The Washington herald., 1908-03-08
THE Enigma. "

The midweek performance by Miss
Nethersole of Paul Hervieus queer little
play, "rhe Enigma. was so scantily at
tended that no discussion OF the play viii
be generally understood. Although this
play has met with the disfayor OF the
critics in the cities where 1t was dis
closed prior 10 the Washington perform
ance, and although The Washington Her
aid on last Thursday morning pointed
out that il was unsuited 70 the digestion
of the following Miss Nethersole pos
sesses, yet 10 the student of the theater
II presented a novel and impressive inter-
est, 1t is not the vehicle for a star who
has been accustomed to heavy emotional
roles-such as Miss Nethersole Island
whose audiences demand more than psy-
Geological analyses Of social conditions.
but rather play for a company of play
ers similar 10 those We have seen organ
lied in this country on various occasions
for the purpose of studying and enacting
the more profoundly intellectual works of
the stage.
There IS a great deal OF originality of
thought in the construction of the prob
lem presented. The early scenes deal,
with a discussion Of the proper course
for husband TO pursue with wife who
proves unfaithful to him Two husbands,
their wives. the lover of one of the ladies'
which lady Il is is left 10 the Imagination
and a disinterested old friend of the
family take part in this discussion. Ray
mOnd de Gourgiran declares il his wife,
Giselle, should be false 10 him he will not
hesitate TO kin her, while his brother,
Gerard, asserts that the lover only should
be the victim, the wife 10 live on forever
under the stigma Of her error. as a pun
ishment for having committed it.
After some tedious sermonizing, the
whole party retires. the two ladies being
genious subterfuge, IN which both seem
equally involved the outer door is left
unlocked, and the curtain falls on the
first scene. The next, however. in the
very dim light OF early morning, discloses
one OF the ladies IN her lovers arms and
he bids her a passionate adieu without
her identity being made known TO the
audience. OF course, after she has left
him he IS discovered by the husbands,
WV +-fNfN AAsNu NdAAg AnA Il ouOOllllS eA-
pedition. Each husband is equally GER
tain that his own wife is the guilty one,
but both protest their innocence. and the
lover, Vivarce. maintains utter silence,
and retires TO blow out his brains.
When the suicide is discovered, GiseIIe
merely cries. Poor fellow" and falls
into her husbands arms Leonore. the
wife of Gerard. makes a terrible scene.
asking first 10 be permitted TO go TO
Vivarce, and then 20 be allowed to die
also Gerard, with the lover out of the
way. feels that his honor is satisfied. and.
in pursuance Of the course which he adj
voeated earlier in the play, declares that
Leonore shall live. with the consequences
of her act always before her. Meanwhile.
Raymond is covering Giselle's face with
kisses and asking forgiveness while hold
ing her inert form in his embrace He Is
all penitence FOR having suspected her.
Curtain.
Enigma; Is Leonore guilty. OF is she |
sacrificing her own honor and future hap
piness 10 save Giselle the real culprit. |
from death at RaymOnd's hands2