The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-07-05
AT THE THEATERS
THE BELAsCO.
"The PaIace of Truth.


''The Place Of Truth" was a castle in
the air last night. for the Ben Greet
Players have moved to the cooler and
more delightful atmosphere Of the Be
lasco Theater roof. where the audience
was swept by cool breezes last night. and
enjoyed real novelty in the shape OF
Washingtons first roof garden theater.
That the change was highly appreciated
was evidenced by the large number Of peo-
pie who came to take advantage of the
opportunity to be amused and keep cool
at the same time.
Manager l.. Stoddard Taylor and Mr..
Greet having laid their heads together
for the benefit OF their patrons. have GER
tainly struck the popular fancy. ana de-
serve full credit for having devised some
thing that hasn't been tried before.
A stage has been erected at the eastern
end of the long roof. a veritable forest
or foliage being introduced 10 form the
background. There is plenty Of room for
the chairs, and wide aisles between. with
a spacious promenade at the back The
big audience that was present last night
augurs well for the success of the enter
prise. considering the many counter at
fractions of the Fourth Of July During
the week the Belasco roof garden theater
should be the mecca of amusement
seekers.
No pains have been spared 10 make this
! spot attractive, and every one who has
/ suffered from the heat of the interior
OF the theaters 10 summer will be glad
that Washington has gone in for the roof
garden fad. which It's more pretentious
sister cities have enjoyed for years. 1t
Is to be hoped that the aerial play will
become a fixture. since it combines com
fort with pleasure so admirably.
The Palace OF Truth is Just the kind
OF play that is best adapted TO out
door presentation. and is in Gnbert's
best style-whimsical. literary. and ex-|
trenely witty. The idea of an environ
merit in which every one must speak the
truth, whether he will or no. furnishes
a chance foy SOME amusing episodes,
which, in the capable and experienced
hands Of the Greet Players. are as artis-
tic as they are funny.
Mr.. Greet was cast as the sly old King
Phanor. and Miss Mills was very good
indeed as his jealous spouse. Miss Violet
Vivian. as the Princess Zeolide. was
vision OF loneliness, and acted in her
usual charming manner. Her sister. Miss
Ruth, as Arena. brought out all the
points or part representing a coquette,
who. under the influence Of the spell Of
the palace OF truth, dIyulges the secrets
or her artifice.
There is a great temptation TO praise
these two talented sisters 10 the point
of being suspected Of exaggeration, but
one never tires of their delightful youth
fulness, the fervor Of their efforts AMI
their many-sided charm And above all,
they have that facility, lacking in al
most every other stock company per-
former. OF subordinatng personality 10
the assumed character, and thus avoid
becoming monotonous 70 the patrons who
see them week after week.
Mr.. Greet read with a good deal OF
JUNCTION and seemed to appreciate fully
the requirements of bis part, and She
scenes in which Mr.. Crawley and Mr.
Seymour appeared were excruciatlngly
funny. Both acted with animation and
discretion. Mr.. T. Yeadaker was the
prince, and beyond a slight tendency
toward declamatory delivery. was other
wise satisfactory. Miss Ethel Van de
Veer has done no better work during
the engagement than her acting as Mira
Both Mr.. Hopkins and Mr.. Grayle were
well cast, and gave able characterize
tons of courtiers OF King Phanor
W O.