Evening star., 1905-08-29
T q E THE A T ER.
Nov National Theater.


The players who, after long absence. re-
turned to this city found sincere welcome
awaiting them at the New National Theater
last night. 1t Is wonderful company that
Liebler & Co. present in Hall Caine's latest
dramatic effort, THE Prodigal Son. It ID
not a cluster Of stars nor constellation,
but veritable milky way. Applause, whose
genuine enthusiasm commanded forgiveness
for the interruption, greeted each Of many
players as they set foot one after the other
on the stage where great things were
awaited. There was e. J. Morgan, intense
yet the embodiment Of repose, the ideal
picture Of devotion and self-sacriflce. Con-
trasted to him was Aubrey Boucicault'
graceful, Quick-stepping and mettlesome, as
becomes the descendent from mettlesome
stock. Mr.. Boucicault's role was that of a
youth whose generous impulses were strong
but not strong enough to guide and govern
character essentially dependent and
pleasure loving. Some OF the scenes are
stirring, and as convincing as an actor 8
Individual endeavor could make them. The
episodes in which Mr.. Morgan and Mr:
Boucicault both figured were presented
with so much sincerity and artistic erect
that the artificiality of method by which
the dramatist reached them was over
looked. w. H. Thompson. one OF the actors
who have earned greatness without the as,
sistance Of exaggerated display type, ana
]. e. Dodson, who has likewise made his
name familiar to admirers of good acting,
with but little help from the manager4a.
megaphone, were seen as the two proud oio
friends whose pride and friendship are
broken by fate's crossing Of purposes IN
the lives Of their children.
Mr.. Thompson. although garlshly deco
rated In a uniform which had nothing 20
do with the plot, was magnlllcently I'M
pressiye in the banishment of his son from
home and country. Mr.. Dodson's perform,
ance rang true in it's every movement anu
his personality more than that OF any otner
man on the stage suggested the atmospneie 9
of the remote country In which these
strange characters are supposed 10 De ue-
veIoped Miss Drina De Wolfe was the
Circe of the situation, and with scaleely ~
the opportunities which the Importance OF
her role demanded revealed dramatic pow
er. Miss Marie Wainwright recltes num-
ber of cynical epigrams with tempefahsl 81 :.
tai sprightliness despite the M iaca s1noer ,nn s"'
It was only natural that MISS Cnarto'.e
Walker, after her highly efficient record IN
this city, should be greeted with nearly en-
thusiasm. Her part IN the pay ,ss rs uhose nose
trusting sincerity is powerless to hold nel ne
husbands love. She played 1t with IN
tellIgence and discretion.
And the minor characters were performed
with no less creditab1e skill. Every mem
her of this remarkable organization seemed
to be exhausting all the nervous energy
that his nature could command III otoer "
carry into the audience lnnermost syn
pathies the speeches and incidents Whlch
the authors memory and imagination hase
heterogeneousy assembled. The play as
placed on view last night, did not convey
the impression of symmetry and compie-
ton. The frank candid melodrama whlch
distinguished 1.-The Christian" is striVen
for. but not attained. The interest Is d.
yided among many characters, and In the
midst of their contention for supremacy IN
interest the scenery overwhelms them
The characters drawn by Mr.. Game IN TINS
play are neither ideal types, nor honestiy
human pictures The men are not strong
and consistent men and the women are
neither triumphant temptreSSes nor aValIlng
influences for good
There was no yearning vacuity In litera-
ture for this play. 1t tells no better story
of two houses confounded by the love al
fairs of their children than Romeo and
Juliet" it but family reflects the intense
pathos of the scriptural stories OF brother
against brother; nor does its warning OF the
blight which an unscrupulous woman's IN
fuence may cause overshadoW the slmple'
direct tragedy of Carmen
AS play THE Prodigal Son. does not in
its present stage Of development call Tor
elaborate critical analysis. 1t needs revision
and expurgation. Some of its dialogue Is
recklessly profane and some of the incl
dents are intolerably gross in their physlcal
suggestion.
The conclusion last night was so vague
and confused that it is impossible to accept
il as representing the actual intentions OF
the author or stage manager The play Is
staged with great magnificence, and II the
display of studied technique by brilliant
cast of players with a scenic environment Of
the highest craftsmanship can ever suffice
unaided 10 carry performance 10 success
1t should do SO in this case.