The Washington herald., 1911-09-24

New York. Sept. 2a-one remarkable
feature of the early season offerings is
their merit, merit which. like personal
ity in an army, is apt to go unnoticeo'
where 1t would shine like q beacon light
were the play produced alone. 1t seems
too bad that so much good material must
be thrust upon metropolis surfelted with
plays. Their Introduction on some quiet
Monday night when the theatrical sea-
son takes on a semblance of age would
undoubtedly work a vast change in their
fortunes.
Six plays were produced this week:
'Disrasn," starring George Arliss, at
Wallack's; THE Kiss Waltz" an OPP
eretta, at the Casino: THE Woman" at
the Republic: What the Doctor Or
dered,' at the Astor; THE Arab" aS the
Lyceum, and "A La Broadway" a mu-
sicaI review, at the Folies Bergere.
'DisraeII.'
There seems to be no stopping Louis
N. Parker. What Dickens is to literature
his plays are to the stage. His gift for
characterization pleases, where his plots
stripped bare would fall. In his latest
play, 'DisraeH," at Wallack's, this fact
is badly evident, for the piece is moth
ing more than a clever linking of incl
dents delineating the character Of the
great Jewish statesman, with the usual
historical liberties and a romance neatly
entwined. 'Disraeli'' was received in
Chicago with an acclaim that New York
is seeking to outdo.
The play opens not upon Dizzy the
rake. the coxcomb, and follower Of the
tender passion, q seemingly easier period
for dramatization, but upon DisraeH the
statesman. the hated among Gentiles,
master among diplomats, at the height
Of his career. and at the time when he
secured for Queen Victoria the title OF
Empress of India and for England the
Suez Canal the ditch across the des-
ert''
George Arliss, in the character role,
is a wonder in makeup. and oilily glides
through the Vaccinations OF political
and financial England with conviction
and dramatic effect that carries the play
to a finish on a steady tide of interest.
Disraeli is shown negotiating for the
purchase of the Suez Canal, treated like
a pariah by English society, and through
one incident after another reaches the
him in the face and disgrace threatens
to eclipse his career. He needs money.
The ship that is bringing gold to his
hacker is delayed. France and Russia
seem about TO triumph. But with bold
decision and mastery execution he
wrings from the Bank of England the
saving gold. closes his projects, and
emerges triumphant.
Mr.. Parker apologies for the liberties
he takes with history, and well he may.
for intrigue and plot, spying and caves
dropping are brought to the front In a
manner hardly consistent with modern
diplomacy.
''Disraelf' is a fitting companion for
Mr.. Parker's Rosemary" and Pom
Rnder Walk"
"The Kiss Waltz"
Messrs. c. NJ. Zieher. Matthew Wood
ward. and Edgar Smith, who own to
the music, lyrics. and Americanization
Of the latest Viennese operetta to make
a bid for popularity, seem to have COM
bined pretty and tuneful play with a
fine cast to such a nice degree that their
offering, The Kiss Waltz at the Ca
sino, looks like a winner. Not only is
the operetta the possessor of tuneful
music. pretty women, and clever actors
but 1t also possesses that most rare
jewel Of light opera, a pIot-one that
can be followed through the garlands
Of music strewn about by the composer
The story deals with the fortunes of
a young composer who loves a vivacious
baroness, but is forced to firt with a
coquettish countess to preserve his pa