The Washington herald., 1911-06-04
THE WEEKS PLAYBILLS.
Belasco-'The Christian

Belasc0-sThe Christian"
One Of the most important and interest
ing dramatic offerings Of the present
| Washington stock season will occur at
| the Belasco Theater this week, when the
Vagabonds Stock Company will present
| 1.-THE Christian" the dramatization by
Hall Caine Of his famous novel of the
same title. Another announcement Of
equal importance is the fact that Mr..
| Henry Mortimer. though engaged two
weeks ago as q member of the Belasco
stock company, will make his first ap-
pearance In that house In the leading
role OF John Storm. In view of the
instant popularity of Mr.. Mortimer during
his association with the other local stock
company earlier in the season, that actor
requires no Introduction to local theater-
goers.
In dramatizing ''The Christian" Hall
Caine is said to have considerably i'm
proved on his novel, cutting out a great
mass Of controversial matter. and picking
out only the most dramatic incidents. At
the same time he has preserved and
strengthened the principal characters and
smmered the whole down to a sweet yet
powerful love story.
The Christian" is presented in a pro-
logue and four acts. The scene of the
prologue Is the fitting ground in the ruins
of Peel Castle Isle OF Man. Here Glory
Quayle rejects the love OF John Storm
because of her infatuation for life in Lon
don. and he declares to his father, Lord
Storm. that he proposes to take orders
In the church. The first act scene shows
the saloon of the Coliseum Music Hall
In London. Two years have passed and
Glory. who went to London to become a
hospital nurse, has made her debut as a
music hall singer. and Storm has taken
religious orders, and 10 conducting his
own church in Soho.
Glory's success Is being celebrated by
a company of friends when John Storm
comes to her and pleads that she abandon
her present life and friends. She re-
fuses. The third scene shows the club
room Of st. Mary Magdelenes Church in
Soho. This act is full Of incident. and
ends with the notification to Storm that
his church has been sold over his head
to extend the music hall to further
Giory's career.
The scene Of the third act 10 laid in
Glory's apartment in THE Garden
House." ST. Clements Inn. where she
and Storm meet, and where. while labor
ing in a frenzy Of jealousy. and with a
desire to save her from destruction, he
attempts to kill her, and is only pre-
vented by her recalling memories of their
happy youth together. The scene OF the
fourth act reverts to the church scene Of
the second act, where, after several
scenes Of gripping heart interest have
occurred. the play ends happily.
In addition to Mr.. Mortimer. as John
Storm. the cast Of principals will include
Miss Marguerite Snow, in the role of
Glory Quayle, originally created by Viola
Allen; Fuller Mellish, In the role Of Arch
deacon Wealthy; Osborne Searle. as Ho-
ratio Drake, the role created by John
Mason: Emmett c. King. as Lord Robert
Ure; Florence Huntington, in the strong
and sympathetic role of Polly Love: Mrs.
Stanhope Wheatcroft, as Mrs Calender;
Gertrude Augarde, as Betty; Henrietta
Goodwin. as Lefty, and Willard Robert
son, as Lord Storm.
A pretentious scenic production has been
prepared for THE Christian" and more
than 100 people will be used In the big
scenes.