The Washington times., 1911-10-26

''The Passing of the Third Floor
Back" a human play OF modern
everyday life, In which Forbes Robert
son, the distinguished English actor.
sustains the leading part, that Of the
Stranger. comes to the Belasco for four
nights beginning next Monday. The
impression he gives is a memorable ex-
ample of the forcefulness that may be
impressed on an audience BY reserve
and dignity where power actually re-
sides in the actor. That Forbes-Robert-
son possesses artistic power. has been
thoroughly demonstrated In the past,
but never more effectively than in this
simple play. The lesson of THE Pass
Ing Of the Third Floor Back is that a
better self exists In everyone, whether
mean or cowardlyA selfish or dishonest.
Once an interest NJ truth, honor, Jus
tice, and love. is aroused by the
Stranger. each individual becomes
transformed. Ths music OF Forbes -
bearing, and his personal magnetism
all tend to build up O wonderful char
acter. The star II fortunate in his as
sociates. They impersonate each char
sary atmosphere. changing 1t from
meanness and shobbery to- one OF
benifcence and nobler impulses; Let
it not be forgotten that above all else
while IL engages the rapt attention OF
the audience In Its subltmer moments.
comedy abounds. This limited engage
ment includes Wednesday matinee.
The best known star in portrayals Of
parts calling for an elemental grip.
Guy Bates Post. will come to the
Columbia .Theater. Monday, for , a
weeks engagement, In "The Chal-
lenge." a play Of the great American
desert by Edward Childs Carpenter,
who wrote "Thc Barber Of New
Orleans" In which William Faversham
appeared with such success last
the The plot has to do with reformed
crook, who is hired BY q firm OF East
ern capitalists to carry out ~. vast VIII IT.
r!gation project & on one o. 81 trns,ed rne ~iM bv
his present EMPLOYERS. VINO think ne
mas the stun In him to make good, but
the sudden disclosure OF his past HE
The girl at the head Of the schemers
who would defeat his plans. is true
daughter of the West as It was In the
old days. who is the righ.fui owner OF
the property upon WntGn , ne sysr ,s "1Ns: tn ne
point OF trying to kill him, but finally
they are both caught in the net OF rate
when an irresistible force brings them
together.
David Bclasco has given Washington
playgoers many a delightful thrill. This
has been always his favorite city when
presenting a new play for the first time
on any stage, and once more Mr.. Be-
lasco comes to Washington for a first
verdict on his newest production. Next
Tuesday evening at the National Thea
ter he will present Frances starr In a
new play. "'The Case Of Becky" writ
ten by Edward Locke.
Mr.. Relasco always has asserted that
Miss Starr. great as were her parts In
"The Easiest Way" and "The Rose Of
the Rancho" had by no means reached
the limit Of her possibilities. In The
part of young girl who. under a
strange influence, Is controlled by two
different personalities As her natural
self she is fascinating. Intellectual, and
vicious. and cunning How the better
self wins makes the story.
In the notable cast Will be found
Charles Dalton. Robert Dempster, Al
Browne and John Drawn.
In Thomas e. shea's opening play at
the Academy, the phases of modern
life are vividly shown. and the strug-
gle of "a Man and His Wife in the
midst of temptation and social unrest.
are vividly drawn.
This play was presented last season
under the title of "A Self Made Man"
Its title, however, was changed by an
overwhelming vote Of Boston
audience during Mr.. Shea's four-week
engagement there last spring. Six
titles were submitted for their decision
and "A Man and His Wife" chosen as
the name best fitted for the play. The
sanctity of the home is made the theme
Of the plot and the tremendous oppos!-
tion in his home and business result In
series of stirring and thrilling
climaxes in his efforts to retain his
wife. 1t Is a great play of every day
life and includes the run on the bark
scene, and the homecoming in tho
quiet of the Maine woods, when the
man and his wife are happily united.
That powerful play, "The Bells" deals