The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-04
LAST NIGHT AT THE
LOCAL PLAYHOUSES
THE NATIONAL.
"The BuIIder of Bridges.',


One of the really interesting plays of
the season is 1.-The Builder OF Bridges"
by Alfred Sutro. which was heard for the
first time in this city at the National
Theater last night, with Kyrle Bellew in
the principal role.
In general effect the play is a study of
womanly duty; in specific instance it is a
study as to what extent a woman's idola-
trous love for an only brother should be
allowed TO AFFECT her relations with other
men, 1t is singularly interesting. both
from the nature Of the question discussed
and the high quality Of the acting dis
played. The perfunctory happy ending
detracts from the quality OF the drama,
and doubt is left in the mind as 10
whether a woman so quick and proficient
in dUplicity could be true to anything for
any reasonable length of time, It is evil
dent that one of the gentlemen practiced
upon had serious doubts at one period, at
least. and as 10 the other we have no
means OF knowing what ne thought
about it, so thoroughly is he eliminated
from the problem az the close.
Dorothy Faringay, an orphan living
with an aunt. Mrs. Debney. and engaged
to Walter Gresham, rather lovable fell
low. discovers that her idolized brother,
Arnold Faringay, has stolen $500
from the firm with which he is employed
and lost the same I'm bucket-shop transac-
tons, the amount having been obtained
by classifying certain vouchers relating 10
a bridge building job upon which his
friend, Edward Thursfield, was engaged.
She casts about for some way out Of the
difficulty. and hearing that Thursheld
was about to go to Switzerland for rest,
she likewise goes to that country. meets
him, and makes him fall in love with her,
trusting 10 use her power over him in
| fixing up the account all entirely without
| reference TO the fact that she was en-
| gagged to another man. who really.
throughout the play, seems disposed TO
/ do about all an honorable and reasonable
man could do under the circumstances.
/ OF course. the inevitable happens, the
murder is out, and the strong scene OF
the play ensues when the bridge builder
| discovers that he has been dUped: but
here, according TO Mr.. Sutro, enters an
other element into the transaction, and
the heroine discovers that she does not
love her first afflanced at all. but in
reality has found the right man in the
! gentleman whom she had played upon.
and really spoils a very pretty scene by
coming 10 his apartments, at midnight
after his bachelor friends had departed,
announcing that love. and contracting 10
go out to Rhodesia with him, he having
given his word to Sir Henry Killick. his
| employer and friend, that he would de-
part in the morning for that far country
and throw a bridge across some swift
| flowing river.
1t would have been a pretty thing 10
have seen these three bacheIors-Sir
Henry, sixty years OF age. and minated
/ through intent and philosophy; Peter Hol-
/ land. the homily clerk, and Edward
| Thursfield the handsome engineer, each
about forty. and each having played the
game and lost, all go of in their respec-
/ tive directions, with the woman thrown
altogether out Of the equation. However.
( the demand for a pleasant ending must
! be acceded 10. and after having gone so
! far. the present ending is about the only
/ one that the author could have furnished
/ There is much good character depletion in
the play and some clever comedy, fur
nished principally by the elder characters
The argument Is bound to provoke
thought. and consequently must ensue
discussion and interest, and when a play
has the power of so acting on the mind
It must be rated as decidedly worth
while.
Mr.. Kyrle BeIlew as Edward Thurs.
field gives notable delineation, as usual
While probably denied the fame of beinl
a great actor, he imparts a grace ant
finish to his work that raises IL far above
mediocrity, HIS Characterization cara,
from the head rather than from tn,
heart, yet his charming personality I:
sufficient 10 give the Interpretation
warmth. He never seeks to carry tn.
emotional element high. and consequently
there is never a false note struck. Tht
impression is given of reserve force. anC
altogether his performance is Of interest
Miss Gladys Hanson plays the opposIt,
role in much the same manner yet. Of
course, with the feminine proclivities
She IS beautiful woman with an epeag
ing personality. and her acting disclose,
the presence Of high intelligence. Eueen,
O'Brien is entirely effective as Arnold
Faringay, the erring brother; Frank Con,
nor equally so as Walter Gresham. Fin,
character sketches are presented by
Ernest Stallard, as Peter Holland, anG
De Witt Jennings. as Sir Henry Kelleck
and last mentioned, but not last in re.
gard, is Mrs. Thomas WhifTen. as Mrs
Debury' the aunt, who gives a breezy
impersonation and affords the most re,
freshing comedy relaxation, as usual