Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-24
THE THEATE Err.
New National Theater.

Despite the fact that Mr.. Otis Skinner
Is one of the most popular actors, In the
strict sense of the phrase, before fhe
American people, one whose natural ntness
for the portrayal of romantic roles Is great
and distinguishing, he has always had
strong prediction for the more scholarly
aspect of the drama. He has long since
lost his enthusiasm for the more superficial
heroism with which the popular playwright
is content to punish vice and reward virtue,
and even the Interpretation of the finer
poetic beauties of dramatic literature no
longer suffice for his ambitions. The
psychology OF the French poets has es-
pecially attracted him Of late and the
latest play in which he appears, fne
Duel Is i soul study of tremendous in-
terest. 1t is titanic battle of philoso-
pliers that goes on before the spectators
rfveted gaze. The characters are not mere
ly individuals racked in the throes of per-
sonal experience. They are types ana
personifications. The priest portrayed by
Mr. Skinner represents clearly and with ex-
allied beauty the religious instinct of mans
nature. The physician portrayed by Mr..
Guy Standing with all his accustomed
grace ana discretion is the incarnation OF
purely materialistic science. In the ordf-
nary play this character would be vulgar
and commonplace villain whose machina-
tions keep the plot in motion. But here
he is high intellectual type, arguing
which he has selected IN working out his
scheme of existence
1t is the old story of a. woman and two
men. But 1t is told from the viewpoint of
the thinker and not from that of the mere
literary gossip whose pictures of social
complications have deluged the stage with
so-called problem plays. The woman whose
character typifies sensitive refinement in a
constant struggle between natural impulse
and high ideals of conscience, is well played
by Miss Fay Davis, and Mr.. Edwin Plymp-
ton is no less effective in presenting as
background to the study of impulse an emo
ton, picture of the dignfied serenity
which comes when the battles of sense have
been fought through to honorable victory.
Each of these characters, or rather these
types are finely and accurately analyed.
The motives are clear and consistent and
the dramatic intensity which develops
from scene to scene is normal growth
and not merely an artificial creation. 1t is
bold play, but its holiness is entirely dis
tinct from and superior to the vulgar au-
dacity by which theatric sensations are so
frequently attempted.
1t is seldom that play is more ably rep
resented than was The DUEL last night.
Mr.. SINNERS felicity in interpreting poetic
speeches is well known, but this is less
requisite In his present representation than
that mysterious capability which few ac-
tors possess of causing an audience to feel
and understand because of the intensity of
his own Impressions. 1t is an appeal to
subconsciousness. Mr.. SINNERS magnetism
is fortified with a physical grace and tech
nical knowledge which insure complete
mastery of his Interpretation, however in
tense may be it's momentary emotionalism.
Mr.. Guy Standings role was the unsym-
pathic one His defeat in the trial of phil
osophic conclusions was forgone. Yet it
was gallant struggle, mind to mind, and
man to man, conducted with unwaverfng
chivalry and involving no savage humilia-
ton of the vanquished.
Despite the profundity of the subject with
which this play deals and the consistently
intellectual manner of it's discussion the
story is told with such artistic precision
that interest is not allowed to waver 1t
compels response from the most superficial
attention. With all it's philosophy and
psychology it has rare merit of cnostant
lucidity.
Owing to the fact that Mr.. Skinner has
been summoned to Boston on account of
his fathers death, there will be no per-
Torrance tonight.