Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-02
THE THEATER.
New National Theater.

| 1t is seldom that so gorgeous production
| Is seen, even in a performance whose pur-
| pose is definitely and exclusively spectac-
| ular as that Of "Cymbelne," which pre-
| sents that favorite actress Viola Allen In
| the role Of 'Imogen." The character is one
whose destinations are felt by every legtti-
mate actress. Its charm Is as potent as 1t
| Is mysterious, for at best 1t is scant IN OPP
portunities to dominate and thrill. But 1t Is
a lovable and beautiful portraiture Of what
is best in feminine nature, and the desire to
interpret 1t is an evidence Of the ambition
that every true artist feels to give the pub
lie as much that is noble and inspiring as 1t
is willing to accept. Yet In order to en-
phasize the beauty of the. character back
ground of plot has been woven which Is FAR
from wholesome In Its interest The wager
which lays the foundation for the story Is
az improbable as 1t is offensive to taste.
The play has been SO long identified with
commanded a place in public esteem by
sheer force of association. But students
have not hesitated to point out its defects
nor to question its right to rank as one OF
Shakespeares representative works. De-
spite critical controversy, its destinations
for star and producer remain.
Last night the audience fairly reveled IN
stage pictures, representing the ancient
Britons amid their crude architectural sur
roundings, yet in dress and living touched
by the spirit of Roman luxury. Even the
drop used between scenes was q creation OF
surprising beauty, the light effect and the
perspective being as unconventional as 1t
was attractive. The eye not only OF the
artist but of the archaeologist must I'M
in the representation of the places near
"Cymbeline's" palace and of the palace
itself. The stage setting which showed the
sea coast near Milford was marvel OF
broad landscape effects combined with del
icacy Of color and detail. This representa-
ton is production in the most liberal
and modern sense Of the word. AS series
of beautiful pitcures alone 1t would be well
worth an evenings attention.
The rich, even melody Of Miss Aliens
voice, which pursues its gentle cadences un-
alike through moments of passion
or repose. Is heard with grateful erect IN
the lines which fall to 'Tmogen," True
there Is no speech tn the play which rings
in the memory like the one beginning "She
never told her love- which falls with such
heart-reaching pathos from the lips or
opulent in the gentle land appealing dis
course such as seems to come so naturally
from Miss Allen. The progress of the play
revealed great deal Of excellent acting.
Mr.. ]. II. Gilmour has the unsympathetlc
role of "Iachimo," a part which naturally
lacks the favor Of the audience to such a
degree that good acting can scarcely re-
deem it. His Iachimo' Is villain OF the
well-fed, comfortable type, free from the
usual rasp which stage wickedness anects
and perhaps the more plausible on that ac-
count. Mr.. Sidney Herbert had the wholly
thankless part Of "Cloten," which presents
the sole hint Of comedy to which the spec
tator can turn for relief in the entire play.
And this comedy is of necessity more or
less artificial since it is but scarcely and
occasionally suggested in the lines. Mr..
Sidney Herbert played 1t in something the
spirit of a Malvolio, and gave the compe-
tent performance that is always expected
Of him. Mr.. Fuller Mellish did excellent
work as "Pisano." The cast is not entirely
free from the crudities which seem lnevita-
BILE in a legitimate production of the mag
nitude, but the company must nevertheless
be accorded rank as one Of exceptional
competency.