The Washington herald., 1908-01-07

"Classmates,' the new play by William
c. De Mile and Margaret Turnbull, IN
which Robert Edeson appeared at the
National Theater last night, is the strong
est play in which that convincing actor
has appeared for several seasons, al
though it is along the same general lines
of most OF its predecessors, with very
attractive atmospheric surroundings, live
ly ana sustained action, and dash Of
melodrama 10 heighten the interest. It
is a story of love, Of strong, overmaster-
ing love which balks at no difficulty and
casts aside an conventionalities.
Duncan Irving. the hero, impersonated
by Mr. Edeson. is the son OF a North
Carolina country storekeeper, springing
from the class commonly known as poor
whites the elder Irving having been a
noncommlssioued officer in the Confed-
crate service; retiring after the conflict
10 his vocation Of country merchant, with
a career principally devoted 10 the sale
and consumption of moongEine whisky
The son, however, has higher aspirations,
induced by his love for Sylvia Randolph,
the daughter Of a noted Union officer
and nnds himself in conflict with Bert
Stafford, son OF a Confederate general
and belonging To one OF the leading fami-
lies OF the State
Not dauuted by his Disadvantages, he
works hard, obtains an appointment TO
West Point. and seems 10 De about on
the same level with his opponent, when
his ignorant parent visits the Academy,
al .-r. a. rI "A HrrI4
ton of young Stafford. which episode, in
connection with some hazing pranks
brings on q conflict. blows are exchanged,
stafford is severely injured, and the
principals. with others involved, are dis
missed from the Academy
stafford goes 60 Brazil 20 seek out q
fortune. is lost in the jungle, and. after
great suffering, is rescued by Irving and
other classmates. the hero undertaking
the expedition for the purpose OF clearing
his name and again being in "a position
10 declare his love, which he seemed to
think was Heavan-compelled and des-
tined to triumph The first act is rich
with the memory of ;he famous military
college, with iJs hazing class feeling, and
discipline and the play enjoys the dis
unctiOn of having two great climaXes
one i'm the second act. when. after ii
great word duel with the heroine, the hero
departs 20 deliver her message 20 the
man buried in the depths OF the ANA
znnian jungle. and again in the third
act, when the sufferings of the explo -ars
are depicted and the rescued one and
rescuers are located by the relief party
by use OF the heiiograph.
AIr. EdesOn is az his best when imper-
/ s0natiug The hero par excellence, and jn
this instance the character which he as
sumes Is indeed without TepTOach, and
at no time is the interest Of the story de-
fiected from him. although there Is plenty
Of clever work by other members OF the
company. Mr.. Edeson makes a clear and
finished exposition 0f the fallacy that grit.
Intellect and u0bleuess Of purpose only
come by right of blood. and brings out
clearly the dominant strain of The story.
which is the marking out OF the channels
OF human love by a power beyond the
limitations of mere human agencies That
is the spirit and The character, and Mr.
EdesOn minutely understands both and
presents the subject with his accustomed
/ degree Of artistic skill
The greatest interest. after the prin-
cipal. is aroused by Frank Mcintyre. as
Bubby Dumble. Of big body and equal
I a. -
yet is able 10 rise % the emergency at
serious times His method is original.
and throughout the play his humor IS
very refreshing, Another fine interpreta-
ton is presented by Wallace Eddinger.
as Bert Stafford. the villain of the drama.
He is almost too clear faced for the
villains part, but he accomplished the re-
suit by splendid acting. giving a notable
display IN the jungle scene. when he de
picts the hallucinations OF a man suffer
ing with the tropic fever. Mr. Sidney
Ainsworth. as Silent Clay; +. NJ. Dresser.
as Harry Jones. and Macy Harlan, as
Hugh Lindsay. all sustain the supporting
characters with a high degree of interest
Miss Flora Juliet Bowley appears as
Sylvia Randolph with effect. Miss Maud
Granger is seen as Mrs. Stafford. Mar
jorie Wood as Phyllis Stafford. and all
the minor characters are played with that
evenness of quality which insures a
smooth and interesting performance.
The staging of the production is clever.
especially the scenes showing the com
pany street at the camp Of the cadets.
and the depths Of a tropical jungle. The
only fault which might be justly found
might come from the prolonged sunrise
episode in the latter. Il seemed unduy
long for the tropics and might perhaps be
shortened in consideration for the sus-
pended feelings of the onlookers.