The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-04-26
AMUsErIENTs
AudItorlum-Mrs. Carter In "zaza. =

; II
The daring drama with which David
Belasco startled two nations few years
ago. was repeated before Minneapolis au-
d1ences yesterday afternoon and evening,
The revival Of "Zaza'' is marked By no
changes, except in Mrs. Carter's treat
ment Of the character. II she had pre-
sented it in 1898 as she did yesterday, it
Is not at all likely that she would have
scored success. The whirlwind Of her
passion has been subdued. She no longer
kicks her slippers off or filings the clock
from the mantel. but attempts to express
her feelings In a more intellectual way.
Less striking, but more artistic is the
newer Interpretation. While it lacks in
sensation, it compels interest and close
attention, and SO achieves success It is
double success, when won thru such a
medium as 'zaza," and demonstrates the
woman's compelling power
Mrs. Carter has relieved Zaza, of none
| OF her coarseness. The character stands
out unequa1ed In that respect. Living in
| frank violation of human and divine laws,
she calls herself decent" compared to a
past epoch which can only be imagined.
she sincerely wears the air of q taWdry
concert hall star. Yet good women hang
| on her words and weep over her renun-
citation. The art Of the play and the
! player win sympathy for the woman who
4 IS SHINING, as against the wife who is
s1nned against. Therein lies the inherent
immortality Of Zaza, which London re-
fused to tolerate. The entire first act
which Is masterpiece of stage effect
mas for Its purpose an explanation OF
Aaza, and her Justification. The cheap
| companions, the drunken aunt and the
| faIse atmosphere Of the concert hall
! wings are a defense for her, and explain
! her absolute immortality Her awakening
I from that state to one almost sublime in
It's ethical relation is so handled as tt
carry ones sympathy, " lille the wife is
portrayed as an unpleasant, conventional
being, Zaza is surrounded by such a col
lection of cads, jackals and feline women
mat stained as she Is, she shines by com
par1son with a luster almost pure. Ever
she Is thoroly repellant till the scene with
little Toto, which brings the only toucl
OF humanity and genuine moral tone, and
refreshes like cooling draught. That
is spoiled by the scene with the child's
father which follows, and leaves the pla,
without reason for being, from the
stanopo1nt OF true art. 1t Is triumph OF
Mrs. Carriers power to succeed in such {
bizarre and ill-tasting play. Her new In
depreciation shows artistic development
also, since she economies physical effor
and wins the same effect thru repression
The newer Zaza Is less spectacular, bu
just as strong.
|. The supporting company was entirel,
adequate Lizzie Conway as the aunt, il
a worthy successor to Marie Bates. I'm
necessarily broad at times, but always eff
fectlve. Charles A. Stevenson was al
ideal Dufrene, If the word can be apple,
to that character, and Frank H. Wester
ton was a jaunty Cascart. Maria Dayi
was entirely satisfying as the faithful
Nathalie, and little June Pelton won al
hearts by her appearance as Toto. TIL
many small parts were handled with tn
hdel1ty Belasco always demands, and tn
perfection Of detail attained is certain
worth all the effort it COSTS