The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-11-10

In Sir Arthur W. Pinero's play, Mid Channel" Ethel Barrymore has proved herself an artist of breadth and power little suspected heretofore by a large following of theatregoers who have en- joyed her impersonations of fascinating and highly temperamental young women, without any great depth of feeling-quite apart from those morasses of the soul which playwrights are so busy nowadays sounding with more or less success Miss Barrymores performance at the Jefferson theatre last night was revelation and she carried herself superbly through four acts of play which called for the heights and depths of emotionalism, in a somber atmosphere that was relieved by scarcely one Illuminating ray,
 There is not much happiness in the con |ception, the narration and the denoue- ment of Mid Channel" It is relentless even to the point of shattering the last slender hope of something above the muck, something ennobling-the faithful ness of woman sorely tried. For even that hope is dissipated. The wife owns herself no better than her husband in morals and suicide seemed to be a fit ting conclusion.
 Mid -Channel' could hardly be called a brilliant play. The lines do not scin- tillate with wit, nor are they deeply im- bued with philosophy. They simply tell a story that is a terrific arraignment, a ruthless laying bare of souls that are scorched in the fires of passion. Only one character appeals to ones liking, and he is somewhat cynical, bachelor and a man of the world who tries to re- unite a hopelessly disunited pair.
 Just as there is a place in the English channel. midway between Folkstone and Boulogne, where everyone on board ship becomes a victim of nal de mer and Is quite ready to snap his fingers in the face of fate and believes no good of any man, vexed with himself and those about him, so had Theodore Blundall and his wife, Zoe, reached a stage in their mar ried life when each others society seemed to be intolerable. They grate on each other seemingly beyond endurance. The result is series of quarrels termi- mating in separation, but not divorce. He shortly consoles himself with fast companions and woman of rather un- certain reputation. The wife makes a continental tour and Is trailed by one of her '.tame robins," who eventually over takes her and creates a scandal. Blun- dar tires of his new companion and Zoe, finds herself weary of the tame robin," Leonard Farris A reconciliation is about to be effected. Blundali confesses to his wife that he has had an affair She forgives him and in turn acknowledges her escapade with Ferris. Manlike the husband holds her to strict accounting, and when she confesses that she Is guilty of wrong-doing he will not forgive her.
 The finale is brief and tragic Zoe re- turns to Ferris, Is surprised by her hus- band in Ferris apartments and while her future is being discussed, throws herself to death from a nearby balcony.
 It is not a pleasant story, but 1t is true and it depicts certain phases of life in way that Is startlingly accurate, pre- senting for our inspection characters who might possibly have been more worthy of our admiration under luclIier stars, but we can't tell about that. Perhpas the only moral we can draw is, Tt is better not to be born that way" in which re- hection there is small comfort.
 Miss Barrymore reveals herself in this play an artist who is done with namby- pamhy parts. One could almost think her capable of any reach of emotional ism; if not now. in the early future. She has achieved a new triumph. Charles Dalton, an actor of fine ability was par ticularly convincing as Blndall and he made the part thoroughly in keeping with its sordid and unlovely purpose. H. Reves-Smith as the Hon. Peter Mot tram, the kindly-disposed cynic, acquit- ted himself in excellent fashion. Eugene O'Brien as Leonard Ferris played the tame robin" in a way that made him an unquestonable cad. The minor parts of the cast were in capable hands.
 Miss Barrymore will conclude her en- gagement here with a performance to- night