Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-09
THE THEATER.
New National rheatsr.

THE Lion and the Mouse" is one Of the
plays which come to Washington as guar
anteed propositions. Its success else
where has been so great as to leave no
doubt OF its potency in popular appeal. and
the descriptions preceding it have been such
as to invite especial interest in a commu-
nifty where men of consequence in public
affairs are constantly under observation. 1t
Is play of particularly wholesome quality;
another assurance that the same ideals and
sentiments that were cherished in more
ostentatfously chivalrous periods of history
still survive in the hustle of modern life.
The subject about which the authors story
revolves is a very old one. 1t has been
treated by almost every dramatist who has
written since the>mystery play gave way
to stage expositions of more worldly in
terests. The plot concerns a conspiracy OF
two young lovers to soften the mood of an
obstinate parent. That they will even
tually outwit him is evident from the out
set. for no playwright with a human heart
in his breast could bring himself to sacri-
flee the futures of two such charming young
people as he has drawn. even for the sake
of preserving a thorough consistency in the
role of the flintv father. The capitulation-
foreseen though 1t is, is gracefully aid
plausbly accomplished. and a twentieth
century audience is delighted Just seven
teenth century audiences used to be by the
spectacle of an irate and deter mined old
about the very match which his pride at
first refused to consider. In structure "The
Lion and the Mouse is conventional even
unto u he degree of archaic triteness. But
for all that its modern interest is vivid and
intense-an assurance that history repeats
itself. The characters are warn flesh aid
blood of todav. The men of the cast are
particularly efficient.
Mr.. Edmund Rreese gives a portraiture of
the infiexible king of finance. which lis
photoera rhic in it's fidelity 1t is drawn
with broad. powerful strokes. yet free from
the vulgarsm of caricature. It is pic
ture of big. strong. human being. The
reveal ton of the gentler side of coldly
ambitious mans charac ter is deftly made
without undue sacrifice Of his naturally
domneering spirit. The affection between
father and son is utilized to great advan-
tage by the author. both in the develop
ment of plot and in character portrayal.
The son. as played by Mr.. William Levers.
proved most engaging young man. strong
ing Some of the scenes in which Mr..
Levers appears Displayed him to more than
ordinarily noteworthy advantage. He de-
serves recognition as one of the very best
Juvenile actors on the American stage The
role of Shirley Rossmore. the girl who I'M
dertakes for the sake of her father to bend
the iron will of the financial autocrat. pre-
sents fine acting opportunities which were
graspeG~ with conscientious effort by MISS
Grace Elliston. Marguerite st. John has
a grande dame role. which she plays with
excellent effect, and Reginald Darlington
contributes good bit of character as the
young Englishman, Honorable Fitz Roy
Bagley. The audience at the New National
Theater last night was large and evil
denced its appreciation Of the play and the
performance with unmistakable enthusi-
asm.