The Washington herald., 1907-12-29
THE WEEKS PLAYBILLS
The BeIaScO-"The House OF n Thou
sand Candles"

The BeIaScO-"1he House OF n Thou
sand Candles"
(. NJ. Holland es the leading figure in
George DIiddleton's version, made into
dramatic form out Of Meredith Nichol-
soa's mystery novel. THE House of a
thousand Candles" viii be the attrac-
tion Il the Belasco Theater next week.
Mr.. Hollands career on the American
sag has been continuously brilliant. His
father. the well-known George Holland,
hallowed the family name with distinc-
ton and interest. qualities which have
been kept alive by the artistic achieve
nents and temperament of his son Ed
mund from the beginning of his stage
career as call-boy at the Olympic Thea
ter. New York, thirty years ago. where
his father was at that time leading low
comedian. down to the present day. To
George Middleton has fallen the task of
drarlatizing this novel, which has OBJ
tained an extraordinary degree OF popu-
larity. Obviously It Is rarely, If ever,
possible TO reproduce in a drama the
whole OF a long story. II is claimed,
however, for Mr.. Middleton that in pre-
pairing The House Of a Thousand Can
dies" for stage purposes. he has tried.
above all things. to present a self-sus-
tanning play, one which would be under
standable TO those who had not read the
book, and yet to have kept the spirit
OF Mr.. Nicholson's story, so that those
who know it would be in familiar at
mosphere. All the characters of the
novel have been retained in the dramat-
izauon, and each contributes materially
to the action Of the play, although stage
exiSences have compelled the dramatist
TO alter their relative Importance some
what. For instance, the character Of
Bates. the butler. which will be imper-
sonated by Mr.. Holland. has been made
the central character around which the
action revolves, rather than that OF
young Glenarm, which is the more i'm
portant Of the two from the standpoint
Of the novelist
The story contained in the play describes
how old John Marshall GIenarm leaves
his mysterious house in charge Of his
equally mysterious butler who spreads
the false news Of the old mans death.
IN order 10 watch and report TO his mas
ter how his capricious way Of dying af-
tects those concerned in his will. His
grandson. young Jack Glenarm, arrives
10 spend year IN the house. for. by the
terms OF the will should he fail to do so.
the property Immediately reverts 10
Marian Devereux. He Immediately finds
himself IN a love affair, which Bates has
brought about, and in a thrilling fight
win unseen enemies. who are trying in
every way TO have him violate the will.
he believes the unfathOmaDle Bates is
at the bottom OF these malicious attacks.
and suspects him I'm every turn. Bates. in
reality. has been instrumental in saving
his life, and is slowly. but surely, trapping
Arthur Pickering. the executor. who is
anxious TO get Glenarm out of the way
SO that when the property reverts to
Marian DevereuX, he can marry her. In
the meantime the mystery about Bates
dcepens and unless he exposes his own
strange story, he cannot explain 10 Glen
arm the unexpected shots from odd secret
passages and the the uncanny lights
which float so mysteriously in the house.
He succeeds. however. amid many huunor-
Gus, as well as exciting adventures. in
warding off Glenarms enemies until the
proper ume, when, TO save Marian, whom
ne himself loves. he is forced 10 explain
his mysterious mission as butler in THE
House Of a Thousand Candies"
The House of a Thousand Candies
IS produced under the direction of Mr..
Hackett, who has supplied Mr.. Holland
with an especially strong company. Miss
Roebuck. who was formerly leading lady
for John Drew, Is with Mr.. Holland In
the same capacity. Others in the prin-
cipal roles are stephen Grattan. Lewis
Fielder William Hazeltine. Darrell Stand
Ing, Frank i. Aiken, Fred A Sullivan,
II Newkirk Clugston, Mary Elizabeth
Forbes, and Edna Conroy.