Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-22

mea Surement from yards into furlongs
and miles will convey clear impression
of its real quality. 1t S interest is SO
largely phlosophic that it is hard TO
avoid an air of scholastic moralizing that
will cause the average playgoer to fear
that the evening of entertainment he eX-
poets from the theater Is In jeopardy. A
Sermon From the Stage" looks well in
print but it inspires little confidence in
the casual amusement-seekers Folumi-
nous comment does not necessarily Gre
ate liberal patronage. as the libraries fun
of essays on the work of Shakespeare Will
testify.
The reviewers of this play will need all
the skill they can command to point out
the value of its moral and educational in
fuence. without conveying Il damning
hint of didactic verbosty. 1t is neither
Gidactic nor verbose. The authors great
est charm lies in his felicity in combining
an expression of sublime truth with in
tense human interest. His moraliZinS Is
free from pomp and pose: his picture of
heroism is simple and transformations, and
his satire is without sneer- 1t is a
philosophic analysis of the relations of
man to man worked out so clearly that
the most undisciplined intelligence can
grasp it.
The enormous dramatic force of the
play is due to utter abandonment of
all artificial effect. The study of char
acter Is minute and without prejudice
The hypocrite is unlovely i'm society as
the hyena is ugly in the desert. Mr.
Kennedy has discussed the hypocrite as
a naturalist would discuss the hyena.
without either rancor or apology. There
is ranting denunciation of things that
are wrong merely for the sake OF af
fording elocutionary opportunities to the
players. 1t is all d rational. modern and
unaffected reminder that the teachings of
the Christian religion expounded by
its founder rest not only on sacred in
SEPARATION. but on the simple logic of COM
mon sense.
All this and more will be told in many
ways before this remarkable production
is many days older. The fear is that the
welcome which intellectual sense will ac-
cord the drama will arouse visions of
long hair and blue spectacIes to discour-
age the man who candidly announces
that when lie goes to the theat r he
wants to he interested rather than in
ard 4 series of topical songs he has no
chance whatever at this play. But sup
pose he is lover of acting of the old
schCoi sort: suppose ne ravarts fondly to
the days of great sonorous speeches and
abundant gesture. Surely the perform
ance of Tyrone Power must delight him
Here is something that recalls what We
read of. the enormous vitality and mag
netiSm of Edwin Forres; and his kind
Mr.. Powers performance is of style
- which playwrignts of the present gen.
eration make scant provision. 1t is tenn
ps stuous and unreStra ned; not merely
convincing. but overwhelming Only an
actor OF rare natural gifts and fin. train
ing would dare trust himself in SO flerc.
torrent of emotion.
But suppose this casual playgoer is an
admirer of the repose and moderation in
expression of late demanded by taste and
Endorsed by fashion 1t would be difficult
to find worth!er exponent than Mr..
Walter Hampden. who enacts the title
role. Serene and majestic. despite the
humility of his chosen service. there is
no suggestion of artiice or pose. The
lofty standards of morals that the char
aCteI represents are made strong and
manly by the actors method of inter
p-etation without hint OF other force
than that which love and conscience
WELD.
Perhaps our playgoer likes the problem
Then he will observe i'm fascination the
struggle between abstract duty and world
~ approval which RACES in the life of
the vicar. as excellently portrayed by
Charles Dalton. The scenes between Mr.
Dalton and Miss Matthison are as in
tense in interest as the scenes between
Macbeth and his ambitious wife The
wears triumph over the persua sions of
his wife does not lessen the Impressive
ness of the ordeal to which he Is sub
jected. 1t is a tragedy of heart and
mind, the greater because it goes be-
yond physical suffering In it's suggestions
The part of the wife is played by Miss
Matthison better than any other actress
could play it: yet it is less than her tai
ents deserve.
Surprising the demand IS for comedy
Hero It is. delicious and abundant. in
the role of Ponsonby Makeshyfte a rep
resentative of clerical wordliness who
is smugly unconscious of his~ own lack
Lewis is entrusted with this role TO which
he gives all possible comedy emphasis.
without allowing it to drift entirely into
caricature. Here. then is everything that
could be asked in the makeup of a le-
climate drama-comedy. tragedy. pathos
satire. defamation and tableau OF
course. Mr.. Casual P1aygoar If you
must have song and dance-ah well! The
Follies of 1907 is coming
Mr.. William Ram Kennedy the
author. who tells something of his
methods and purposes, in an interview on
this page. has stepped from compar alive
obscurity into the limelight with astonish-
ing suddenness. His scholarship is mani
fest in his work. which tremendously COM
bines classical severity of form with the
utmost ease and freedom OF diction
The play is relentless III its disclosure of
human character. IL is Ibsen without
morbidity and G. Bernard Shaw without
fippancy.
The Travelling Salesman is rich in
promise, but UP TO the time OF it's de-
parture from this city scanty in imme-
date appreciation. 1t is a jolly farcical
creation, with a dash of pathos and con-
Siderable dramatic vigor. 1t has been un-