Evening star., 1909-06-15
A N U S E N e rs.
Belasco.

Preston Gibson's play. Success" was
presented to the public for the first time
on any stage at the Beasco Theater last
night. and to an audience that might
have turned the head of any playwright.
Not only was Washington society repre-
sented most bountifully. but the enthu-
siasm maintained throughout the evening
was such as is seldom witnessed during
the regular season over plays that have
an established standing and undoubted
merit. Judged from the verdict of his
first audience. Mr.. Gibson's play may
write its name, Success on its visiting
card.
Success" is described by the author
as a modern play In three acts. It's lead
ing theme is the rise of young south
erner. Douglas Thompson, from the finan-
cial failure brought on by a life of in
difference and idleness to the glory Of
success both in the financial world alS
Alne Anderson. whose mamma has des-
tined her for rich man only. In his
efforts Thompson encounters opposition
in an unprincipled scoundrel. Frederick
Winthrop. who Is not only the favorite
of the designing mamma, and with her
influence and the assistance Of pitiable
creature. a clergyman named DR..
Snickar. pushes his suit to the point of
engagement. but diverts himself in the
meanwhile by robbing Dave Denny.
Helen Johnson. also a ward of Thomp-
son, and then casting her OF In q brutal
way just as she has become a mother,
without I'm any way permitting the incl
Anderson's hand 1t may be said In be-
half OF the clergyman that there was
time in the play when conscience seemed
to be dawning. and he weakly insisted
upon the proof of the death OF Helen
before permitting Winthrop to continue
his quest for Aline. but he was quickly
soothed with the clipping OF her death
notice from a newspaper and permitted
the game to go on. His pliabieness was
accounted for by the fact that he had
for him in Wall street.
Thumpson's rise to success in the f1nan-
cial world was not due to any extraor-
dinary efforts on his part, as the play
disclosed 1t. He and Dave Denny owned
some coal lands. and 1t was by organ
izing company to work them, getting
the stock listed and then securing control
after a bear movement on the part. of
Winthrop that he became rich. His
riches won over mamma. AIine was al
ready won and in a spirited manner re-
pudiated Winthrop even before 1t was
disclosed that Helen. his wife. was still
In the land Of the living. These are the
elements Of the play. There is a couple
introduced, a man and wife, William and
Agnes Parr. evidently with a purpose
when originally created. but scarcely nee
essary in the final development worked
out by the author.
of Douglas Thompson at Hampton, Va,
then the property OF Winthrop, who has
come down for short stay with a house
party consisting of Mrs. Anderson and
Aline, Parr and his wife and the clergy
man. 1t is during this time that Thomp-
son meets and falls in love with Aline
and she with him. He Is just about to
declare himself when Mrs Parr butts In.
Later Winthrop meets Helen and makes
short shrift Of her. leaving her shocked
state Thompson finds her, takes her in his
arms and seeks to quiet her as we'll as
to find the cause of her excitement, when
Aline through an open window discovers
promptly repudiates Thompson. The scene
shifts to New York. Despite his throw
down at Hampton the second act finds
Thompson. as we'll as Winthrop. guest
at Mrs. Andersons house. and closes with
strong scene In which Thompson de-
clares his purpose to get rich and marry
Aline. The third act. strangely enough.
opens in the same room. with Winthrop
virtually begging Thompson not to crush
him financially. In this act Winthrop's
out to avenge her ill-treatment and
Thompson and Aline receive mamma 8
blessing.
Mr. Gibson has made but little attempt
10 De original cltOeT ln0 COQCepIlOn OK
his plot, the creation OF his characters
or the writing of his lines The construc-
tion OF his play is crude in many respects,
but there are no defects which time.
thought and patience cannot remedy; and
the encouragement given him last night
will doubtless stimulate the young author
to renewed endeavor until he eventually
does achieve success.
Mr.. Either made a very good young
southerner as Douglas Thompson. Quiet.
dignifed and intense, his creation was a
very agreeable one. Miss Burt was per-
haps less happy in hers. Mr.. Northrup
was not a satisfactory villain. Miss Belle
Howell Bohn as Aline's mother was dis
tinctly success, and SO, indeed. in their
way, 1t may be said, were Hallett Bos-
worth as Dave Denny and Frederick
Powell as Rev. DR.. Smoker. Carl Ger
ard as William Parr did we'll. and so
did Merceita Esmonde as Mrs. Parr. Ethel
Grey Terry as the luckless Helen was
excellent In the first act. but hardly as
effective later on. Arthur Ellsworth as
Hoffman, a servant. filled his humble role
adequately and satisfactorily.
At the close of the second act the ap-
plause was so great that Mr.. Either fairly
dragged the young auLnor to the foot
lights where In a neat speech he thanked
his audience. the players and particularly
Mr. Hadffeld the stage manager, who had
been of great assistance.
The play was prettily mounted and the
lighting effects, especially In the first act,
were fine.