Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-20
Los ANGELES HERALD: TUESDAY 1907.

than the wonderful butler whom ]. M
Barrie created when he evolved Crichton
Also 1t is to be sincerely doubted wheth-
er the versatile Belasco company ever
appeared to better advantage than In
the present offering of the Barrie play
and most certainly there was never seer
In that house before so clever scenic
investiture as that given the present
production of THE Admirable Crichton.' y
All of this Is but preface to the state
ment that the big audience which turned
out last night to witness the Belascc
revival of the Mature VS.. Caste play
thoroughly enjoyed the performance.
Through the expedient of a desert
island-shipwreck, Barrie completely re-
verses the position of masters and SER
wants to show that the interiors under
the usuages of our latter day society are
often the superiors In matters Of re-
source, tact and executive ability, need
ing but the force of circumstances and
opportunity to rise, dominant.
In idea, expedient and plot 1.-THE Admir-.
able Crichton" follows very closely thos,
of a play presented by Roland Reed JUS
prior to his death, both probably being
The shipwreck
Crichton, butler of the Earl of Loan
accompanies his master and family
on yachting trip. The vesse
encounters a disastrous storm and is
wrecked upon the coast of desert island
far from the ordinary course of CONNER
cial vessels.
His master helpless and absolutely
without resource, 1t Is Crichton who rises
to the universal need, plans and directs
"a nf q inv rs M f0f
manufacturing clothing and the utensils
which are daily necessaries, discovers
food supplies and In fact takes complete
command of the party His natural flt-
ness for leadership" gains for him the
position of governor" and he is af-
fectionately yclept "Guv' by his willing
servants-his former masters and mis-.
tresses.
His inventive genius, shown in thou.
sand different ways, finally evolves ar
electrical system on the Island which
through connection with signal fires, at
tratcs the attention of passing ship
and results in the party's return to Eng
land and restoration to their former rela
tive stations.
Believed in Equality
In detail the performance is excellentls
managed. The first act depicts the ear
riding his pet equality hobby, and com
pelling the members of his family to fra
ternize with and wait upon the household
servants, whom one day in each month
he welcomes as his equals and his guests
During the servants scene, Crichton IL
given an opportunity to defend the usages
which make class distinction. 1T is as
1t should be here, my lord; there must bt
masters and there must be servants; its
right and natural. On a desert island II
would be the same; there would be- 9
leader and there would be servants; bu
they might be different"
In the second act, a. rarely beautiful
tropical scene with the ocean in the dis
tance, and the foreground a mass Of
tropical shrubbery, palms, vines ane
vegetation, that difference" is shown
and Chrichton by force of fitness assumes
the leadership. The third act follows
with Crichton installed as "Guv" In thu
house built and furnished through his
ingenuity, the earl and his family ant
guests each performing with willing alac
rity the tasks imposed by their ruler.
A pretty love scene develops wher
Guy confesses that he loves the former
Lady Mary, now called Polly. She recip
rocates his affection, and they have
plighted their troth and are to be mar
ried by the minister who accompanies the
party, when the rescuing ship arrives tt
tumble their plans topsy-turvey.
Equality Myth
The return to England restores each t
his proper station. Lady Mary weds Lor,
Broklehurst, as was planned in the begin
ming. and Crichton retires from service t
marry a maid in his masters home, an
open a little pub" house.
1t is small wonder that Director Bos
worth has made so fine a piece OF tn
present offering, with the excellent back
ing of his coworkers-the company. Eacl
of the principal players fit capitally int
the roles assigned them and present, TO
the most part, we'll finished interpreta
tions. Lewis S. Stone as Chrichton ha
unusual opportunities, and rises nobly t.
them. Both in the servile part a
Crichton and as the awe-inspiring COVER
nor who rules as he lists" he was ad
mirable.
Miss Blanche Stoddard gives confirma
ton to first impressions by her goot
work as Lady Mary The aristocratic
languid noblewoman to the life in thu
opening act, she depicts most delightful.
the lovable, natural, healthy girl, livinl
"close to natures heart in the island
home, and when forced back into thu
conventional forms and usages of societ.
In the last act her impulse to 'breal
away" and act naturally as has been hel
habit during exile, with the instant re
preston of the desire, was artistic to &
degree.
Miss Adele harrington and Miss Flor
ence Smythe as younger sisters did wei
the little required of them.
Howard Scott as the earl presents 6
very good character study, finished al
always. Richard Vivian is quite a
home in the part of a rather stupit
English younger son, prone to sell
praise and laziness. Harry Glazier l!
the minister of the play, and although
he has but little to do, does that little
well.
There are host of minor characters
the one most deserving of mention
being the "Tweeny," or under servant
of Miss Violet Rand. Miss Rand was
capital little "slavey." consistent,
vulgar" when allowed to be by erich
ton, whom she steadfastly worshiped
throughout.