The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-01-08
n Present Shape, ''kassa'
Is Too Long for One
Evening.
AUDIENCE FORCED
TO MISS ENDING
Star Has Only Opportunities in
Third and Fourth Acts, and
End Is Spoiled.

FINALLY putting ana end 60 al oNas-
peTstIug delays, Airs, Leslie Carter Iasl
night, at The New National Thearer.
. succeeded i'm presenting 10 the Washing
ton playgoeTs her new pIaE, "NaSsa,
from the pen OF john Luther Long.
Though scheduled TO begin promptly
at s p. M with the warning that all late
eomers would be held from their seats
The curtain did not rise until $50. This.
coupled with the TACT that there were
five long acts with longer intermissious,
sent many from the thCHter before the
final curtain, and the star was sub
jected 10 the handicap OF playing before
half empty house.
Many things viii have to be done TO
the new play of Mr.. Long before its
management should dare TO brave either
New York or the provinces" The Car
ter forces now face The question. VIII
al audience sit through five hours and
the major portion of another sixty min
uJes 20 enjoy two or three brief periods
OF Mrs. Carers characteristic emotional
acting?
Few Carter Moments.
Ina these two or three Carter moments
is furnished the only real enjoyment the
play affords aside from The pleasure
the public finds in the scenic beauties OF
the production. one does not need To
know that Mrs. Carter is Ct the EeIasco
school when the curtain rises ON that
ifst act showing the convent OF 81
Lauka. Ii Is "a BeIasco early hour be-
fore the dawn and then follows the reg
rlation Belasc0 sunrise. Here il mfeIS
bee said the BelasCo results end. Tho
convent ar ST Lauka makes a good
opening and close TO the performance
AS 10 the play itself Mrs Garter M.
Long, ana their assistants rn1rar .71
-Iuch before il can be expected to live.
IL IS SO long, that when lhe curtain
-est TOT the third act near 1890
% clock, and Mrs. Carter was looIfnc
more the carter OF old and promising
some or the thrills and sensations of
TIE Heart of Maryland and "Zaza 30.
Eiotps OF AeT patrons were already Igzy-.
ms In the third and fourth acts Mrs
'afleT ls az her best. Even then fha
audience was leaving iB small squads.
ana the ending was spoiled.
Story From Hungary.
I'm seeking material Ror his new play
AIR. Long reached far away into Hum
gary and brought back a story that
from first 70 last is depressing. gloomy
and unhealthy. lie opens his book all
a convent where a young veslaI virgin.
The Prlma Kassa. has conceived a mad
desire TO 90 out into the world beyond
the LillE. and see ID for one day bEfo-a
having the doors OF her cell close on her /
forever. There IS "a real villain. though
He speaks poetry who appeErs iu the
person o. young Prince Bella. and This
youth immediately euQeaE0rs TO urT-
suale Inc nun 10 go with him. and
ste what these matters OF life and love
may be. IN this scene particularly Airs
carter could work herself great advan-
taSe pE cutting away fully half the
lines. So much is said and said SO often
that for a time all hope OF an intelligent
ending vauisnes.
The Good Acts.
Do the third and fourth acts. Nasss
finds herself the deserted wife Of The
reckless young prince The audience
meets the Garter of old. The situations
ale intense. the acting spirited, and the
effect tlrlIuE. II the play is 10 live
81 viii be because Mrs. Garter makes the
most OF these particular opportunities.
Her attempt 20 save her prince lover I
bF cfferlHE % set OUT through the win /
dow. and in the dim light De mistaken
bT the Euart ana shot down as the es- /
Gaping mau rt calls '"THe Heart Of Mary I
land Her struggle with the chaucaI-l
f8I. g. near villain recalls more OF sHai
past Ar-er these two ECeGHE-Werg EI|
not Tor Song wait for the fifth acf /
which lasts but few minutes, when il|
'cmef-the audience might file ont for /
getting Inat Mrs. Carter had ever been
away nom the stage
Briefly, Mrs. Carriers new play la lu
crying need ~ gFerlagllE. when tlatI
has been accomplished. it viii present
an entirely new problem no the critic.
end require an entirely new Judgment