Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-22
A N U S e N E NTS
Belasco.

A double appeal to popular interest is
made in the new play whose scenic mag
nificence and intricacies of plot were
placed on view at the Belasco Theater
last night. Yosemite has not only the
dash of weird psychology which so per-
vades the current stage, but it returns to
the senSationalism of the old-time border
drama, with Mexican bandit, who is a
villain. and heroic despite his villainy.
In addition to the elements of popular ap-
peal which the author, c. A. Taylor, has
woven lavishly and at times deftly into
story that crackles with incident, is an
array Of stage settings whose beauty Is Of
itself sufficient to command sincere admt-
ration.
The scenic artist has been allowed full
scope for his art. and it is as an artist
that he figures in the superb mounting
which this piece is SO fortunate as TO en-
joy. He Is effectually seconded by the
electrician. the lighting effects being an
important factor in the studies OF wild
mountain scenery which engage the eye,
even while events of momentous signif1-
canoe are occurring among the people of
the story.
The theory of rencarnation plays an i'm
portant part in the tissue of incidents
which the playwright has drawn together
He does not proceed after the usual fash
ion in discussing a question OF psychol-
ogy and apply his efforts to an elucida-
ton Of the mysteries Of his subject. He
accepts reincarnation as a proposition al
ready proved, and at crucial moment
when his plot absolutely defies solution
by physical means, calls upon reincarna-
ton to smooth matters out and effect
a happy denouement. In this procedure
he is not without distinguished precedent
Shakespeare frequently called In super
natural agencies without asking permits
sion from experts in psychic research
But If the story IS somewhat Shake
there are scenes when it Is far from
being poetic in its diction.
Some Of the scenes are lacking In force,
conspicuously the love scene in which
arguments which should be overwhelming
sound almost as tame as tea-table dis
cussion. On the occasion of an exit the
bandit chief announces that his pursuers
will find him defiant and aggressive to
the last" which seems q rather matter
of-fact assertion under such emotional
conditions. The conclusion of the play
is a beautiful tableau, whose significance
could surely be conveyed without the
waste Of talk that obscures its real
beauty. It Is one of the cases where an
author insists upon more explanation than
Is needed to convey his idea.
1t is something of a satisfaction to wit
ness play that has the courage of its
melodrama. Weapons are drawn with
ITteOO1n tDdI nOIQ6 tQo l1l0 ana OedC0 III
terest up to high pitch. and the heroine
steals the sleeping desperados revolver
without an artistic quafm. But under
meath 1t all Is an idea-a great big idea
and the presentation Of it is fOrceful, II
lacking in a certain literary polish. There
are well rounded speeches in the play
which Indicate that the smoother diction
should easily be supplied where it is
needed.
new idea and a new actress in the
same piece should suffice even such extra
ordinary displays of incident and scenery
to stamp 1t as remarkable. Miss Laurette
Taylor is a discovery. Her portrayal Of
girl of temperamental delicacy reared
apart from all civilizing influence Is a
fine study. She seems as revealed in the
first act, an actual part Of the wild life
about her, a creature Of the wilderness,
with all it's timorous alertness and buoy
ant physical activity. She realizes a diff
cult character with charming complete
ness and provides the element of subtlety
In which the performance is elsewhere de-
ficient. Theodore Babcock does an excel
He reads his lines intelligently and with
And there Is a child actress in the cast
not an infant prodigy, but a real little
artist, whose efforts are among the most
satisfactory In the play.
Yosemite is an enterprise OF such
philosophic, dramatic and scenic magni-
tude that its development could scarcely
be complete In the short period of repre-
sentation it has had 1t has structure and
vital interest, and as finished product
should find a place in the esteem of the
public that longs to be thrilled.