Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-24
T d E T q E A T E R.
Belasco Theater.

Under circumstances distinctly auspi-
cious, the Beasco Theater was opened last
night with Miss Blanche Bates in DAVID
Belascos newest play, The Girl or the
Golden West" The inaugural OF this play
house was one of the most brilliant events
in local theatrical history. There was
strong combination for a successful open
ing presenting an author whose productions
have hitherto been hailed here with de-
light a star already established most fav-
orably in the estimation of local playgoers,
and a large audience. quite representative
of the national capital that evidenced a
disposition to bestow hearty commentator
upon any worthy thing that might be pre-
scented. The piece caught the interest ana
favor of the audience from the first, ana
at the close of the second act Mr.. Belasco
and Miss Bates were given an ovation such
as Is seldom accorded by Washington audi
ences. 1t was not one of those sporadic
outbursts from the gallery gods alone, but
the applause came from every part of the
house: pit, balcony and gallery vying with
each other In enthusiastic demonstration.
Large floral pieces were sent across the
footlights for both the author and the star,
and the affair indeed took on an air OF
welcome to our beautiful city" when
floral horseshoe for good luck was handed
over to Mr.. Belasco. In a brief speech in
which earnestness carried with 1t convfc-
tion of sincerity, Mr.. BelascO expressed mis-
own and the players gratitude for the
demonstration and declared his happiness
in having finally secured a theater in
Washington. city endeared to him by
many pleasant memories.
THE Girl of the Golden West presents
a number of striking novelties. 1t is at
least novel that the heroine of the piece
is the keeper of saloon and the hero a
road agent. an outlaw, while the dominant
male character is a gambler embodying
both vice and virtue. The other figures in
the piece men of uncouth manners and
nd at n
handle such bold theme as not to offend
the sensibilities of intelligent auditors re-
quires skill and cleverness in both author
and players greater than the audacity of
the undertaking. That this is done was
attested by the favorable Judgment passed
upon the play last evening.
There are many strong lines In the play
and thrilling dramatic scenes and incidents
compelling most intense interest and sus-
pense. The climax of the play is at the
close of the second act when The Girl and
Jack Rance play desperate game of poker
for possession of the road agent, whom
Rance has found in the girls mountain
cabin.
1t is difficult to describe the suspense
produced by this scene, which is only re-
lieved when the girl, in her desperation
to save her lover, pretends to faint and
while Rance is getting a restorative she
slips three aces from her stocking and
wins Even the cheating, to which Rance
would not resort is forgiven in the girl.
The scene In the academy" might be
questioned as approaching the burlesque
and scarcely up to the dignity Of the
piece, yet 1t serves to relieve the strain
created by previous and subsequent Incl
dents.
Miss Bates has probably never been
seen here in role dema nding so wide a
range of expression and the creditable
manner in which she acquitted herself
verifies the promise given by her former
efforts. The Girl has been brought up
participant in the rough scenes and in
cidents of mining camp, yet proudly
clinging to the honor of being the only
decent woman in the camp" and loved
and respected by all the men.
The role of Jack Rance, the gambler
and sheriff, played by Mr. Frank Kee-
nan, Is one of fascinating interest. In
him are found the nervy gambler, the
selfish bully, the implacable enemy and
the generosity of a rough character. Mr..
Robert Hillard. as the road agent lover
of The Girl" is aptly cast. and his work,
especially in his strong scenes. showed
his capabilities. Excellent character de-
lineation was also displayed by John w.
Cope as Sonora Slim, and Thomas J. Nc
Crane as Nick, the bartender. ]. II. Ben
rimo as a half-civiliZed Indian was an
other actor deserving of especial COM
mendation
The. scenery is beautiful and pictur-
esque, while the effects are both realistic
and striking.