The Washington times., 1912-01-16
Julia Murdock Says Lo1ers of Dra1ls
Should Not Miss "ll,e Gamblers"

Exit the scene shifter. likewise the
stage carpenter, with their old-time
makeshifts of canvas, which have beer
used to deceive audiences since the in.
ception OF the thespian art centuries
ago.
Enter the cabinet maker.
or course everybody knows that here
tofore all Of the beautifully frescoei
walls. the balconies. the doors. the win
COWS, tho inlaid floors. all the hundred
and one supposedly real things In the
average play were ingeniously printed
canvas. and resignedly the spectator
has settled back to let the actor by his
efforts lead him into the surroundings
that deception has tried to portray. Blu,
In THE Gamblers" which opened q
Theater last evening, the art OF the
scene painter Is lacking entirely. The
two scenes for the three acts are hc'
tually real. No imagination is needed
is looking into the interior Of real
drawing room, and in act two, reaI
library confronts the spectator.
Circassian walnut and mahogany take
the place So 1s Snd Sad %aaoM s The
smoking room" at Emerson's Is 9
beautiful room, and crimson draperies
and upholstery complete the furnishing
OF the apartment. 1untiHs sSehoe Q.
depicted on the upper panels Of the
marble mantelpiece. When the door
is closed, even the click of the lock lie
heard. and when 1t is slammed In one
impulsive FIRST nighfer:" "Great Scott!
That door was the real goods"
Realism Demanded
By Author of Play.
Realism was demanded by the author
of the play, and realism has been sup
Piled by tho producer, thought 1t has
thing new has been presented to the
theater-goer, and a new pace has been
set, -,
no means all Of this play OF "The Gam
Production pro- mat at the hands Of a most ca
pable company last evening. While this
Is the newest Of the plays by that
writer of successful plays, Charles
Klein, It is also his best. Its originality
1t one Of the most desirable and de-
servedly popular theatrical offerings OF
recent years in New York, and its ac-
ceptance last night at the Belasco was
The principal actors in "The Gam.
blers" are five bank directors a Federal
attorney. and his wife. The bank pres
ident, an easy-going f1nancier Of the
SS psns nTe S has hs Msn s,s wsa of
speculated wildly for a time. but who
is brought up sharply on charges OF
misuse Of the banks funds. He and
his associates meet at a ball at Emer'
| sons home, and a discussion ensues az
to how prosecution can be avoided
Federal authorities have taken charge
of the bank, but young Emerson has re-
covered what he believes to be the
notes given by the directors, which con
struction of these notes will relieve al
but one director Of standing trial They
agree to turn cards, to see who Will be.
come the scapegoat.
turns the fatal card, but the son. de-
clares a misdeal, and takes his place
agreeing to accept the responsibility
As the meeting is about to break uI
the directors discover that the notes
held by young Emerson are forgeries
Cowper, one Of the directors, has solf
out to the Federal attorney, but Emer
son makes him confess, discovering tina
the notes, together With an affidavit
relating to the banks illegal acts. are
at the home Of Darwin, the attorney
Emerson, in the guise Of burglar
goes to Darwins home to recover the
notes. He !s surprised by Mrs. Darwin
and recognized. He tells her why he IL
tnere, ana Wndt tne HOles mean " iiiii
and to his father. However, Mrs. Oar.
win gains possession Of the notes. anc
as ne is about to leave the house he Ii
surprised by Secret Service men. who
have been following him, and Darwin
who had supposedly left earlier In tho
night for Washington.
Exacts Promise
From Attorney.
In a it OF rage Darwin accuses Emer.
son Of an intrigue with his young wife
To protect her Emerson promises thai
he will tell why he visited Darwin't
home at midnight, If the attorney Will
promise not to use the information ir
the prosecution. The attorney prom
ises, and after hearing Emerson's story
and his wife's. which agree, he accuses
them of cooking up the yarn to deceive
him. He orders Emerson arrested ant
demands that his wife prefer charges
against him. She declares she will moi
prosecute Emerson. when her husband
warns her that he will divorce her II
she does not, accuses her of intimacy
with Emerson, and informs her tina,
he will not keep his promise not t.
uSa Emerson'a story n court Mrs