The Washington times., 1905-08-29
New Hall Caine Play
Launched at National.
ENCE Is BRILLIANT
Drama Strong and Mounting Sumptu-
Gus, But Plot Lacks Unity
and Compactness.

at the NatiOnal Ineater last nlgnt 1ne
actors assembled by Liebler & Co. for
this production, the drama itself. rather
a wide interest in the playwrights novel
of the same name, and handsome new
decorations for the playhouse, all con-
tributed to make the event noteworthy.
In its attitude of peasant anticipa-
ton, the same audience might have
given a complacent Endorsement TO al
most any acceptable play. and it is
pleasant to note, therefore, that yes
terday evening IL greeted this new
work with general enthusiasm and fol-
lowed its development with unusual in
tensity.
A new setting of subdued greens and
a new drop curtain emphasized the bril-
liancy OF the audience. for In spite or
the season the play drew to the New
National an assembly that was both
noteworthy and picturesque. In the
boxes and nearby were Admiral Dewey
and a party, Assistant Secretary OF
State Frank B. Loomis and party.
Mrs. James D. McCallum and party,
Judge Hannis Taylor and party, VIII
liar, B. Hibbs and party. Nearly every
large newspaper in the United states
was represented by its Washington cor
respondent There were. of course. the
invariable irst-nighters. And a hne
touch of color was contributed by the
uniforms Of a score or more OF MO
dies" from the Naval Academy at An
napolis. The author. who had intended
to be present. was dissuaded at the last
moment from crossing the Atlantic by
the company which Is to produce the
play in London next Saturday night a
company which is headed by George
Alexander. and includes the daughter
of the playwright.
Many Diversified Elements.
The play is susceptible of several
classification. For two acts 1t moves on
the plan of a fine modern tragedy. For
two acts more IT suggests an ;nterweav-
ing of ,'Sappho.' and rip Van Wrinkle"
IL is as splendidly mounted as a Drury
Lane spectacle, and acted, on the whole
with the methods OF the best modern
comedies In substance. II is the story
of JazebeI combined with that of Jacob
and Esau,
Yet the production bids fair to be as
great a success. and worthily SO, as
the same authors THE Christian" The
intensity of its story. the CROWN OF ls
thrilling climaxes. chiefly through very
familiar courses, and the skill with
which it is acted fuse all these elements
the rivalry of sisters, the combat of
rugged strength against artistic self-in-
dulgence. Iceland and Monte Carlo. no
BILE speech and the loose tongue of the
strumpet-into coherent. though hard.
1y a compact, art product.
From Iceland to Monte Carlo.
Two brothers and two sisters, children
Of old friends, are reared together IN
Iceland. The one Of the two men sacri
<t-z - 81
men because he discovers on the day of
their betrothal that her heart has been
touched by love for his brother. The
lovers are married, journey through Eu-
rope, take with them the younger sis
ter Of the bride and return to Iceland
estranged in affection, though not in
bearing. by the husbands attention to
his sister-in-iaw.
A forged note, executed that the last
named might gamble, comes 10 light.
The disclosure kills the young wife and
leaves in her stead baby daughter.
The husband is exiled by his father. and
with his favored companion seeks out
Monte Carlo. There he ruins himself
gambling, earns rank and fortune
composer. returns to Iceland to find his
old home under the auctioneer's ham,
mer, and at the end slips away from II
In the night. leaving behind HIM to
clear awav the wreckage of his course
money. TO saye the Iceland home and
does
even know his face.
Too Many Good Situations.
How bountifully such a story yields
situations is manifest. There are, In
deed. too many for arts sake. Every
turn of the actors head portends
thrill. The mind Is bewildered, after
the second act. beyond the appreciation
OF any simple story. and this effect is
intensified by wealth or costumes and
a general disturbance of the histrionic
air which defect the mind from the
ceasae.ers ce s 70 sort OF panoramic view
VIII, or course. be obviated. The last
two acts Will be shortened especiaIiv
the third and the succeeding perform
ances of this week will enable the com
pany TO get the needful dramatic ef-
fects without stirring up the minds OF
the auditors with a stick.
There Is al.o q confusion of themes
The play. breaks in the middle between
a wonderfully strong and impressive
love story and a melodramatic treats
on the evils OF gambling. II the curtain
were TO stay down after the second act.
the play would rank Mr.. Caine with the
best of modern dramatists. But II comes
UP. and the scenes which follow affect
the auditor like an Grafton with an
antf-climax.
A Fine Company.
The acting was admirable Marie
wainwright, j. L. Dodson. w. H.
Thompson. Ida Waterman. and half a
dozen others present cameo-Ike charac-
ter representations. They afford marked
pleasure every moment they are in the
picture. They seem TO be. indeed a
dramatic extravaganza. They might do
30 much and they have so little to do.
Edward Morgan, Charlotte Walker,
Drina De Wolfe, and Aubrey Bouci-
cault act the principal roles. In a pro-
gressive ratio they were all nervous
last night. Yet Mr.. Morgan easily
eQualed his best earlier enactment in
this city; Miss Walker disclosed an
ability which must have surprised even
her friends: Miss De Wolfe filed the
requirements of q large part with ad-
vantage to the play, and Mr.. Bouci-
cault created altogether the illusion OF
the character limned by the playwright
In the music-loving, vaciIlating, sand
less younger brother. An four were
warmly greeted. especially Miss Walker.
and the particular triumph of this
young woman gave manifest satisfac-
ton to the whole audience.
Last nights auditors extended TO
The Prodigal Son" their hearty In
dorsement. With each succeeding per-
formance. the play Will grow more and
more to deserve that Endorsement II
has. indeed, all the requirements Of pop
ular success-tense interest. strong