The Washington times., 1909-01-12
The Easiest Way Finds
justification for Daring
Theme in Realism.
BEARS THE BELASCO
STAMP IN DETAILS
Miss Frances Starr Falls lust a
Little Short of Require
ments of Role.

N''h'+EE F'fE So fff the HfffEtfA sweet
sake of trutn which had better Eone
unsaid. that f. w. with considerable
trepldation f. learned Eugene
David Belasco ana Frances Starr.
had decided to sacrifice deIicacy to
realism in his new play. THE Easiest
Way"
IT is doubtful whether many who
saw this pay at the Belasco last even
ing stopped to consider the daring Of
the theme or relaxed interest long
enough to be repulsed at the brutal
frankness c. the picture. In that the
latest Belasco production must find its
justification.
1t must be admitted that 1.-THE Easiest
Way is not a pleasant play. Many
viii be able TO see no excuse for its
existence. Those who view the stage
as a teacher or as a legitimate pur-
veyor 81 amusement viii not sympa-
thize with this effort. To those alone
who believe that a truthful depletion Of
any phase Of life IS sufficient excuse
for the employment OF means that could
hardly be justified on other grounds viii
THE Easiest Way appeal, but to these
it will mark one OF the mile stones Of
the current dramatic season.
Concerned most deeply in the produc-
ton are Eugene Walter, the author,
David Belasco. the producer, and Miss
Frances Starr, the leading lady.
Belasco Touches in Evidence.
Of this triumvlrate Mir. Belasco stands
out as one whose work has practically
been completed and whose handiwork
r--.a E.srH
pTovas. When David BeIasco lends his
aid to a new venture much that would
otherwise be tentative rounds cut into
permanency before the opening per
Torrance. ALE the discOuragemenrs Of
scenic investituTe that hits wide Of the
mark are eliminated. And in THE
Easiest Way" the master hand of David
Belasc0 hides many Crudiues OF both the
play and the acting which are inevitable
IN new production.
A Western scene that breathes the
spirit of the canyons. a sunset that is as
truly work Of art as q painting or a.
poem, room IN "a typical shabby gem
tceI Gotham boarding house. as care
fully planned as the magnificent picture
OF the Ute pass-thesc are some of the
conceptions of David Belasco.
Not only in carefully planned scenes
IS ar. Beiasco IN evidence. but much
more so ia those significant bits of stage
business which do more by suggestion
tuau could the lines by careful eEDIans-
uOH 10 touch the keynote of a situation
one example VIII suffice and perhaps
the most striking IS the use Of music
70 SOUND the MOTIF Of each act The
strains OF a piano played 10y the old
fashioned method OF using ten fingers
draws John Madison into the house I'M
Jne hTsI act lust as Old-fashioued love
grounded on ralthfulness TO one man
only draws him TO Laura Murdoch de
spite uer uusaFgrg past Symbolic
OF me taWdry surroundings iu that s'zar-
ond-stoTy back are the notes of the
street piano The aru1CiaIity or eE-
lnstence I'm Miss MurdoCk'g APARTMENTS
ia fashionable hotel, furnished nv
Brockton, is typlded by q pianola. and
" %I. IN. convention p. and truth and honor
IS more diSc0rdaut than the notes from
a brass band iu the street below
Story Is Convincing.
Washington theatereoars interested IN
this play are by this time couversaut
with the story Il IS the story of a
Woman.s descent from her high estate
by gradual bat sure steps to depravftv.
It is an epic og the old, old struggle Of
a love OF ease and the stimulus of life
Ia great city with the love Of a man.
Not the inherent weakness of the yyo-
man, bat the distorted viewpoint of the
Broadway procession coupled with Tie
force Of circumstances, overoaIaucas 81
determination 10 lead "a life of drronr7-
as "a picture or phase of butterfly
existence lu New York the pIav rings
true ana the plot DIS worked ONT win,
dramatic intensity. 1t does not seem
7 aturs that TWO people VINO had inst
nttluru 10 I'VE down the past together
#..
aiiu etaH "'Ik our Hls salvation alone
The righteousness of this EEesrerreT- who
mas seen the seauE side of life and who
looks 20 Dc more OF "a man of the world
-.'.tl LLo-hloh- The rich New Yorker.
seems pFeToTaWN. But care must DE
exercised lT judging a play Of fhis kind
nor 70 attribute the unTealuess CT the
ne the author attempts to draw TO an
lhhteittL iauli or the play itself Daring
as IS inc tucue- 10 never approaches tho
luoTbidness of French problem DIHy
ON me other hand IL is a type of Tie
newer American dEama-strong 7frTa
ana anouudHg in pungeut lines.
Unsuited to Role
THE Easiest Way" is an the more
If q success fn that it shines dasnfte
acting that in two cases is Inadequate
though far from bad. Having accorded
uustlnted praise 90 AIR. Walter and Mr.
BelaSco. st would be q pleasure to Dar
q tribute to Miss starr. who has nearly
a. large r. following in Washington as
aliAeF- Miss Starr deserves credit for
leI ambition To play "a role which would
make great demands ON an actress
much older TN experience So far rs the
technique of acting goes Miss Starr
measures up % her par. Eu this play. In
7lLualiDA- requiring real dramatic
,D"'ir 7llg l---I7 Just % little short OF
the requirements TeurnraruenfaTEV
3