The Detroit times., 1910-03-15


add TO the effectiveness OF the plot.
The play will be at the Detroit for
the entire week. with the usual
matinees.
GARRIck.
Although patriotism was the fire
beneath The Melting Pot" in tho
Garrick theater, Monday evening. 1t
probably would not have occurred to
anyone TO stand when the orchestra
played few bars Of The Star
Spangled Banner" during one OF
the entra acts, had 1t not been
Sword OF Bunker Hill" Postmaster
Homer Warren, occupying front
seat, who jumped To his feet at the
first strains of the national hymn.
large portion OF the audience followed
suit. but TO the burdened holders OF
wraps and be-plumed hats and muffs
and reticules and a few other what
nots, patriotism kept its seat. The
spontaneous incident fitted in very
neatly with the theme of the play.
"America-God' crucible the Melt
ing Pot" Zangwill calls 1t.
So much has been written about Mr..
Zangwills play and the discussion OF
it's theme has been so general among
the reading public that II would seem
unnecessary to more than very brief
~ touch the story OF the dreamer.
David. and his faith in his adopted
country. The story as il Is unfolded
In the drama has not many complica-
lions, but unravels itself in direct
fashion. and although built upon an
incident that proved one OF the most
terrifying and dramatic in all history
the Kisheniv massacre--the play is
singularly free from dramatic clash.
There is not even high tension in the
climax to the third act, when David
finds 1.-THE butchers face" 10 be his
beloved Vera's father. and the
naughty Baron Revendal. acknowledg
ing his guilt al the horrible sacrifice
OF human blood at Kisheney. tells
David to shoot him in just revenge.
In this scene there Is sense or the
absurd rather than the sublime. In
spite OF this and other dramatic weak
nesses, the play is one of gripping in
terest and fulfills its plea to America
10 become the crucible of all races.
Mr.. Zangwilrs handling OF the theme
and everybody's opinion with regard
10 il, has been discussed at such
length in the newspapers and mag.
azines that it would seem trite TO en-
ter into any analysis of il here. The
average reader OF the stage column
does not care tuppence about any
thing but to find out If 1t is a good
show" and how the actors "act. IL
In
the actors can act. and the managers
have given 1t a realistic scenic set
ting. IL is one OF the successes or
the current season in these respects.
Walker Whiteside. who enacts
David. Is almost stranger TO Detroit.
so many years is il since he played In
this city. Ii is safe to hazard that
lie will close the present visit with
large and enthusiastic following. He
was recalled repeatedly. Monday eve
ming, and even after making very
modest and well-chosen speech. he
was compelled to return again and
again to acknowledge the applause OF
an audience that filed the theater In
every corner.
Mr.. Whiteside gave remarkable
embodiment of the youthful DAVID
PLAYING the role with natural. boylsh
diffidence and youthful sincerity and
passion II was difficult To realize
that this seeming slip of lad is IN
reality welI-tred actor who has long
since left his apprenticeship behind
and asks suffrage from the public only
as q finished artist. AS he said in his
curtain speech. acting is his business.
but he has learned that business so
we'll that the mining haS-eomplete
semblance OF reality, and his Is the
art that conceals art.
A charming young actress Is Miss
Florence Fisher. who made Vera the
sweet. strong womanhood. the dramat.
Isl had in mind. With beauty of face.
a slight girlish form. pleasing
voice and praiseworthy repression
genuine success.
A cast OF unQuestioned excellence
surrounded Mr.. Whiteside aud Miss
Fisher Sheridan Block proved ex-
cellent as Mendel Quixano. David's
uncle: Grant Stewart, who can cayort
In musical comedy. write jingles. act
anything from Juvenile to heavy
father, played the rather disagreeable
character OF Quincy Davenport. with
his usual care and intelligence; John
Blair had the difficult role of Baron
Revendal. and Henry Vogel. the low
able Herr Pappelmeister The women
were equally good, Miss Leonora Won
.Ottinger Offering well-defined por-
trait OF the aristocratic. fashionable
and beautiful Baroness Ravendal. Miss
Louise Muldener, a remarkable char
acterization of the old Hebrew aunt
Frau Quixano a perfect picture OF the
type I'm make up and action, and Miss