The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-10-18
THE NATIONAL.
"Arsene Lupin."

When MeSSrS. Francis De Cr0isSet ana
Maurice lie Blanc wrote "Arsene Lupin"
for Partisan audiences they wrote what
they deemed a serio-comlo burlesque on
the inflated and often extravagant meth
DDS OF the french police. IN results the
French police often show themselves the
best in the world, and II is 10 them and
their peculiar schemes Of work that the
world owes some of it's finest detective
fiction, Gaborieau in his novels soon
-ound that the public appetite for the
police miracle was Unsuitable. and he soon
fOrsoOk his early method OF THE Widow
Lerouge,' and toward the last of his
career descended to sheer burlesque and
improbability It took-just as ''Arsene
Lupin." which opened at the National
last night. takes. OF course. in translat-
ing this clever drama for American audi
ences much or the burlesque was lost; OF
what little flavor OF burlesque was left
much goes over the heads OF modern
audiences, who take the whole thing seri-
Ously; will not see the ridicule when IL is
obvious, but who insist on being thrilled
at the weird story OF the burglar-duke.
For Arsene Lupin. the mysterious thief
who for ten years has baffied the de-
tectives OF Paris, has been for part Of
that time masQuerading as the Duke OF
Charmerace. and IL is in this character,
surrounded by his friends. engaged 10 be
married TO Germaine. the daughter Of the
rich Mon. GOurnay- Martin. that the audi
ence first meets him. He is a charming
Eel A1kn na u
ease, and 70 the manner born. but hardly
has ne made his appearance than the plot
becomes shrouded in an air OF mystery.
Strange men come and go, try 10 steal
things. only 20 put them back. and finally
comes letter from Arsene Lupin convey
ing the news that he is going 10 rob the
Paris house before
morning
When the family gets 10 the house it
is practically dismsntled. Everything has
gone. tapestries. pictures, articles Of
virtu-everythIng, save a famous tiara
which Arsene Lupin has promised 10
steal Now comes the tug OF wits be-
tween the supposed Duke Of Charmerace
and the famous detective, Guerchard. i
is a fine play Of wit and daring, and II
one could only take II seriously. as In
truth most or the audience do. then IL is
certainly the equal so far as thrills are
concerned OF either Rallies OF sherlock
Holmes" two Of the most recent in
stances OF plays Of this genre.
Throughout the play the authors have
created clever situations and characters
that are so admirable because they are
so well Overdone-purposely so. In the
first act. for instance. the entrance or
the thieves. their impossible manner. their
hiding behind doors, Is exquisitely funny.
But in the second act there is a char
acter. admirably played by Arthur FL
lot. that OF q pompOus examining mag
strate. almost as exquisite in its way
as those other examining magistrates who
sat in the W0Ikhouse on the notorious
case OF one oliver Twist. The humor
with which this part is conceived Is in
deed very much OF the flavor OF Dickens
But whatever way you choose 60 regard
this play-as serious attempt at telling
a thrilling detective story with all the
DISCUSSES. secret passages, tracking OF
footprints and the rest, or whether you
regard II as a clever bit Of good-humored
fun at the expense Of modern police meth
ods-you cannot help liking il. II IS rat
Ting good entertainment from beginning
10 end. Not even the most b.ase theater-
goers could call II dull
And II IL beautifully acted wherever
good acting IS required. Mr.. William
- h~fgTfaes %
younger school OF players is admirably
cast in the part Of Arsene Lupin. He,
at least, plays we'll the half hidden, half
revealed humor OF the play; he let's the
audience a little bit into the secret this
moment. only 10 be so serious the next
as 10 force them 70 come 10 the land Of
thrills and sensations. While at times
the drama is a biz melodramatic. Mr..
Courtenay is never so; he plays con-
scientiously and honestly, as he always
does. and gives a fine performance
throughout. Second to him comes Mr.
Sidney Herbert, as Guerchard, a subtle
and sensitive bit Of acting IN the part
or the detective that is delicious all
through. ACr Charles HaEbury. long
and favorably known 10 the American
as he was TO the English-stage, is very
good as the frantic Mon. Gournay-Mar-
tin. threatened with apoplexy az the
threats Of Arsene Lupin.
Among the ladies' Of the company the
work OF Miss Virginia Hammond stands
out the most prominently. AS Sonia
Kritchnofe. herself a thief, who falls in
love with Arsene. believing him TO be
the Duke, she is able 10 run a gamUt
Of emotions and to express them all
equally well. She has a voice that she
can turn admirably TO her uses. and she,
at least. played her part as II she was
acting in the most serious drama in the
world Miss Ida Greeley Smith. as Ger
maine. made a pleasing impression, and
dainty little bits were played by Laura
Newman, Grace Y. Walsh. and May
Galyer. From every aspect the COM
pany Is most competent and pleasing.
And the play is pleasing. too. It is
well set and staged. and IT has a story
that holds the interest and excites the
humor. It keeps you guessing. and anon
K wakes TO laughter and TO tears. Peo-
pie who enjoy an evening OF fun will
certainly miss one If they do not go to