Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-06-16
THE CAST
BY sIDLE LAWRENCE


\ usual thesis in elemental psychol-
ogy; unusual not in it's ultimate solu-
ton but in the manner of proof en-
ployed. He has worked it out with all
the accuracy of logic and all the per-
suasiveness of illogic. And he has
adorned the whole with literary quail
ity revealing his poetical habit of
thought.
Already in the closing weeks of its
second season THE Great Divide" has
been much acclaimed as drama OF re-
markable virility. It's first success in
New York followed the play across the
continent and now attends its belated
presentation In this city. The drama is
finely staged and acceptably acted by
practically the same cast engaged in Its
presentation this season in the east.
Miss Edyth Olive, an English actress.
has succeeded Miss Margaret Anglin in
the role of Ruth, but elsewhere the
company remains unchanged.
1t seems rather late in the day to
enter into any extensive analysis of
this play as such. Its story, construc-
ton, the development of its plot and
the characters presented should be al
ready familiar to most theatergoers
through frequent critical comment in
the daily papers and magazines Of the
country. "The Great Divide" is cur
been both remarkable and deserved.
In characterization the two central
figures of the drama present admirable
studies, but the roles of Polly and
Philip Jordan are too obviously de-
signed as foils for the seriousness of the
others to carry conviction. Their super
fetal character is overly accented to
the destruction of reality. This is a
minor defect noteworthy only as 1t is
brought into striking relief by the ex-
cellence of Mr.. Moody's work elsewhere.
Henry Miller's acting in the role of
Stephen Client is natural, effective and
convincing. He shows us man in
whom habits of action are more firmly
rooted than habits of thought. To
the end he retains in large measure
the manners and deUeanor Of boor;
though the man within him, as Stephen
himself phrases it. has undergone re-
generation.
role displays a heaviness of both action
and intellect. Client comes upon the
stage under the influence of liquor. He
leaves 1t with brain somewhat clearer
but with befuddled legs. There Is no
sudden SOLDERING to meet crisis: Dur
ing the entire period he carries himself
like an habitual heavy drinker serious
ly affected by his potations.
In the second act Client comes to a
realization that he and his hardly and
unfairly won wife speak different
languages. So much has been gained.
In the third act he masters her tongue
and she herself discovers that their
association which has spelled redemp-
ton for the man has served merely to
intensity in herself the narrow preju-
dices of her New England ancestry.
Then comes the awakening and the
woman herself places about her neck
the chain of gold which she has re-
garded as the badge of dishonor.
"Of your own free will?" asks the
mo" she replies. mo! Because I
can't help It,"
Thus the conventional ending becomes
less commonplace through the poetry of
its expression.
The slow growth of the character;
the transition of Client from man-brute
to husband and father, are depicted by
Mr. Miller with wholly satisfying clar-
ity. His acting is forceful, natural,
compelling. His representation of this
westerner will linger long in the memo
ries of those fortunate enough to wit
ness it.
The Supporting Company
Mr.. Millers company, too. is of large
caliber. In his support is that excellent
old actress, Mrs. Thomas Whiften, VINO
was pleasantly received upon her nrst
appearance on tne stdSo iaSI ni5hS c,'iu
who gave us a delightful view OF her
ability in a small role. 80
Miss Edyth Olive plays Ruth with
fine perception and with much feelng,
though it is difficult to understand why
Mr.. Miller should have selected an Eng
lish actress to play this essentially
american character. Her English die
ton is sadly out OF place al SUCH Gil
vironment.
Miss Laura Hope Crews admirably
attacks the part of Polly and fails to
make it appear real only because or the
inherent super1ciality of the character.
Charles Wyngate, an actor with large
stock experience probably does as well
as NAV be with the equally Impossible
role Of Philip. The minor roles are
We'll played. Az
Mason through the week. You ought
to see it.
The Orpheum this week offers what IS
practically an entire change of BILL Sa-
lerno repeats his juggling stunt OF last
week. and several of Jean Marcels Nv
ing pictures were shown at the same
house a week ago, but otners OF the
pictures are new and William rom
kins. the third and last member of the
hold-over list, oHerS new Hiohoioeu9
and new songs. ,,,,,
First among the newcomers are VIII
M Cressy and Blanche Deyne. pre-
sentine MIR. Cressys skit, 'Town Hall
Tonight" Cressy plays the role. of
country theatrical manager, his mouse
heinp located somewhere on the New
Fngiand kerosene circuit. Miss Deyne
is the woman star of a travelling rep"
show The skit is funny and it Is ex-
cellently acted, but it Is several minutes
too long. The town hall scenery In IT.
self is a colossal joke, particularly the
drop representing New York's Flatiron
building at the junction of Broadway
and Wall streets. ~
Mr. and Mrs. George A. Beane, with
the assistance of Beane sprout. oHer
a nelodramatic farce entitled "A Wom-
ans Way" This, as the author con-
fesses on the program, embodies no
new ideas, but gets the laughs, and
plenty of them.
Wilbur Mack, aided by a pretty girl
regarding whose identity the program
is silent, gives us a skit 1.-THE Girl and
the Pearl" There isn't a new line nor
a new situation in the thing, and Mr.
Mack has a bad attack Of George Co
hanitis. He sings several of his own
songs, and the songs though not the
way they are sung, provide the pest
mart of the entertainment.
BERTHE Heron is billed as the Original
minstrel Miss" This is libel how
ever. for she isn't that old. Rockway
and Conway, apparently on the wrong
circuit. come first on the bill with
COMEDY sketch" that ought to be rele-
gated to the 10-cent houses
The tabloid opera at the Unique this