apology
that art and scholarship can supply. It's
moving and intense scenes last night trans,
lated a large audience of good-natured
and fairly comfortable twentieth century
folk back to the time When men were 80
impressed with the vanity of existence mat
they took small account OF human me
and hanged one another for theft After
seeing "Everyman" and accepting IT as
fair example of the drama prior to Eilza-
beth's era it Is small wonder that one so
much attached TO the joys and graces OF
the world seriously contemplated suppress
ing the theater in favor or bear-baitlng.
They were men of strong wills and over
whelming moods in these days. ana IL they
were to- be moved 1t must be by PLAIN
speech. At the present time when read
ing and writing are common accomplish
ments the bluntness of these pictures Oh
the struggles between death and ms VIC
tim must be a shock. Possibly the shock is
wholesome: but on the other hand stands
the possibility of an appeal to morbid IN
terest
"Eyeryman" considered as literary COM
position is a work of wonderful symmetry
hoo < close and complete
legory. This form of composition requires
an accurate grasp of widely separated
ideas and harmoniZing of them that must
be as clean and perfect as that achieved by
the musician who constructs fugue. The
allegory has been practically abandoned,
for lack. evidently, of the ability amongst
recent writer's to perpetuate it. The inter-
est with which "Everyman' was received
In it's own day and the fascination which
it now yields leave no doubt of the popu-
lar affection for truths thus rivihed The
completeness and certainty with which the
equations of thought are worked out to ac-
curate conclusions betoken an intelligence
developed up to the capability of consider
ing ideal impressions with the same sure
ness of method that numbers enable us to
apply to concrete things "Everyman has
all the force of poetry without the artifice.
The simple series Of pictures illustrating
the call of death, the desertiOn of good fell
lowship and kindred, the futility of riches.
the treachery of Strength, Beauty, Discre-
ton and Five Wits, despite their loyal pro-
tests; all these constitute a tragedy the
more terribly impressive because of the I'M
compromising crudeness with which it is
expressed.
The performance of Miss Matthison, who
plays "Everyman," Is most remarkable and
admirable. The work which she undertakes
is extraordinary and the manner in which
she fulfills the task irreproachable.
New National Theater
OF
greeted Miss Julia Marlowe and her COM
pany of players at the National Theater
last evening 1t was her first appearance
here in a year, and the greeting extended
her attested both to her talents as an act
ress and the popularity of her offering, /
when Knighthood Was in Flower"
Miss Marlowe's natural and acquired gifts
and personality of uncommon charm are
still shown to excellent advantage in the
role of Mary Tudor. Her voice is musical
and is attuned to the most wooing modula-
tons. The historical features of the play
themselves are intensely interesting. deal
Ing as they do with profiigate age and
people of historic note. But the love of
Mary Tudor for Charles Brandon affords
Miss Marlowe ample opportunity for all the
dehghtful caprices, moods and phases of
lovers life. In the role of Mary Tudor Miss
Marlowe has opportunity commensurate
with her powers, strongly aided by the
ample range of womanly character.
Mr.. Tyrone Power, as Charles Brandon,
was an unmistakable favorite from the be-
ginning. He brings to the role a dignfied
affection, coupled with tenderness of feeling
and manly strength. Mr.. Power has been
playing Ulysses" in Stephen Phillips
poetic drama. He fits the role of Charles
Brandon. and shows marked magnetic
personality.
The remainder of the cast is very well
balanced, Mr.. Fred Tyler making a most
acceptable Henry VIII. The play is newly
dressed, and a shifting of the characters
since the company last appeared here shows
to no disadvantage.
The play will be produced tonight and to-
morrow night and Wednesday matinee
'lngomar" will be presented for the re-
mainder of the week