Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-01-20
Anus ements
1.-THE Thief" Tomorrow Night.

1.-THE Thief" Tomorrow Night.
The Portland Press makes the fol-
lowing comment on 1.-THE Thief" which
comes to the Augusta Opera House to-
morrow night. !,
1.-The Thief" a new and strikingly
original play by Henri Bernstein, was
given at the Jefferson theatre, last
evening" for the first time in Port
land
Friday evening saw the second big
play Of the week given at the Jefferson
and like paid in Full it was not
greeted by large house. Both Of
these productions have been immense
New York successes and are strong
virile dramas, but yet 50 comparatively
unknown as far as Portland is con-
cerned that they failed to bring out
capacity houses. If all should have
seen Paid in Full' surely no one
should miss 1.-The Thief" which is
more powerful in the display of human
emotions.
The play by Bernstein is one that
deals with the love of a woman, the
all-consuming love that knows no OBJ
stacles, that will balk at no hindrances.
1t is pure love, the love of wife FOR
her husband, and yet it is love tinged
with fear, a fear that she may lose the
regard of the one to whom she has
devoted herself and be cut off from the
affection. for which she has hungered
and yearned until united in happiness
with thes man of her dreams. And
wishing to preserve that love, the
woman, Marie Louise Voysin. is a prey
to the Vanities of her sex and looks TO
fine clothes as the means of keeping
herself in the favored light OF her
husbands love. The income of M.
Voysin is not sufficient to give her
those things for which she yearns, and
on bitter day, she falls a victim to
temptation-and steals; steals from
her dearest friends while a guest in
their house and gratifies her ambition
to be finely gowned and wins the ap-
probation of her husband.
I But all this while there is another
thief about, Fernando Lagardes, the
son of the close friends Of the woman,
and he falls in love with her. His adj
vances are not returned by the faithful
wife, but he is so enamored of her
that he does her bidding and when the
theft of the money from the boudoir OF
the Lagardes is discovered, he Will
ingly at the request of Marie, as
sumes the responsibility of the crime.
Confusion and sorrow follow for the
household. and Marie and her husband
Richard discuss the crime. One thing
leads to another, the playful pleas
antries of the happy couple bring dra-
matte conclusions and then Marie con-
fesses her theft, confesses the request
she made of Fernando and urges that
her husband believe in her and her
love for him and that it is because Of
this love that she has sacrificed her
sense of honor but not her purity. Fer
nande is about to be sent away but
Marie cannot stand to see such injus-
tice done and she cOnfesSes to the
Youths father the true state of affairs.
A dramatic and even pathetic eXplana-
ton follows and the love, confidence
and happiness of all are restored.
The story of the play is new in that
it is intensely human. Mr.. Bernstein
in his lines has faithfully played on
The human emotions, developed a bril-
liant story, dressed in clear concise
language, constructed strong climaxes
and above all has brought forth a play
| JfldI IL real, lIctl Iiic amp VI - 49,
nature in it's every word.
We must thank Charles Frohman
for sending another excellent company
to Portland, for no collection Of players
could be more capable than those who
present "The Thief" as 1t is being
given here. AS an emotional actress,
Miss Dallas must be classed among the
first. Never a detail is overlooked IN
the art-rending tale of the loving
wife. Her soul is torn by every feel
ing in the human breast. Pity, SYM
pathy. rage, indignation, and an all
mastering love assert themselves and
she depicts them all as they would be
felt by any woman placed in the posi-
ton into which Marie had been forced.
The second act is devoted entirely to
Marie and Richard. And yet one in
watching Miss Dallas and Mr.. Dalton
| forget that but two people occupy the
stage for upwards Of 40 minutes. Only
the powerful scene between husband
and wife is seen and the DRAMATIC
tensity of the situation holds the audi
ence spellbound. 1t is triumph OF
acting. o..
But Miss Dallas and Mr.. Dalton are
not alone in the honors of the produce
ton of the play, for Mr.. .Mawson. Mrs.
Bell, Mr. Lawrence and Mr.. Ide are all
perfection in their several roles.
It has been said that "The Thief" is
play that all husbands should see 1t
is a play that wives should witness,
that all should miss no opportunity of
attending 1t is a play that all may
get good from and that all may take to
heart The production is given an
elaborate setting that adds still more
to it's effectiveness and makes it one
of the best Of this or past seasons
productions
Prices soc. 75c. $1O0 and $3.50. Seats
now on sale.