The Washington herald., 1906-10-14

Henry Miller IS one Of the Few Aineri-
can actors who is artistic. well-bred. and
Intellectual without posing as a scholar.
Perhaps were the truth known he spends
rs much time in his library as do certain
professionals VINO enjoy the reputation
Of students, and so impress by superior
air which carries with it the conviction
that mind rules matter Prof. Willis
Moore, whom we all recognize as the
undisputed weather expert Of this coun-
try. informed me last summer that there
is no such thing as matter that both
animate and inanimate objects spring
from a mere molecule. and, in the last
spark Of existence, are again reduced TO
the original speck 1t would be well
were Prof. Moore 10 speak thus 10 some
knowing members Of stageland. The
nothingness OF all life might in some lit
tie help adjust the immensely of the
present.
SIr. Miller has for some years possessed
the distinction Of Offering the public
plays which appealed in other ways rather
than to ones trivial interest Since join
ing the class of actor-manag gers he has
endeavored still more urgently to pre-
sent dramas which. without apparent
effort. would lift the stage from the
slough into which it has fallen In Mar
garet Anglin he has an associate VINO
Is the essence OF wOmanliness and rehne-
ment Surely there could be no better
professional conjunction than that OF
these two popular artists. Miss Angiin
ideals are OF the highest, and she VIII
follow such tenets of faith. though the
whole world be against her, for she is a
Young woman with much StreLgth OF
character and determination which
once aroused brushes by sheer force. Miss
Anglin's superior education and social
training have had much influence upon
her views OF plays and the stage. and the
touch Of the cultured woman is apparent
in her every venture. Although only
Jwenty-seveu years Of age she has made
remarkable progress In her career and
Mr. Miller is extremely fortunate in hav-
ing the cooperation Of a woman OF
such discrimination. Surely Nine. Sarah
Bernhardt did not err in her judgment
when she openly declared Miss Anglin
q wonderfully talented and distinguished
young actress who has the emotional
field in America at her feet.
With two chief eNDOnents Of the best in
native art it was then 10 be expected that
any play in which they jointly appeared
would be worthy Of their talents. In
The Great Divide" Mr.. Miller and Miss
Anglin have furnished the dramatic sur
prise of the season Not in many years
has a play by a native writer caused
such interest, such comment. as does this
drama. Washington applauded 'The
Great Divide and those who have had
the pleasure Of seeing both Mr. Miller
and Miss Angiin in their previous ap-
M.
that they offer the most finished interpre-
ratiOns OF their careers.
The Great Divide" ike Lochinvar,
came out OF the West, and like the dash
ing gallant it came forth boldly prepared
TO triumph New York has surrendered
completely TO the power Of its fascination,
and at the conclusion OF the great second
act of the opening night at the Princess
TheateT the most eXacting critics were
Unstiuted in their praise. Up to the pres
ent time 1.-THE Great Divide" IS the big
gest success of the theatrical season. The
play is original in its theme, which IS
handled in a novel manner. 1t is d mas
terly study of two characters, and IS the
New World offspring of the Old World
masters-Ibsen, MaeteTlinck, and their
=
ing in the extreme. but it is handled with
utmost delicacy of feeling and exquisite
beauty Of thought and expression. The
Jargon mOuthed by the average actor Of
the usual play of the day wrinkles and
shrivels before ones very eyes when the
calcium of Prof. Moodys well-turncd
phrases fall upon IT, Not since 'Therese
Raquin" has there been so exhaustive q
study Of man and woman in the details
Of love and passion. The Great Divide"
does not possess the horror of the former
play, Tor It does not offer the murder Of
q body in the reaching OF love for love.
Instead, STEPHEN attempts the annihila-
lion OF a soul.
Naturally, Mr.. Miller and Miss Anglin
are intensely interested IN so marvellous
and absorbing & study. Both are very
happy over their success in this city.
Certainly no finer acting has been seen
here. The critics declare the acting OF
each to be above criticism.
It is a wonderfully inspiring feeling.
that Of success" remarked Mr.. Miller. at
the conclusion Of one OF the performances
~ The Great Divide" How delightful
10 Is 70 realize that your efforts are meet
ing with the approval OF those for whom
YOU play. Both Miss Anglin and myself
felt absolutely confident OF the New York
verdict of "The Great Divide" because Of
The interest manifested by your audiences
IN Washington. which are extremely crit
.cal and rather difficult to arouse. How
aver, we we're quite prepared to put on
another play at once I'm case Of a New
York failure. for, after all. il is New York
which influences the country at large.
i'raise from the metropolis will not make
2 play a success elsewhere. but it will
IN.
ance which otherwise would escape their
observation. and vice versa It is a mistake
Tor an actor to say that he does not care
about criticism. He values Il highly pro-
Vided lt is honest. Frank expression Of
opinion by q scholarly mind must always
ind an appreciative reader. 1 personally
read carefully what IS said Of my work,
and very often profit by the originality of
the other man, provided he be a man at
least nv equal in experience and intellect.
il Is only the outpourings Of an inferior
brain that actors Of good balance should
disdain.'
Mr.. Miller's manner Of speaking needs |
no further proof OF his good breeding and
Well-Jr4ined mind His tone is quiet, but /
convincing. At rehearsals he is entirely /
different. lie understands what he |
needs, and gets IL without delay, for he /
is 4 strict disciplinarian, but he is not /
more 50 with others than with himself
in speaking Of the play, he said: 7 |
had never heard OF The Great Divide I
until Miss Anglin. who was in Chicago. |
,clegTaphed me for permission to give it |
% trial She was unusually impressed By |
Il, and since / possess implicit faith in /
her judgment, 7 wired her to co what /
sne liked. The drama created a sensation |
in Chicago. where II was nr0duced ILndar