Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-18
THE THEATER.
New National Theater.

new play on original lines was present
ed for the first time in ''On Parole at the
New National Theater. 1t is wal. drama,
yet gunpowder is but sparingly exploded,
and there are many flashes Of repartee
which at times give it almost the atmos-
phere of a society comedy. 1t Is true that
the author, Mr.. Lewis Evan Shipman, mas
utilized two characters who have become
very familiar to the American theater,
the southern heroine and the northern SOL
der, who, by the perversity of human rate
that makes dramas possible, fall in love
with each other. 1t is the old struggle be-
tween love and patriotism, with love con-
quering in the end, after the dramatist has
considerably and ingeniously removed the
distractions which at first seemed unsur-
mountabfe. But the treatment is sprightiy
and unhackneyed. Mr.. Shimpan's play fs
an intelligent and unbiased study of social
conditions during the civil war. 1t Is writ
ten from a strictly modern viewpoint. II,
is good to see that such play can be pro-
duced without risk of giving serious Of
Tense. 1t is for the newer generation, VINO
regard sectional antipathies as episodes OF
the past, important only as history.
The characters are faithfully drawn SO
far as their speeches and costuming are
concerned, though slightly exaggerated by
the performers in some instances. The re-
lations of the master and the colored man
who has been a slave are depicted with q
simple pathos in the first act that constl-
tutes a wholesome relief from rabid ana
sensational spirit in which the topic Is
usually handled.
The relations between Tom Grass as play
ed by Mr.. Francis Conway, and Sam, as i'm
personated by Mr.. Thomas Jackson, give at
the outset of the play an assurance that the
social conditions of the time have been
carefully studied by the author and their
more picturesque phases developed with
great artistic discretion. 1t is this PICTORIAL
nIIa hiYp eXcpDtlOnal
in the handling of dialogue that gives the
performance its principal charm. Inc in'
ability of the southern girl, Constance
Pinckney to comprehend how the hero, a
Virginian, could bring himself to take up
arms with the north is conveyed with sim
Pile sincerity by Miss Charlotte Walker. The
audience greeted with hearty applause her
expressions of loyalty, but was no less ready
with its appreciation when the dashing
union soldier, impersonated by Mr.. vincent
Serrano declared himself man VINO mas
cared more for his country than Tor MS
state The sentiment of the play rings
true from beginning to end. and its manner
of expression is always vivaclous without
sacrifice of natural quality
Lovers of the thrill which previous ex-
ploitations of the war drama have sought
so abundantly to create may grow a little
fretful in the artistic quietitude OF On "a
role" The mechanism of Its plot develops
but few tricks and surprises. mere are
escapes and counterplots, but they are an
ticipated in the earlier scenes Of the play
and are always subordinate to what the
technicians of the drama are pleased u
term heart interest. -
Much interest centers in the performance
of Miss Charlotte Walker. In each of her
appearances in this city this young woman
has revealed certain traits OF personal
charm, which proved thoroughly attractive
She is a peculiar type, one whose descrlp.
ton demands almost a contradiction OF
terms She is an emotional ingenue, and
agreeable both in her moments of emotion
;lism and righteousness Mr.. Serrano looks
the part of an officer and a gentleman He
was. last night quite convincing. except, per-
haps in some of the more intense love
scenes whose moods are more exalted and
'.Romeo-esa than the average actor OF
modern roles couid reasonably be expected
to find Immediately congenial Good char
acter delneations are introduced, though
not with such lavishness as to disturb the
auditors interest in the central roles.
ION Parole may prove something OF
relief from the conventional struggle for
c:imaxes and sensational points. The cpl
sodes on which the curtain descendS In each
act command notice by their very quietude.
The audience last night was obviously one
Of friendly predisposition. yet there Is no
doubt that ION Parole" can command lib
eral share of laughter and applause on its
merits, independently of the abundant we'll
wishing so agreeaby manifested yesterday
evening.