The Washington herald., 1907-04-16
OPENING NIGHT
At THEATERS.

The New NRtfonaI--'sTie Hyp0crites."
Henry Arthur Jones, clever dramatic
copstructionist, and the rival IN England
the only worthy rival. Unless George
| Bernard Shaw be counted = OF Arthur
Wing Plnero, has never written q
stronger play than "The Hypoerites, %
which, with the original New York east.
was seen at the New National Theater
last night by a large audience Il Is not
a pleasant play; there Is no humor 10 it,
save the humor Of the exaggeration OF
one or two of the characters which, save
for conventions sake, might just as well
have been left out OF the play altogether.
Indeed, the Intrusion Of one OF them. the
character Of Mrs. Blaney, albeit admir-
ably portrayed by Helen Tracy, is a posi-
tive blot on the play. There is not a eitu-
alton In which she appears that would
not be the better for her absence. The
same might almost as strongly be said
Of the character of the Rev. EyeraFd
Daubeny, played skillfully by Mr.. W H..
Denny. The character adds too much
preachiness 20 the play, and its Intrusion
would seem to indicate that Mir Jones
has gone rather out Of his way to take Il
fling az the hypocrisy OF the clergy. It is
hardly ever safe TO set up bad example,;
he is almost always sure to be Judged as
type.
Outside of that. the story Of TIE play is
a most human one The old. old theme
Of girl wFonged by young fellow IN
high station; but in this case his father
and mother are 50 anxious to see him
married to a girl Of his own station with
d lot Of money that they condoue his
crime and want very much to get the girl
out Of the way. Unfortunately for them.
the girl falls into the hands Of Rev Edgar
Linnel the poor curate, who is not poor
enough in spite Of his wife and children.
to be bribed into hiding the crime. lie
alone. OF all the people 10 whom the play
introduces Us, sees that the only safe
way is the right way. lie is alone in
insisting that il would be a crime for
young Wilmore 10 marry. leaving this
early victim Of his fascination alone.
And the climax comes ln the third act.
where the playwright has with great
adroiness. brought all Of the principal
characters on the stage: he shows them
all consciously. or with rank hypocrisy.
pretending that they do not know the
truth.
To the young clergyman. fighting man
fully for the truth, they aI lie and
criuge and before him they all cheat
themselves. Young Wiimore himself
tells a direct lie when faced Wlth the
girl ne has Wronged. she. believing thai
his happiness-the happiness OF the man
she loves and 10 whom the best part OF
her life has been giveu-Iies In conceal
ng the truth she hravely denies Il an
IA the presence Of the assembled guests.
But the strain Is too much for her. and
with a cry Of pain she swoous; and the
pain Is too much for young WllmOre.
nature asserts herself. the cry for aid
drives all the lies away and tn a minute
ne mas her in his arms. acknowledging
his sin and crying out for pardon
The play ought by rights 20 end there.
II is a beautiful and q strong climax. and
that which follows after is sheer anti
climax. II could be understood by those
Intelligent enough % enjoy the first part
OF the play so much better than il is ex-
plained.
The play Is beautifully acted The cast
is strong and adequate. The honors are
carried Off by Alr. W II. Denny, in the
part of the young curate. Physically. he
looks the part; De has "a good face.
strong face that aids the lines and the
situations greatly. and no one could hear
his appeals for the truth without being
deeply moved. It was a fine performances.
Miss Jessie Milward. an actress OF great
power. does excellent work as Mrs VIII
more. though the part is an ungrateful
one. Mr.. Richard Bennett one of the
best young actors OF recent years. has
also an JngratefBl part as Young Will
more. but his work is very gratifying and
thorough. John Glendinning. as Sir John;
J. f. Barnes. as Mr.. WilmOre. the prime
hypOcrite, Arthur Lewis. as Mr.. Niveash
an presented characters well studied and
carefully played Doris Keane, as Rachel
Neve. was a fine character study, synpa-
thetic and played with marked feeling
The play as "a whole. though one must
mark it as an unpleasant play and
inclined 20 be -preachv." teaches a
strong and vital moral lesson. It's motto
Was taken by Air. Jones from THE Pill
grim's Scrip "Expediency is mans wis
DOM doing right IS God sand that is
the moral this play shows in a forceful
and entertaining way.