Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-25
ADJUSTMENTS
Columbia.

If one needed a reason why David
Belasco went to the Columbia players
for quartet of recruits for his coming
seasons productions, one could easily find
it in the splendid production of Clyde
Fitch's powerful play, The Climbers,
which was presented at the Columbia
Theater last evening.
The play itself, in four acts. is probably
the masterpiece of Clyde Fitch, that mas
ter of playwriting. whose place will long
remain unoccupied. 1t was first present
ed with a cast whose strength and eX-
cellence is attested by such names as
Amelia Bingham, Robert Edeson, Frank
Worthing, Annie Irish, Minnie Dupree
and other players whose brilliant record
in things theatrical is too well known to
need recall. That last evenings cast does
not suffer in any particular in the COM
parisOn seems a rash statement. and yet
1t is simply true. Its performance has
rarely If ever been duplicated in stock
work in Washington
tons land their consequences) of Dick
Sterling, who, with a young wife and
child, to whom he is devotedly attached,
risks everything in his efforts to make
money. only to find In the end that he has
lost everything and that death is his only
portion.
The telling Of 1t in a brief way would
not begin to unfold its possibilities in the
development Of the emotions that stir the
heart. nor disclose the sunlight Of smiles.
nor the clouds OF sorrow blended in it by
the master hand of the playwright. The
ma gnif1cent mountings and costumes OF
the players are lost in the absorbing in.
terest of the play. and yet under ordinary
inspiration and admiration for those who
love to dwell upon such things.
The chief characters Of the story are
Dick Sterling and his wife Blanche, Miss
Ruth Hunter. their maiden aunt. and
Ned Warren, the mutual friend of the
young couple. Willard Robertsons por-
trayal Of the reckless. desperate young
husband. who risks all belonging to his
own and trust funds belonging to others
in his wretched scramble for fortune, was
artistic and most impressive-a master
piece Of stock work. No less forceful and
meritorious was the work of Frances
Nelson, Edward II. Robins and Carrie
Thatcher. AS the young wife, Miss Neil
son presented one of the strongest and
most artistic emotional Characterization
Of her local career. Her final scene with
her erring husband, in which she prom
ises not to divorce him, but convinces him
her love for him is irrevocably lost, was
but little short Of superb in it's emotional
impressivenesS. Mr.. Robins, as Ned War
rem, q role requiring finesse and tact as
well as dramatic ability in other lines,
was strong, manly and convincing.
There was never a moment when the
intense power Of the play tempted his
judgment or marred his clear-cut concep-
ton of the real character he was por-
traying. Carrie Thatcher. as the maiden
aunt, gave another Of her splendid i'm
presentations. thoroughly human in its in
spiration and wonderfully clever and at
tentive to the minutest details.
In the lesser roles Julia Blanc, as the
shallow Mrs. Hunter. to whom all else in
life was as naught compared with social
eminence and notoriety, and Violet Hem
ing. as her fiippant. silly daughter, her
mothers child in all respects. were ex-
ceptionally good. Both exhibited rare
discretion in their work at all times So,
too. as Miss Godesby, a typical woman of
the social fast set. ready to charm with a
lie or crush with a thrust of repartee,
Aline McDermott gave an impersonation
that commanded attention at all times for
its thoroughness and delicacy. J. Ham
mond Daily. as Mr.. Trotter. a young man
with plenty of money and an absorbing
fascination for classy" things; George w
Barber. as Mr.. Mason. the family law
yer. role with but little opportunity;