Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1910-02-01
THE BARRIER, AT NEWARK
THEATRE, IS GOOD DRAMA
Well Balanced Cast Presents
Dramatization of Rex BeaCh's
Novel OF North.
GOOD VAUDEVILLE SHOWS
AT PROCTOR'S AND AMERICAN
Burlesque Houses Offer Clever
Bills-Productions at Co
lumbia and Arcade.

T is seldom that we find such a
splendidly balanced cast as appears
in 1.-THE Barrier" the stirring Tram
atization of Rex Beaoh's book of the
same name. hat is being presented at
the Newark Theatre this week. There
Is a simplicity about the acting of the
various characters that makes the most
dramatic moments decidedly plausible.
| Critical situations are met as they're
! met in real life, with a gravity that
tells of the realization of dangers near-
ness. There is a comforting absence
of melodramatic attitudes II ges-
lures,
Tho scene is laid in Alaska, in the
summer time. John Gale, a fugitive
from justice, has lived at the trading
post for eighteen years. When he was
young he loved a girl, n another
loved her, too. She married the other
and Gale went his way. One day h
wrote, asking Gale to come and take
her away from the others cruelty. The
other heard of her intention, quarreled
with her and killed her, telling the
authorities that Gale had committed
the crime. Taking the woman's little
girl Gale fed into The northern woods,
where he was rescued from starvation
and death by Ailuna, IN Indian woman.
At the time the action of the play be-
gins they are all living happily enough
in Alaska. The girl, who Is called Necia,
thinks the Indian woman is her own
mother.
When the United States Government
decides to send the law" into Alaska
Captain Burrell Is sent to take charge.
He falls In love with Neeia, and pro-
poses to her, only to back water
when she tells him that she is a half
breed. She goes to her father. and
heart-brokenly asks him why he mar
rled her mother, meaning Alluna. In
his confusion and desire to keep the
truth from her, he tells her that he
didn't; that in his day it wasn't the
style to marry Indians. This news
of course %confounds her. h feels that
she Is but a squaw. M the laughing
stock of all who know Of her love for
Burrell.
Burrell loves her nightly. but his
pride in his blue Kentucky blood and
his social position makes him hesitate.
Necia sees his uncertainty and re-
nounces him, upon which he finds him
self, and resolves to let his family go
hang" He tells Necia of his resolve,
but she has realized just how much
the sacrifice would mean to him, and
bids him go. This strained situation
reigns until the end, when her real
father, who has come north to pros
pect, and who is an excellent type of
cold-blooded bad man. is mortally
wounded by Gale in an encounter, for
which they have both been looking all
their lives. Dying, this man tells her
the truth. When he finds that her
blood is as pure as his own the vacil-
lating Burrell takes her into his arms,
also into the bosom of his proud and
'aughty family.
The character of John Gale, whose 49,
year fear of being caught has weak
ened his power over himself and others
and made hin afraid even when he
realized what should be done. is pre-
sented with simple dignity and force by
Theodore Roberts. w S. Hart gives
distinction to the role Of Dan Stark,
Necia's real father. His slow drawl
and deliberate movements make his
acting fascinating. Poleon, a young
French Canadian Necia's faithful
protector and lover, is played with fine
artistry by Alphonz Either. and. Guinio
oO1oto lohy SAfdShAo u
of the humor he imparts to his role OF
the one-eyed No Creek Lee.
Miss Rockwell Is one Of Newark's
fayorites. Her last appearance here
was as leading woman In The Round
Up" Her work in THE Barrier" Is of
a consistently high order. h brings
out the varying moods and emotions Of
his white girl who thinks she is a
half-breed with the sure, sincere
touches that tell of complete sympathy |
with the character she has to play.
Miss Abigail Marshall deserves COM
mendation for the big way in which
she sinks her own personality into that
of Alluna, the squaw.
Altogether. as ! said in the begin
ming, II Is one of the most ~splendidly
balanced casts we've ever seen.
ADELINE STANLEY CARRICK.