Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-18
New National.

A three-act drama of the strictly mod
ern school is the new Belasco production
shown for the first time at the New Ma
tional Theater last night 1t has one dull
moI>ent at the outset. and no more Leg
| isfative intrigue. dealing with the bill
which must pass come what may, and
the generalites referring to graft and the
merciless tactics of political warfare are
inevitable essentials of every play which
undertakes to represent Washington, and
it is well to have the familiar background
painted in as rapidly as possible. States
men whose individuality is indicated by
the styles of hats, hair and whiskers are
sketched in on traditional lines, and rum
ming fire of cynical platitudes by the Hon.
Jim Blake of Illinois, played by William
Courtleigh, realizes the customary ex-
pectationS when a picture of Washington
life is announced. 1t is when this Hon.
Jim Blake steps on the scene that the
play begins to glow with the warmth of
real human nature He is cold con-
spirator, but loving father. An upStart
socially, he looks down even from the
slight elevation he has won on any whom
he suspects of aspirations as a climber.
His daughter is married % man who is
making his way in public life. but his
soma boy whom he has pressed forward
to immature prominence as a district at
torney-falls in love with the telephone
operator.
A scandal in the life of a political rival
is unearthed. only the name of the wom-
an is missing. The telephone operator is
approached to learn the number which
the rival will call when he seeks to warn
the woman. 1t is Plaza 1121. Immedi-
ately Bake'S son-in-law appears and
tells the operator to call his wife. What
NUMBER Plaza 1121." The curtain de-
sends and the audience bursts into tu-
multuous applause for the situation-a
situation practically unassisted by pose.
gesture OF speech. 1t is peculiarly an
authors triumph.
AS the play proceeds it Subordinates
politics and devotes itself to story of
heroism and clever resourcefulness which
interests Independently of localiSmS. True,
politics figures; but it is the dirty kind
that handles private scandals, and that
is practically obsolete among men who
assume to play the game as gentlemen.
This phase of the story is important
chiefly a necessity to the playwright
schemes the foundation OF a bit of we'll
constructed and thrilling romance.
The pleasure which the play affords is
due to its intrinsic dramatic force rather
than to any accurate analysis of events
or portrayal of conditions. But the
dramatic force is vital and unrenitting.
Every Climax lights the fuse which ex
plodeS new mine of interest Originality
of craftsmanship is showI in the con-
GLIDING scene of each act. A slow cur
tain descends on moment of suspense in
which little or no demonstration on the
part of the actor is involved. The story
is well rounded, the poetic justice to
which melodrama properly leads being
meted out by the crushing of relentless
old mans pride at the moment when his
arrogance seemed most secure.
Mr.. Courtleigh gives a fine impersonation
of the manipulation of men, whose iron
will is combined with suavity and a sar-
donic sense of hunor. Miss Ware was
thoroughly at home in the role of the
telephone operator, giving it both woman
ly sympathy and smart alertnesS.
Edwin Holt, as the son-in-law. gave an
excellent representation Of a well fed
Self-reliant and hustling man, whose SEN
siblites can be reached only through
nsrsonal misfortune. Another good piece
" acting is done by Cuyler Hastings, a
man whose career it is sought to check
by scandal. The woman whose indis-
erection forms the basis Of plot is not
permitted by the exigencies of plot to
claim much sympathy. The part is con-
scientiOusy played by Jane Peyton. The
company. as whole, is exceptionally
meritorious.
At the close Of the second act Mr..
De Mile responded to calls for the author,
and genuine, enthusiastic calls they were,
from an audience determined to neglect
no possible demonstration of approval.
The audience included many people of
prominence, among them President Taft
and Speaker Champ Clark.