The Washington times., 1908-09-27
Mew York Seconds Washington
In Liking Blanche Bates Play
'The Fighting Hope Wins Instant Favor in Gotham,
Both for Star and Author-Post-
poned Openings

! The rather quiet and undangerOus early
stages Of the story led up to it's intense
climax at the end Of the second act In
genuine dramatic shading that had its
fullest effect upon the unusually re-
sponsi-e assemblage. The aDsoll. se
quandary IN which the auditor is left
at that point, as to the final denoue-
ment Of the last act. is, to the real
play lever, a sample Of excellent con-
structiOn. The outcome and final cur
tain satisfies one. Anna has won in
her fight. Right is victorious, Temple
can be trusted 10 look after the widow
and her sons. Blanche Bates-that ncr-
vous, intellectual mass Of temperament
Observation-Disclosures US again as particu-
larly happy in n role Of today and in
a scene in this part Of our country.
The 'Darling-of- -the-GOds' regions. and
the austere vastnesses Of the habitat Of
The Girl Of the Golden West" may
have provided interesting settings for
Miss Bates accomplishments hitherto,
but many OF us are glad 10 swear that
she is none the less alluring and strik-
ingly impressive in this convincing
psychological study Of a woman of to-
day who might have lived next door
10 US.
The cast, furnished and polished. by
Mr.. Belasco, contributes another proof
that he is not losing a whit Of his wiz
ardry. I should say that ne playedd an
other winning trump card And,N like
Shakespeare's trump cards. it's melo-
dramax. There was ample evidence in
the evenings happenings that here is
another success Of the large. sure. en-
during kind. What a splendid begin
ming for young Hurlbut. the playwright! /!
II you think il safe TO judge the pub
lie temper by the reception given James
K. Hackett at the Hackett Theater
Monday evening when he revived the
romantic, costume" play. The Pris-
oner Of Zenda.' then New York IS ready
again for a mental spree of swash-
buckeling. dueling. poetic fancy. and the
highly cOlOred love-making Of the stage.
The Red Elphberg. King OF mythical
Ruritania, and Rudolph Rassendyeu.
the faCile Englishman OF Anthony
Hopes novel strode cnce more Z. the
glare Of the foothghts and were well
coined as old friends. The feat ~ TAX
ing on their dual impersonation was en-
gineered by Mr. Hacl6ett witt all his
possessed Of the same grace, JUNCTION.
elan of twelve years ago when he
brought out this play that has been so
popular. The thrills OF the fghting
scene. the craft OF the conspirators, the
ruggedness Of old Sapt. the glory OF the
fanciful court. the sweetness Of the love
story. the cOmical situations. had not
lost their flavor. They drew applause
/ and honest thrills Of pleasure from a
| crowded house
If this revival scheme prospers. Il IS
| Mr.. Hackett's intention 10 continue II
for a part Of the present season, and. he
also has new play IN preparation. He
has not been seen at his own theater.
and IL IS only natural that theater-
goers welcome the actor into his own.
The occasion being selected for a revival
Of the pieces in which Mr. Hackett has
made successes. is striking a respon-
sive chord generally; and the fact that
this fine actor has had some very hard
luck with his more recent efforts in
the producing line, gains an added feel
ing of warm-heartedness in his behalf.
At The opening the other evening there
was mild ovation that seemed sin
/ cere' but no one can tell. until time re-
veals the trend Of events. whether or
not the public appetite Is 4eady to de-
! YOUR another batch of romantic PLAYS
with surCharged sentimental parapher-
MALTA.