The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-11-19
CHASE'S
.sThe Drums of Dude"

The announcement of Belasco play at
vaudeville prices practically filled
Chases delightful new theater with ap-
preciative audiences at both perform
ance yesterday. and should continue TO
draw capacity houses all this week, for
THE Drums of Dude" as the head-liner
of this weeks bill. more than fulfills
the promises made for it.
The scene Of the play is laid in the
interior of a palace in Northern India,
which is occupied by the British troops
ir the spring of 1857. The plot is said
to be based on an actual episode in the
great Sepoy GebelIion in India, theme
which has given Mr.. Belasco ample
sCope for the exercise of his incompar-
able genius in blending atmospheric de-
tail. development of action, tensity OF
interest. and psychological effect into a
masterpiece.
THE Drums of Dude" which is under
the sole management of David Belasco
and William Elliott, is from the pen of
Austin Strong. the author of THE Pied
Piper" and THE Toymakers of Nurem-
burg" Like Madam Butterfly" it is
a complete drama, carrying with it a
full executive stan. and given the de-
tailed scenic investment for which the
BeIasco productions are noted.
The story is Of Capt. Hector McGre-
gor. an English officer stationed in
Northern India at the time OF the me-
morable Sepoy rebellion. There comes
to him for protection Mrs Jack Clayton,
the woman he loves whose fears he
Quiets until he is forced to reveal their
IL hfaR hn n1E
declares his intention of setting fire to
the powder magazine. which hes under
the room in the old castle which he is
occupying, and the woman, who knows
the horrible fate of an English woman
who falls into the hands of Indian mu-
tineers, promises to be a thoroughbred
to the end, which comes within a half
burned fuse of being tragic before help
arrives In the form of soldiers. The
burning city. seen through the window
of the room is most realistic and impress
sive, while the startling series of stu
atoms keep the audience tense and
thrilled through the entire thirty-fve
minutes consumed in presenting the play.
Mr. Belasco has brought all the mys-
ticism OF the Orient to the staging OF
the piece and has intrusted the por-
trayal of the characters to only compe-
tent hands.
E. J. RatClifT. in his portrayal of the
role OF Capt. McGregor, left nothing to
be desired, while Mrs. Jack Clayton,
his widowed sweetheart. was in the capa-
BILE hands of Eleanor Scott L'EsteIIe
Jack Standing was seen as Lieut.. Alan
Hartley. brother to the girl. and the
two HinGOo servants added TO the exotic
atmosphere by their stealthy movements
and repulsive treachery.
Despite the fact that The Drums of
Dude equals the best Of the Belasco
dramas. the balance OF the attra ctions
at Chases this week is not Curtailed on
this account Ollie Young and April
opened the bin yesterday with an Act
from TOyland." which proved plea SAINT,
though simple, little diversion with
smOkc-filled soap bubbles. J. c. Nugent
and julie York offered Mr.. Nugent's orig
inal skit purportng to be a sideIght
on New York life, in which a pretty
sermon is delivered in two scenes, prov
ing to a country girl the greatness of
her folly in desiring to taste of the qucs-
tionable pleasures of a great city, when
a little homo, with an honest mans
love thrown in. is hers for the having
Du Gallon, billed as the laxative
Engishman with the lettering ladder"
lived up to the announcement, proving
an accomplished equilibrist Stuart
Barnes was laugh-prOvoking in his clever
raConteur. while Miss Robbie Gordone,
in series Of classic reproductions of
famous statues furnished an excep-
tOnally artistic act.
The Animated Weekly pictures of cur
rent events concluded a bill which, by
virtue Of The Drums of Dude" will
be one of the most pretentious of the
Chase season. J. {. MANI