Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-21
AM U S E N is.
Belasco Theater.

Washington witnessed another produc-
ton of a new play last night at the Be-
lasco Theater. The i'll rehearsed exhibit
ton of nervousness so often to be en-
countered in a first night on any
stage" presentation was entirely alb
sent. The performance of The Bach
elor' displayed evidences of careful
preliminary polish and was revealed 10
the audience as a smooth succession OF
simple incidents which. without working
up to any situation Of striking power. de-
veloped complications of constant interest
and sympathetic appeal. Charles Cherry
played the title role. He has none OF the
heroic moments of the conventional ORA
ma. He rushes into no burning buildings
to save the child nor does he plunge into
tank to rescue a drowning woman. His
muscular, clean-cut personality suggests
that he would conduct himself with PIC
turesque efficiency in episodes of physi-
cal peril, but there are none for him IN
this play. The test which confronts him
is one of the most delicate to which chiv-
airy could be subjected. A young woman.
attractive and we'll bred, has, through the
brother, seemed to throw herself at her
employers head-to leave him no alter
native except to marry her or break her
heart. He meets the situation with per-
functory proposal of marriage in the first
act. which is rejected in the second when
she learns of his hollow courtesy, and re-
newed in the third with the convincing
ardor of genuine affection.
The bachelor of this particular story Is
one of the numerous reincarnations of
rimony advocate, Benedick. We have
observed him as the middle-aged profess
sor. the devoted bookworm. and in a
score of other aspects This time he
appears as a matter-Of-fact stock brok-
er. whose Office is one of those delightful
places known only to the stage, where
people never intrude on business. 1t Is
given up entirely to the transaction OF
affairs of personal purport, and even the
dctation at the typewriter is cleverly
made to serve as a means of declaring
an undying attachment. Mr.. Cherry
plays the part in manner which is
sprightly. without being effervescent.
He develops the comedy without falling
into methods of an ultra farcical char
acter, such as would destroy a fragile
but exceedingly pretty thread of senti-
ment. So entirely foregone conclusion
is the ultimate capitulation of your
interest is certain to attach to the
methods by which the Beatrice of the
occasion manages. through force of
chance or her own connivances, to bring
him to realizing sense Of his common
humanity.
The role of Millicent Rendell is Of essen
tial Importance. and portrayed by Ruth
Mayclfne is a charming revelation Of
feminine moods. Miss Maycliffe is never
artificial. Her personality Is the more i'm
pressive because it is so frankly simple
and the scenes in which girlish affection
struggles with womanly pride are delight
full bits Of mingled fun and pathos. Miss
Maycliffe manages to be ingenious with
out dropping into the stereotyped methods
Of the ''ingenue.'
The cast is a competent one each men,
Der bestowing touch of human nature to
the story. Even Charles Latte, as the
gawky Office boy, manages to utilize few
seconds Of time on the stage now and
then to contribute some ripples of laugh
ter to the constant flow of quiet merri-
ment. The play is one of the most whole
some and natural of the many produced
by Clyde Fitch Whether or not it has the
breadth of humor or the sensational force
to make it sweeping popular success,
there is no question Of its being a worthy
memento of the talents of that always
clever playwright.