The Washington herald., 1908-04-14

The New AeademS-Thomas Z. shea.
That audiences at the popuIar-prieeG
theaters enjoy a good religious play. vel
done, when they see it, was amply eyi-
denced last night at the New Academy
Theater, where Mr.. Thomas E. Shea pre-
sented for the first time in this city the
religious drama. "a Soldier of the Cross. "
by Eugene Thomas.
The play is of the same quality and
the same school as tThe sign Of the
Cross" and Quo vadis?" which ran so
long and which won so much popular
favor IN the high-prfced theaters. It is
as consistent and as moving play as
either Of these. and it wins as much ap-
plause. II depends. as these plays al
ready mentioned did. on the quality Of its
presentation for its success. and on this
score It can compare avorahly-consider-
ing the work OF Mr Shea and his conn.,
pany-with the religious plays that have
gone before.
It Is hardly necessary to retell the story
CT q religious play; the elements in all of
them are much the same. There is always
the pagan who is a gladiator and who
is converted either through love OF his
daughter. or through the love of some
other woman; who defies the fates-in
this case as in so many other religious
plays, the Roman patrieans-and who
through being converted and becoming a
Christian, is saved at last.
In this particular case the author has
adroitly cited history 10 his purpose. and
when he has succeeded in getting his
hero. Ajax, admirably played By Mr..
Thomas E. Shea. into a seemingly impos-
siole situation, he has so timed the events
Of his dramatic history that the eruption
Of Vesuvius fntervenes. like a miracle. 20
save him. This is the great climax of the
play, and ir depends for the success of
its effect not only on the acting CT the
various members of the company, but on
mechanical adiuncts which are most
wonderfully introduced and which, last
night, kept the audience in its seats until
the curtain had been raised at least
dozen times, so that one might see the
destruction Of Pompeii. in which Chris
tian and pagan were alike doomed.
To say that a Soldier Of the Cross is
not a trihe melodramatic would be to
deny it qualities which it possesses in a
large degree. It's effects are gained by
bread drawing; the lines are firm. direct.
and unmistakable. Bus il is a drama for
all that, and it depends for its success
not alone on its lines and situations, but
on the quality of It's acting.
There have been several performances
at the higher-priced theaters this season
would have done much greater Justice TO
the author of the play, had they been
acted with as much sincerity as "A Sol
dier OF the Cross" was last night.
Mr.. Thomas z. Shea is an actor of
"irility. ability, and force, He impresses
OF always with the fact that he is sin
ere; that he believes absolutely in what
'e tries, and the result is that he con-
inces his audience. There is no ranting.
10 appeal to "the gods" simply a sane.
intelligent. and forceful reading OF the
ines, and the result is that the acting
arries the audience away: and last night
he action OF the drama was halted sew
raj times 20 allow the applause of the
audience full sway
Mr Shea has an attractive personality
and speaking voice that is ringing and
Tlle, his gestures are graceful and his
"noie manner is that OF man who be-
Iieves in what he is doing: so that il was
not surprising that last night the finale
Of each act got several curtain calls. and
that when the play was ended, showing
AJAX with his daughter saved by a mir
aeie, the audience remained seated until
il had applauded to its hearts content.
Mr.. Shea is too good an actor not to be
surrounded by a good company, and
among those in his support must be men
toned Mr. Spencer Charters as the Prae-
tor OF Pompeii, who gave a fine character
representation; Mr. J. F. Gilbert. as
Tigelinus; Miss Charlotte Burkett. as the
Princess Astralia, who played a difficult
part with force and dignity, and Miss
Pearl Ford. who was most clever as
Claudia.
On the whole. the performance was a
delightful one. II Is a religious play. II
Is stirring drama-tense. interesting
we'll acted. well stagee-and it deserves
the support of the theateT-going public Of
Washington. "A Soldier of the Cross
will be repeated at matinee this after
noon and at matinees on Thursday and
saturday. HECTOR FULLER.