Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-22
Belasco.

With the tragic and intensely dramatic
era OF the French revolution to supply
its atmosphere, an unfortunate and cow
ardly husband, temperamental wife,
who was willing to barter herself in ex-
change for his freedom, and a nervy son
hut little regard for feminine honor, "A
Son Of the People, translated from the
Danish of Sophus Michaelis by Stephen
Ivor Sxinnyey. as interpreted by John
Mason, Katherine Kaelred and a compe-
tent cast, was presented at the Belasco
Theater last evening.
A conspicuous and not wholly reassur-
ing point In the plot was the facile
manner in which a young bride. with
a heart that seemed to overflow with love
for her bridegroom, was transported to
the realm of alteration for q newly found
lover from the ranks Of q class that she
and her forbears had always held in
contempt. and that in the space Of prob
ably less than twelve hours. 1t was q
quick and astonishing transition, justified
by the author by cowardice Of the bride-
groom when his life was In jeopardy and
the nerve Of the man who was willing to
turn for the wifes favor for a few short
hours. The play is filled with melo-
dramatic situations that call for the ex
ercise OF talent. The cast as whole was
adequate to the requirements. Alaine de
L Estoile. the young daughter Of q
French nobleman, has been betrothed in
her childhood to Ernest des Tressailles.
who, with his parents. at the time of the
revolution has fled from France. He re-
turns while the revolution Is still at its
height to claim his bride.
Within the hour of his marriage he is
captured by the revolutionists and con-
demned to death. first to the guillotine
and then. through the fntercession Of a
revolutionary officer. Marc-Arron. to be
shot, the following morning at 6 o'clock.
In his frenzy of fear he forgets bride and
everything else to such an extent as to
turn the love of his wife from him. She
eventually intercedes with Marc-Arron to
free her husband and offers to pay the
COST whatever 1t Is Whereupon Marc
AKRON exchanges uniforms with des Tres
sailles, instructs him how to get away
and remains to claim his reward and to
meet hts own death In the morning. His
nerve in the face Of death in contrast
with that Of the young husbands coward
ice wins the admiration of the young
wife, and when she finds that he is really
to meet his death in place of her husband
his arms with declarations Of love. When
the hour for the execution arrives 1t
transpires that the young husband has
been caught in his flight and shot. Just
why or In what manner 1t is brought
about 10 not clear. but 1t seems to suf--
fee to secure full pardon for Marc-Arron
and the restoration Of his rank and COM
mission In the revolutionary forces The
ldSI CuTtaHl 1diIS, ledVlHS the impression
that his wife and widow Of the night and
her new lover are happily united.
In the role OF Marc-Arron. romantic in
It's essence. John Mason is ruggedly
strong and intense. AS the emotional
young wife Katherine Kaelred was
pleasing surprise. She has grace, dignity
and personal charm, and her methods are
thoroughly effective. Walter Hale, as de
Tressailles. the unfortunate young hus-
band. was fully equal to all requirements,
as also were George Fawcett as Monta-
loup, William r. Randall as Du Bartes,
Frank Mccormick as Davout and Carl
Antony as Jean Lasque.