The Washington herald., 1911-07-02
THE WEEKS PLAYBILLS.
BeIasco-OLorna Doone."


The Beiasco Theater stock company.
the yagabonds, will this week present
willard Holcomb's dramatization OF h
D. Blackmore's famous romance OF the
Exmoor. Lorna Doone." 1t was the
dramatist's purpose to give semi-pri-
vate reading OF his play at the Play
house this evening, but this design was
frustrated. At a rehearsal OF this prom
ised reading a week ago, there happened
10 come two members of the Belasco
stock company, and so impressed were
they with the worth OF Mr.. Holcomo
dramatization that an arrangement was
at once entered into to present 1t at the
Belasco during the present week.
So popular has been the book, and so
dramatic the story, that playwrights Of
England and America have many times
attempted to place Lorna Doone' on
the stage in a fitting and acceptable
manner. Plays by the score have been
otfered TO managers, but none OF these
with but one possible exception, has
found their way to the stage The ex-
ception was a drama called Lorna
Doone," and produced at the Grand
Opera House, Chicago, dozen or more
wears ago. The version then presented
did not meet with success, and for the
reason that the dramatist had been un-
able to devise good play from the
material
Mr.. Holcomb's version Is divided into
four acts. The first of these is founded
upon Blackmore's later story, slain by
the Doones." the dramatic rights to
which have been obtained exclusively by
Mr.. Holcomb from the sole executrix of
the estate of the late novelist This re-
lates dramatically what is briefly re-
ferred to in the original novel-the
murder Of Farmer Ridd by the outlaw
Doones of Badgery Forest. Exmoor, in
the west of England, on the "debatable
ground lying between the counties Of
Devonshlre and Exmoor. For this rea-
son: as we'll as from wholesome dread Of
the Doones, the authorities of both coun-
ties excuse themselves from prosecuting
the outlaws, whereupon John Ridd
swears vengeance upon his fathers slay-
ers. His sole recruit is one Tom Faggus.
an ex-highwayman. who, TO win his par
DON, and also Johns sister, Annie Ridd.
soins in the campaign.
In the second act John Ridd visits
Doone Valley to spy out the famous
stronghold Of the outlaws. He meets and
falls in love with tneir queen, the dain-
ty maiden known to all lovers Of romance
as Lorna Doone. Although he supposes
her to be a daughter Of the men who
murdered his father. he reconciies his
scheme OF revenge with one to rescue
Lorna, and almost succeeds in persuad-
ing the maiden, when he is surprised by
HIS rivals among the Doones and escapes
the paternal fate only through the assist
ance Of the old witch" Mother Meldrum.
In Act III, having perfected their plan
Of attack. Tom and John Ridd invade the
vary stronghold OF the Doones. where
John succeeds in winning Sir Ensor's re-
luctant consent to his engagement with
Lorna, but at the very moment when It
would seem that this romance Is to be
ccnsumrnated Il Is discovered that the
supposed eerobber's, daughter is none
other than the Countess Of DugaI. who
was Kidnapped In childhood BY the
Doones Therefore. although John Rid1
achieves his vengsance on the murderers
Of his father. he ands himself further
than ever frcm the lady CT his choice.
who ls now removed to London. under
the enardisnshlp OF an old Scotch uncle,
Earl Brandir. who plans TO marry her to
his only q5n.
Readers Of the hook can forecast how
ne hesofand heroine eseeps this prsqiee-