The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-03-15
THE BELAsCo.
Marietta ony in oBaecarat.''

marietta Oily In "Baccarat.
'.Baccarat." by Henry Bernstein. did not
fulfill the promise offered by 'eThe Thief. .
by the same author. The newest play
by this distinguished French dramatist.
which was shown at the Belasco Theater
last night before a Notwithstanding audi
enee, suffered from two serious handicaps.
The first is the always present hazard
in translating a play from a foreign Ian
guage. What appeals strongly TO one ma
ton or people is by no means certain TO
appeal 20 another. American audiences
are very apt 70 regard the emotions OF
the French as 'amuch ado about nothing. "
AID their mimic tragedies, taken so seri-
ously by them. meet with indifference
here. If not with patent derision, unless
there is something unusually strong or
possessing a universal appeal. "Bacca-
rat is based on a story which, IL not
original in theme. is certainly powerful
IN Its treatment. but there is a tendency
toward elaboration of unimportant detail
which. while generally attendant closely
upon the plot appears trivial and unnee-
essary to those who prefer directness and
a clear exposition OF the main story.
The Sc ,ond handicap is the German &C.
cent OF Nine. Oily, who, IN the leading
female role. had some extremely heavy
acting to do One feels that madame
began TO act IN English a little too soon,
for while she is tolerably ineligible much
OF the time her passionate moments are
lost, so far as the lines are concerned.
Her acting is intense and one feels that
she has true emotional fire. but there Is
an ever present desire to brush away the
cultural burr. This should not be taken
as hypercriticism. but merely Is men
toned IN justice &C those VINO care to fol-
low closely the trend CO a play.
II Is not easy TO get acquainted with
new actor, especially those who come TO
as from alien nations. and we OF the
United States are always charitablv in
clined toward those who would give US
new histrionic beauties. Nine Oily in her
own country would probably be regarded
as q capable actress; speaking our
tongue she does not impress as being
unusual Her personality is agreeable,
and her expressions plduant, but one or
two mannerisms. such as biting the lower
lip constantly. and the frequent snap
ping OF her fingers. are annoying.
II may be said in Nine. Olly's favor
that the role she has in 'Baccarat'' is un-
pleasant, II seems to have been created
by the author solely for the purpose OF
making the actor tear passion TO tat
ters." but when this has been done. and
the changes have been rung again and
again. one seeks in vain for the authors
motive IN It all
The story is OF a woman unhappily
married, who endeavors TO raise a large
sum of money TO save her lover from
the charge OF embezZlement The action
deals mainly with her struggles with her
father and with a discarded sutton,
neither Of whom seems inclined 70 put
up the money, particularly as the lover
is gambler and a man OF questionable
reputation The woman is obliged TO
sacrifice her honor before the old sutton
viii let her have the money and her
father comes TO the rescue too late. The
lover, however, refuses the aid Of each,
and rather than take money from the
hand Of his mistress. commits suicide
The French have a way OF clarifying
sin, but in this country. no matter how
much the pill may be glded, we will
not swallow 1t unless we have the sugar
coating Of heart interest And this
'Baccarat" certainly does not possess.
and it fails to play "sympatico, as the
musicians say, until the last scene of
all. and then. strangely enough, the APP
peal comes from the gambler-lover. who
proves himself a thorough sportsman.
The last Of his race he has played the
string out and IS willing to let go.
Thurlow Bergen. the actor intrusted
with this character. proves himself an
artist OF real merit. His scene with the
father Of Helene, In the last act. was
master study Of repression, concentration,
and naturalism. Albert Gran, as the
father. had a hard time making the audi
ence take him seriously, since he began
the evening as a comedian. When the
big scene was on between Helene and her
father, Gran swerved about and did some
straight acting that was remarkable. II
his character were made straight from
the very beginning It would carry more
WN-oAAts anu e~NbAu AlidL uncertainty WnieN
existed for some time after he ceased to
be comic.
The rest OF the cast had little to do.
Only four persons are concerned in the
last two acts, the fourth, in addition 10
those named, being Melville Stewart.
playing character for a change. as the
jeweler. Stewart gave a good account OF
himself.
''Bacearat'' viii hardly be successful
It's interest is not sufficiently intimate. ana
there is division at the finish in favor
OF the male character, when the story
has been built about the female. The
logical ending OF the play is when the
door closes upon the suicide. II was
theatrical to bring Helene back to pound
upon the door. and suspiciouly ike a son
10 the star Nine Oily should prove her /
self artistic enough to omit this.
WILLIAM OSBORN.
THE CASINO.