The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-01-19
Initial Verdict Passed on Ma
tional Offering Whole
Hearted Endorsement.
WELL-KNOWN TRIO
IN STELLAR ROLES
Kyrle Bellew, Herbert Kelley, and
Miss Shannon Find
Warm Welcome.

THE Thief" quIckeued into long life
b. the reused favor of Paris, London,
and New York, was disclosed To Wash
ingt0n last night at the National The
alter An audience not surprising in
numbers but OF unusual social brillianCe
heard it and passed upon il an initial
verdict OF whOIe-hearted Endorsement
for the Capital. The engagement prom
ises to be OF distinct dramatic and So
cial Importance To the local season.
For two years the dramatic correspond
enCe OF France. England. and America
has discussed this play. AS the first Of
fering Of "a daring and resoUrcefUI play
wrighU-HenTi Bernstein has since
proven his title clear to those adjectives
lit was received with some wonder
But its lasting favor has depended upon
qualities of inherent strength, according
10 the reviews of other capitals. and
now according To our Washington iudg-
ment upon qualities OF inherent strength
and remarkable interpretations.
Three actors distinguish the company
which has come TO Washiugt0n-AIr.
BelleW, Mr. Kelley and Miss shannon.
IN London these roles were acted
By Mr.. George Alexander. Miss Irene
Van Brough. and Mr.. Dion Bouci-
cault- one change has been made
I'm the American company since its New
York prodUction-the substitution of
Miss Shannon for Miss Margaret Hing
ton. Otherwise that company, like this,
consisted Of Mr. Bellew, Mr.. Kelley.
Miss Isabel Richards, Mr.. Sidney Her
bert. and SIR. Edward O'Brien. The
three actors last named are so capable
that the product is easily superior TO
that of many aII-star casts brought to
Washington with great blowing of
trumpets.
Weight on Mr.. BelIew.
on these seven actors but on the
three first named in particular falls
the task of uncoveriug a series OF
thefts in a chateau outside Paris A
detective, acted 10y Mr.. Herbert with
real discretion, puts the guilt upon the
grown son of the host and hostess,
acted in turn by Mr.. O'Brieu. Mr..
Kelley, and Miss Richards Actually,
1t belongs upon the woman of two
guests, acted by Miss shannon. whose
husband, acted by Mr. BelleW. is an
ola and affeCtiOuateIy regarded friend
10 The host The discovery is made by
the womau's husband I'm their b0udoir
after the son of the host has been ac-
cused. Then follows the struggle be-
tween the woman 10 save her love at
any cost and the man 20 determine the
exact degree Of her SHINING and the
would move the young boy To take
upon himself the consequence of mar
rled WOman's thieEiuE
The atmosphere IS peculiarly agreeable
10 the acting o. Mr.. BelleW and Mr..
Kelley. Both have developed far the
stimulation or emotion under the re-
straints OF good breeding Both have
mdnneTlsmS which make their appear
auc6 In costumes other than the for
mai attire Of geuJIefOlk OF our own time
a little smilaDle- But Within those linn
stations II would De hard 10 slrpass
these two men, and as tuls highly dTa-
matte story unfOlCed last night, their
reading and their bearing alike appear
ed TO be faulLless- The warm pleasure
which lies In seeing counterpart or
associate roles in the hands OF actors
both competent was frequently given
last night by these Two men.
Each Act Natural Climax
II. Bernstein has made each act nat
urai and unTorced climax and he has
braved the traditions SO FAR as 10 assign
his second act, the very axis OF his plot
20 only two characteristic chief and
her husband. In the bOudoir outside
their sleeping room the one is boy en-
tl-ely natural circumstance revealed lu
her crime To- the other There follows
long emo extremely difficult scene
one OF the speeches for the woman con-
AuIues eight minutes. Device. pleading.
desperation just short OF leaElUE from
the window, and almost iucessaut talk
are all required OF Miss shannon The
wonder IS that amy woman can go
through 10 all night after night for
week. Miss Ellington would not under
take g. after the New York season of
This company and u Is said Of the
French leading lady that she could not