The Washington herald., 1910-09-27
THE BELASCO.
slMnrx James Pa


A large audience was present at the
Belasco Theater last night upon the
presentation OF Edith Ellis play. MARY
James Pa" with Max Figman and
Helene Lackaye in the principal roles.
The play is OF the kind usually referred
TO as pastoral. and is full OF pathos and
wholesome comedy. with interesting
character portraiture and exceeding
cleverness OF line. There is a problem
involved. It IS true, but the answer is
given at the close in unmistakable terms,
and the play. In the premises and con-
clusion, is decidedly healthy. II gives
untainted enjoyment during the progress
sion and satisfaction at the close.
The scene is laid at Gosport, In the
Middle West, with characters incidental
to that region. and with action occur
ring during an election. Hiram Perkins.
tramp printer, had eleven years be-
fore been seized with the wanderlust that
affects his species. and had left his wife
and two small children 10 shift for them
selves. and after tour OF the world. re-
turns 10 find hts wife running the Cour-
Ter newspaper and Job press in Gosport
with a fair degree OF success, and one
child almost grown 10 womanhoOd and
the other. Mary Jane. grown 10 that age
when almost all girls are innocent,
quaint. and lovable. The wife at first
invites him TO be gone, but suddenly
all work. which he as suddenly. as much
20 her surprise. accepts. and then really
begins the play.
There is a big political fight on. and
the Courier has espoused the cause OF
the young Democratic candidate, a man
who stands for legislative honesty and.
consequently. both paper and editor in
cur the enmity OF the rival candidate.
who is the political and financial auto
crat Of the district, representing the CO.
hOrts OF graft and political corruption.
Mrs. Perkins publishes a story about the
latter which ruins his political chances,
and he promptly, OF course. 'forecloses
the mortgage" but her ood-for-nothing
husbands book has been successful and
he stands ready with the funds. all OF
which is reminiscent. but enjoyably OBJ
SUI NA ~ lifG OL44cI t4tllEllS OF the
story. such as the incidents involving the
publication Of the story with her hus-
bands. and after the form had been pied
by her favoHte candidate with the best
Of intentions, the relations established
between the man and his children, the
working out Of the problem by the wife.
and above all. the delineation OF the TWO
dominant characters
The characters of Hiram Perkins and
his wife appeal from their absolute vir-
ility. Every one recognizes them. The
man OF fine intellect and good basic
quality. affected with a restlessness that
seems to dim their proper appreciation
Of manhood's responsibilities, until
brought to their senses by either a vio-
lent blow or a long period Of suffering.
The long suffering. energetic. and loyal
woman. who has no time TO whine but
gets up and hustles. and is too proud to
own, even to her own children, that there
had ever been anything wrong with the
man who had been responsible for a dec
ade OF struggle and sorrow.
Max Fisman plays the part OF Perkins
and he makes IL vivid and interesting
brilliant but irrespon-
sible fellow in the elements, but lovabIe
despite his failings. His facial express
sion Is remarkable. In fact. 1t would
hardly seem possible to better express
the idea of half shame. half boldness
than he does. He is also very effective
in the scenes with the child. Mary Jane.
and especially so when he tells her the
bird story, a kind Of allegorical recital
of his own career. This bit OF work, |
which is really his first good oppor,
tunity, should not be missed, for to pass
IL by would be TO lose one OF the best
character delineations OF several seasons.
Helene Lackaye is entitled to the same
terms OF encOmium. She we'll sustains
the reputation OF her family. The char
aeter is firmly drawn. and every re-
source Of pathos and emotion is exhaust
ed, and all Is accomplished with dignity. |
The two enaetments stand side by side
in interest and form the backbone Of the
drama
There is also a wealth OF character
drawing. minor in the story. but en-
tirely characteristic OF the locale. as. for
instance. Miss Faxon the village miIliner
and scandal monger. by Helen Hartley;
Eugene Mefrifeid. the foreman, by