The Washington herald., 1909-01-31
characterization xeu.s

IN salvation Nell Mrs Fiske has
made a radical departure from plays
which she has presented hitherto. as
VIII be seen when she appears IN this
play at the Belasco Theater this week.
Mrs. Fiske has sought 70 picture through
her art a fragment Of humanity. almost
hopelessly lost. not only pulling herself
up into the light, but with her man
whose life has been q record OF bestial-
fly and murder. IN this case the victory
is Tar removed from the hackneyed saw
ing OF q man by q woman. because the
conditions are too primitive
Nell Sanders. when the play opens. IS 2
scrub woman IN a barTOom where the Vi
cious and criminal predominant. The man
IN the play. Jim Plat, is a tough. BY
whom Nell is soon to become a mother
He takes without conjunction the money
she earns on the floor OF the saloon and
as easily laughs ct the predicsment 10
which he has brought her. There IS a
collision between Jim and a loafer who
kisses Nell on a dare and the loafer is
killed IN the melee Jim IS taken cut By
the police and Nell is ordered into the
street. Certain that she viii be unable 10
find lodgings IN her condition. Nell. IN
despair, Is almost ready to listen 10 the
counsel OF a woman Of the underworld
who offers her a retreat A Salvation
Army woman pits herself against this
threatening slide into the abyss, and
wins.
Eight years later the appearance OF
Jim Platf in Nelrs tenement apartment
on his release from Sing Sing, breaks In
upon the peace which Nell has won for
herself The interim has meant a great
spiritual awakening for her and has
brought her a child. But IN the presence
OF Jim, brutalizing as II Is. Nell finds
that her old love for him returns. He is
on the verge OF crime again. snd Nell
fights for the possession Of his soul. only
to be beaten back Finally, IN the silad-
ow OF the Salvation Army headquarters
in Cherry street, Nell is given sn oppor-
tunity TO renew her fight when Jim
seeks her out Her words SIS she speaks
at a street meeting strike deep into the
cailous nature Of the ex-convict and a
miracle Is wrought. As she passes him
with her tambourine IN taking I'D a COL
lection he drops coin and tells her that
he is ready TO 80 along with her Al
this point Mrs. Fiske achieves her eli
max, with all her genius for sub5ued ef-
feet heaped on intense emotion. Along
side OF the serious development Of the
play there runs q vein OF humor which
admirably depicts the amusing side OF
sluu existence. This humcr does not
take the form Of comic relief ordinarily
sa6dled upon a situation TO create an fllu-
sion Of TRUTH Salvation Nell, the very
aniithesis Of Becky Sharpe. gees far TO
demonstrate the great range OF Mrs.
Fishes dramatic art H0lbrOOk Blinn's
able delineatiou Of the character Of jim
Platt is in the highest degree artistic
The admirable comedy Of Hope Latham
as a cocotte and Mary Madison's role as
a Salvation Army lass are typical Of the
excellent work Of the Manhattan COM
pany. Then there are several children
parts which are unusually well handled.
Harrison Grey Fishes personal super
vision Of the staging or the play has re-
suited IN the creation Of elaborate scenes
which are the last word in stage realism.
The barroom Of the first act. with its
motley gathering OF half-criminal habit
ues and Its pathetic touches OF real life.
vies with the graphic section OF Cherry
street in the last act. IN the latter the
vista Of sCualid tenements. the FIRE es-
capes and windows Uttered with bedding
and wash. the TaTigated population. and