Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-05
ADJUSTMENTS.
. Belasco Theater.

0CAooCO 4UCatCI.
Like others in which Viola Allen has at
tanned public approval. her play for this
season. The White Sister, is notable for
strong element Of religious interest. The
theme, in inexpert hands. might be con-
sidered daring, but 1t is wrought out with
such delicate differentiations and with
such profound respect for devotional
ideals that thought Of possible offense
Is banished. The clash Of motives which
gives the characters interest is con-
fict between vows of love and vows of
religious devotion. The events which
lead to the situation compelling choice
which places duty above human happiness
are consistently woven together with a
skill worthy OF the reputation of the
plays author, the late F. Marion Craw-
ford. The story itself, rather than the
manner OF its telling, gives the work its
interest, Tor the dialogue Is not distin-
guished by any studied effort toward
grace OF language. 1t is a creation of
plot rather than Of style. Its psychology
is subtle, yet clear the course selected by
the chief figures in the drama being the
inevitable one. The idea goes a step be-
yond that on which most fiction is based,
that love is the highest human obligation.
1t involves the sacrifice of love to prin-
clple. The novelist succeeded wonderfully
In presenting so exalted a phase Of ideal
ism in such way as to preserve that
popular requisite in the theater. human
emotionalism. Although its moral code is
rigid. it has great warmth Of sympathy.
The title role is played by Miss Viola
Allen. whose performances in seasons
past have Won her distinct and per-
manent place in the esteem of the play
going public. Her righteousness of voice
gives her Rotations rhythmic quality
which suggests blank verse, even though
it is not present, and gives her lines,
however devoid of rhetorical impressive
ness, ritualistic dignity. The picture
she makes on the stage Is most ap-
peallng one, and the role is undoubtedly
one of the most notable she has had
during her entire career. The supporting
company displays a wealth of compe-
tence in the way of sincere acting. Mr..
James O'Neill. as Monsignore Saraci-
nesca, bestows on the part personal
dignity, together with graceful reading,
such as few players of the more modern
school could command. William Farnum
Is happily cast as the lover whose sup
poseu death leads to the irrevocable
vows of the Sister Giovanni. Minna
Gale, an actress whose proficiency has
mad ample test. gives vitality to the
unsympathetic role Of the jealous and re-
sentful countess. and Richie Ling is
Pitt contributed a capital character bit
to the performance.
The scenery for the four acts is aus
terely beautiful in keeping with the
Last nights presentation was for the
peneht or the House of Mercy
Q New National.
Friends of the Children's Hospital, in
numbers that taxed the capacity of the
house. enjoyed William H. Crane in,
Father and the Boys last evening at
the New National Theater A genuinely
humorous scintillating comedy, in George
ACES best vein. it repeated the success
achieved here last season. It's situations
are absurdly ludicrous, its lines laden
with laugh-germs, and its rendition ade-
quate and complete in every detail.
Inc story concerns an overworked old
iasnloned father" who suddenly awakeps
to the fact that his boys are being
drawn away from him by the new order
of things. One of them goes in for attn.
ietics, and even rigs up a gym and a boy
ing room in the Office The other wastes
MS time and his fathers money in social
diversions. Father wakes I'M TO the
fact that he is miles behind the process
Sion He starts in with a rush and
who's up In a cyclone. Eventually. Of
course. he decides that the BOYS" have
learned their lesson. His return to the
straight and narrow path is an occasion
OF great rejoicing, so much So in fact |
that the "boys" go him one better by |
taking unto themselves wives and settling
down for good and all.
William H. Crane depicts the central
boys are Forrest Orr and Sidney Blair.
Margaret Dale. as the western girl with |
whom father" cuts up high links -
makes her part one Of the best hits of the |
performance. The cast contains a num-
Der OF players of unusual ability.