The Washington herald., 1907-10-13
The Beiasco-"Anna Karenina.r .

The BeIasco-'sAnna Karenina."
Virginia Harmed, in Anna Karenina. :"
will be the attraction at the Belasco The
ater all OF this week, beginning to-mor-
row night. By many. Tolstois novel, on
which this play is founded. is regarded as
one Of the greatest ever written. Al
though various fruitless attempts were
made 10 dramatic Anna Karenina,' the
first success in this direction was at
tanned by E-mohd Guiraud. the French
playwright This version, which was
adapted by Thomas ". Broadhurst for
Miss Harned's use. created a perfect
furor at the Theater Antoine. in Paris,
last season, with Nine. Megard IN the
title role. The success of the French
star has, however. been eclipsed by the
triumph achieved by Miss Harmed in
New York this season. II is doubtful if
Miss Harmed ever before has appeared
in play which gave equal scope TO her
emotional powers.
The story OF Anna Karenina'' shows
Anna as the wife of an astute Russian
minister OF the Gar, one Alexis Karenin'
man 20 whom duty was the chief mo-
tive and inspiration OF life. and whose
head had completely overmasteTed his
heart Only the fact that she has son,
Serge, reconciled Anna 10 her wifely mar
tyrdom. One day she meets the brilliant
Count Vronsky, and both fan madly in
love. Soon talk Is heard OF the affair in
the social circle. and this is intensified
for the reason that the Princess Cher
batsky Is seeking an alliance between
Nronsky and her daughter. the Princess
Kitty. Anna's passion for VrOnsky is re-
vealed at the imperial races. when Nron-
sky, bewildered by his love, hope, and
fears, fails to take one Of the hurdles
and is thrown beneath his horses feet.
Anna, who has been watching the race,
screams with terror and despair, and
thus disclOses her secret 20 her husband,
who has been watching her. In the dra-
matte scene which follows he lies to her
and tells her that Vronsky Is dead. When
she discovers this cowardly lie, which
evoked from her the admission that she
did love Vronsky. she turns on her hus-
band like an enraged tigTess and demands
that he release her from the tyrannical
bond of marriage which has become so
CALLING and so impossible. Karenin re-
fuses 10 grant her a divorce. because Of
his political and social ambitions, and. In
her desperation, Anna fees 10 Italy with
NrOnsky The unhappiness and bitterness
Of her distiny soon begin 10 weigh heav-
ily upon them both. and, added 10 this
the cry of her maternal heart to see heI
boy again urges her 10 return TO Rus
sia in the hope that q legal ending car
be made TO her position as Kareuin'
wife. When the news is finally brought
to her, however that Karenin will con
sent to a divorce, she finds that the love
Of Vronsky for her Is waning. and, be
heving as she does that he is about tC
forsake her. in on9 wild, unreasoning mo-
ment Of despair she destroys herself by
plunging beneath the wheels of an on
rushing locomotive
Miss Harmed viii be supported by A
strong company. John Mason, who vii
have the principal male role, is a great
favorite here, having played with Mrs
Fiske and in stock. It is rumOTed that
he will be starred later this season under
the management Of the ShUberts Miss
Harned's leading man. Robert Warwick
attracted much attention last season by
his excellent work as Jerome bonapaTte
IN Mary Mannerng's production of "GlO
riOus Betsy" Among the other prominen
members Of Miss Harmed company are
Albert Gran, Ann Warrington. George
Ridden, May Louise Aigen, Marie Cur
tis, Harriet Broadhurst. Frank Davis
ana Master Foster Williams, who IS SAID
10 be the cleverest child actor on the
stage to-day J. c. Huffman, general
stage director for the Shuberts, is respon-
sibie for the staging Of anna Karenina. .
The production is said to be elaborate
The last act scene. which IS only used FOL
a few moments shows the passing Of a
heavy express train at full speed
Twenty-Five men are required TO work the
mechanical apparatus which Onerates
this effect