The Washington times., 1907-02-05
What Is Going on at the Local Playhoases
1.-THE SPOILERS" VITAL
AND FULL OF INTEREST

In spite II its palpable crudities, Rex
Beach has produced in The Spoilers"
a play which has the virility and heart
interest that make II worth while. The
play does not lack force. humor. or
trenehant thought. but there is wanting
the wealth of detail and stage business
which are necessary in an altogether
satisfactory production THE Spoilers
is the work Of an amateur in stage craft.
but a very able amateur. His faults
lie not in conception but in execution,
therefore all shortcomings can be over
come and doubtless will be.
The play is constructed about mas
terful theme. one in which there pulsates
rich. red blood At times the lines are
daring. TOO daring for some hypersen-
stive audiences which would neverthe-
less accept without a protest some
innOcuOus society drama with all its
insldious suggestion and immoral intent
The author has drawn life as he has
seen II in the frozen North where force
and courage are the ruling elements.
The high lights in the play At times
approach the garish. but there Is no
time al which interest in the main theme
lags.
me dialogue on the MHulE - tAGrl-
uOnally clever. one Of the richest roles
In the play Is that OF Joe DeXtry, who
would have been another David Harum
had the fates seen Mt 10 cast his lot
south of htty-three" George Osbourne
gave O highly cTeditabiG representation.
His Interpretation was humorous and
al the same time not without heart. lie
did not warm up 10 the part however,
until after the first act. The initial I'M
preston which he gave the audience
was distinctly disappointing. as he gave
promise of being an Uncle Josh Spruce
by sort.
Ralph Stuart appeared as Roy Glinist-
er, He has an expressive voice and a
forceful stage presence. but his love
scenes are lacking in feeling. lie is
seen at his best in his hghting scene
with Mcnamara.
George X. Henery received deserved
recognition for his numerous portrayal
# the role OF slap Jack Simms 20
Miss Harriet WOrthington as Cherry
Malotte gave a satisfactory imPcrsola-
ton, but there are possibilities in the
role which she has not yet discovered
or else has not the force 10 develop.
Miss Evelyn Vaughan appeared as
Helen Chester. Her characterization
likewise can be strengthened, though
her performance was not without merit
Edmund Elton made much Of the small
role OF Wilton Streve. the drink-cursed
LAWYER The minor roles were salts
One OF the first faults TO be ramedied
Is the length OF the play. The nrst act
might easily be shortened BY the elm
inatlOn of the local color" episode of
the girl who secures contributions for
the man seeking passage 10 the gold
fields The entire first scene OF the
fourth act might be blue penclled with
out materially affecting the development
Of the plot, and al the same time re-
deeming the heroine from an unenviable
predicament OF surrenderiug herself
senselessly 20 the power OF a reprObate.
After al! is said. The Spoilers" makes
the auditor take a deeper breath There
IS the atmosphere OF The great untram-
meled and unhampered within H. The
saVageTy of force and the doctrine OF
right are contagious. one feels younger
after having seen IL. Who OF US at heart
do not feel the thrill that comes with
a melodrama, Beneath the veneer OF
those who have accustomed themselves
20 parlO- plays and society satiTes there
IS a love for wild force, avowed pas
siOns, bruS. courage, the struggle be-
tween man and man; the heroics at
, tendant upon Women's mastery.