The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-03-22
Good Acting Can't Quite Re-
deem Impossible Play
\ At BelaSco.
MAKES HIT
in A NEW FIELD
"A Son of the People" Too Wordy
Other Excellent Actors
Under Handicap.
By ]. R. HILDEBRAND.

just a hint Of a Fool There Was" in
the picturesque setting Of the French
revolution was the mental effect pro-
duced by a Son Of the People
The play was written in Danish by
SOphus Nichaelis, adapted by Stephen
Jvor Sz:anyey and staged by J. c. Hof-
man. OF these three Mr.. Hoffman de-
served the most credit
In the cast at Ihe BelascO were such
notable actors as john Mason, George
F6wcett. and Miss Katharine Kaelred.
Others not so well known might have
won a reputation for themselves had
they done half SO well in more worthy
play. As it was, their light was hidden
under the several bushels of words that
envelop the story.
Seldom has 80 much good material
been warped out Of 81 shape and pro-
portion. and so many Characterization
set at cross purposes as in a Son Of
the People"
Story Of Play.
In the month Of FIoreaI of the year
II. April. 1888. 10 be exact, Ernest des
Tressailles rode to the chateau Trion-
Vile near Condo, 10 claim for his bride
daughter IF Frances choicest aristo-
cracy The marriage had been arranged
years before by the parents Of Des Tres
saiilCs and Alaine dc LEstoile. The
ceremony was performed in the chateau.
Events marched fast IN those times and
iu a few hours the JaCooins had gained
possession Of the castle and the
"emiEre" bridegroom had been con-
Gemusd 20 death. Through the inter
ccssiou of Colonel Marc-Arrou. of the
invading party. his life was spared UNI
Ii. the following day SO that the couple
might have their bridal night
In that night the uoblcman proved
himself a coward, Narc-Arron sacri-
feed honor. career. and death under the
spell of Alainc's pleading Dressed in
the Jacobin's uniform TressaiIIcs
passed the sentrys and Marc-Arron
STAYED.
When the colonel failed to claim the
payment for which AIaine thought he
made the sacrifice the bride began 10
love him. Calling his comrades. Marc
AKRON gave himself up and declared he
would not seek 20 escape pavInz the
price of his treachery on the morrow
Moutaloup was SO impressed by the
courage of bis colonel that he offered
q reprieve him, but Narc-Arron re-
used In a final love scene the con-
demned man said farewell TO the bride
When the time Of execution had al
most come the news was brought that
Des Tressailles had been shot and
AiarC-Arron was saved for mar
slaIS sword
john Mason was Marc-Arron. Walter
hale played the nobIemau and Miss
ae.red was Alaiue. MoutaIoup COM
landing officer Of the JacObin party,
as acted by George Fawcett.
Acting Good.
Each OF these roles was portraved
it'll striking historical exactit1de and
"a
r. but could not save, the play. The
OF, impossible as It was. was befogged
zen more I'm the telling and II was
Othed in strained metaphors and at
mes meaningless figures Of speecb
there was explanation upon eynIana-
ion ir the midst Of the most dramatic
Genes and they failed to explain.
The breaking down Of Dcs T-csgai17as
the face of death was natural br-f
re audience had not been urepareI
r the weakening OF NarC-A~ron and
re cause was not clear. The reason
II the Jacooin's sacrifice was confused
nd the obtUseuess of Alaiue IN refus-
GE 10 see that he faced death in her
husband place was remarkable. And
she had opened the underground
oassageway for her husbands escaDe
IN the first act there might not have
been a play. but that was the ONLY
plausible explanation for Eer failure
A maid was played by Miss Marion
Eallou, as vel as the part deserved
This young woman sCrCeChed in fear at
one moment, made a heroic attempt 20
Capitulate with the conquerers i'm nor
mistress behalf. and then furnished
comedy relief that had no part in
the story.
John Mason.
The man who cast John Mason In 4
. heroic rOic displayed great reckIessness
or wonderful acumen. That actors
methods are the apothcosis of the mod
ern realistic school, and seem opposed.
II every stage, to romantic methods.
IT he proved that romantic roles need
IT be portrayed with the heroics Of
0bert Mantel. His Characterization
1s simple, forceful, ana convincing
'en the action was not too strained.
at other excellent actor, George
twcett, made of Citizen NI6ntaIoup a
araCteT That VIII Zee remembered for
long While hy any one vino saw him
ilSs Katharine Eaelrcd brought TO
Seml-EamplTe role ueT experience
~ Fool There Was and was won
~fUllv effective except when she was
Ide 10 talk of rainbOWs that might
me Gown from the skies 10 make q
IN for her waist and Drattle other
JetC UCuscnse in the face Of her low
: impending death.
The corrert historical setting was
ont the best feature Of the play The
ririt of Frances revolution was typi-
q with cNaCutude-