The Washington herald., 1906-12-16

peror Diocletian. Marco Is Christian
she is a pagan, who hates the Christians
as much as her father. Marco has had
quarrel with his former friend Carvl-
nus. whom he has Outdone in the sports
Carnivus loves Artemis. and be;Tays
Marco to the princess. After an exquis-
tie love scene in a nloonlit garden. inter
rnpted by CarvinUs. she summons Mar
CO. the captain Of her guard, to give the
lie to his former friend. Marco declines
70 recant his Christianity and in a At Of
rage the princess sends him 10 the dun
geon 10 share the fate OF his brothers in
the faith
100 late she repents, and tries 10 liber-
ATE him. She pleads before DiOcletian.
ana the Emperor is persuaded TO bring
Marco before him. The conditions are
that he must renounce his faith and
Artemis must give up Marco. The young
Christian appears. but as he Elories in his
religion, ihe infuTiated DiOcletisn has him
dragged before statue Of Juplter and
forced on his knees by two brawnv
guardsmen 10 pay homage 70 the pagan
goo. At that moment a terrific thunder
clap shakes the palace. The statue OF
Jupiter Is leveied with the ground. and
in the black background appears a large
cross OF incandescent brightness and
color.
This miracle Notwithstanding. Marco is
condemned 70 be sent into the arena 70
make a Roman holiday. and when We see
him last 1t is as he is led out between
two centurions ATtemis is waiting 70 bid
farewell TO her lover. and is converted 10
his faith.
Treated with the requisite development
Of dramatic interest. THE Light EternaI''
would prove a great asset. But we are
asked 70 take too many things for
granted; cause and effect follow too
closely upon each others heels. Incl
dents are too familiar from long use, and
the action moves too persistently along
the lines OF least resistance. The spec
tacular effects are startling. the Ian
guage in which the lovers WOO Is rich
music TO the ear. and the lightning Of
the superb Roman garden translates US
for the time 10 another world. The pity
is that the essential dramatic yitaliues
are slighted. The cast is excellent.
Edythe Chapman scared in the role OF
Artemis, and showed herself a superior
actress. Edward Mackay was excellent
as Marco In the part Of Diocletian ap-
peared Sheridan Block. and in that OF
Carvinus, Malcolm Williams, Mabel Bert
playing Luciano, mother Of Marco.
Enthusiasm is fairly bubbling in the
bosoms OF all the members of the new
Opera Comique Company which is 10 play
The Rose Of the AIhambra" in Washing
ton this season Although the Charles
Emerson Cook opera was well done last
season, it has been strengthened IN many
particulars this year. as an organization
OF the very first order Of vOcalists and
comedians. Louis Casavant. Henry Nor
man. Owen Westford, Eddie Heron Ley
Vernon, Agnes Cain Brown. Lillian Hus-
don. and Greta Risley are names TO com
mand attention. The Opera Comique Com
pany is intended as a permanent organi-
zation. Its aim viii be to pOpularize
operas OF the better class. Mr. Cook is
especially enthusiastic over little Agnes
Cain Brown. who has the prima donna
role.
Alice Knowlton. who has made a hit in
The Belle Of Mayfair" in which she
sings a solo. My I4adys Bower" at the
orening Of the second act. is a relative OF
Mrs. Frank Mullan of Washington. This
Is her first prominent step from the ranks.
and she IS sure 10 remain a Broadway
feature by reason Of her attractive per-
sOnality and artistic cleyerness.
FRED. F. SCHRADER