The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-22
LAST NIGHT AT LOCAL PLAYHOUSES
THE BEIASCo.
John Mason in "a SON of the PEG
pIeO

John Mason In "a Son of the Peo-
pie"
"A Son of the People" in which John
Mason appeared at the Belasco Theater
last night. is a play of the French Rev
olution, at that period when the emil
grant mobiles. encouraged by the prom
ise Of assistance from Austria and other
German states. had begun to return 20
French soil In general tendency. it is
melodramatie with atmospheric condi-
tons, characters. and. indeed, some
scenes instantly reminding one of Victor
HuS9's ''Ninety-three." and with a cen
trail incident closely resembling that of
Dickens Tale of Two Cities
Aiaine de rEstolle, daughter of the
noble family of Triovelle has remained
in France during the bloody years of
the revolution. and with the incoming
emmigres comes Ernest des Tressailles.
her afianced from childhood. and before
he advances with the Bourbon adher-
ents a few hours are snatched from duty
for the wedding, but the festivities are
interrupted by The advance of the re-
publican army and the Eruption upon
the scene of a coarse and noisy crew
Of Jacobins. The bridegroom is seized
and. being adjudged in arms against his
native country, ne is sentenced TO IN
slant death, but at the Intervention OF
Marc-Arron, a republican officer, the ex-
ecution Of the sentence is deferred until
s o'clock of the following morning. dur
ing which respite the young aristocrat
hfwqcaTf n he IN NJ I'D
but, nevertheless. the young bride de-
termines to save him at any cost; and,
sending for Marc-Arron, she pleads for
his Intervention. which he declares i'm
possible, but upon her touching his hand
the whole character of his rugged re-
pubiicanism is changed.
He changes uniforms with the noble
man and gives directions to aid him in
escaping. and then resigns himself 10
his fate. which is to be, in fact, accord
ing 10 his expressed expectations. a few
brief hours of love with the lady ana
death at sunrise. But this tragic antici-
patton is changed into a happy ending
by the detection and death OF the escap-
ing bridegroom. The whole play is full
Of interesting Incidents, and the atmos-
pheric conditions are well worked upon.
Upon the whole. ii can be truthful1y de- /
scribed as a melodrama of more than |
passing historical and romantic interest. |
The original play is by sophus Miehaelis,
a Dane. and the adaptation for the Eng |
ish stage is by Stephen Ivor Szinnyey.
While somewhat OF q departure from |
the roles with which Mr. Mason has /
ately been associated the character OF |
Marc-Arron Is entirely within his prov
nee, being romantic in character. His |
1elineation Is perfectly clear. as has been |
bis wont, and he is quietly effective |
throughout his fine voice. as usual con- |
an element in the general sue
,ess.
Miss Katherine Kaelred distinctly |
shares the honors with Mr.. Mason as /
Alaine. she has a fine personality, and |
also knows the art OF impelling intense /
ceiling without undue rise of voice or
unusual violence OF motion, while she, /
90 is equipped with that most effective
# all stage requisites-a fine voice. /
George Fawcett. as MontaIoup; William
:. Randall. as Del Bartes; Frank Nc
'ormick. as Davout. and Thomas Nc
sarnie, as Prosper, all thoroughly ap-
reciate the atmospheric possibilities of
heir roles and scenes. the first-named !
eing particularly effective in the trial !
Gene in the first act and In the scene
With MaTc-ArrOn in the second. The
Whole company contributed strongly to |
he success, including Marion Ballou, as
1eontine; Walter Hale. as Ernest Des
Carl Antony. as Jean Lasaue:
,harles Goodrich. as Able Copln, and
4ouis Bresen, as Maitre Jerome.