Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-12
ADJUSTMENTS


Romance is one of those beautiful will
o'-the-wtsps Of life that never fails to
revive the dropping interest and stir the
dormant emotions Of the heart, making
one lose the cares of today in the de-
lights of Imagination, and so 1t is small
wonder that in THE Prisoner of Zenda, .
the romantic play so well presented by
the Butterfield Players at the Belasco
Theater last evening, large and not at
all emotional audience found genuine
pleasure and entertainment. The play
Is one almost inseparably connected with
the name of E. III. Sothern. the noted
player, who, whatever other glories he
may attain, will always be first recalled
by his splendid work in Lord Chumley'
and The Prisoner of Zenda."
Director Butterfield deserves much in
the way OF credit'fo his pleasing presen-
tation of this play. His cast was wisely
chosen. and his mounting of the play
quite in keeping with tradition.
Rudolph Rassendyll, a young English
man with hair and beard of Titan hue,
in some way remotely related to Rudolph
v. the Red Elphberg king of the myth
cal kingdom of Ruritania, Is forced. be-
cause of his striking resemblance to the
monarch, to imperSonate him even TO the
extent of being crowned for him and
making love to his affianced bride in order
TO defeat the attempted usurpation of
Michael. the Black Elphberg. who is q
claimant OF the throne. On the eve pre-
ceding the coronation. Black Michael. by
drugged wine, so disables the king that he
Is unable to be present at the coronation
at Strelsau, or, If by any possibility he
should get there, his apparently drunken
and debauched condition might turn the
populace againse him and result in the
browning OF the Black Elphberg.
Fritz Won Tarlenheim and Col. Sapt
loyal followers of the king. persuade Ras-
sendyD TO impersonate his disabled rela-
tive. He does SO In such excellent fashion
as to win the day and at the same time
win the heart of the Princess Flavia- But
he is a man OF honor. and before ii is too
late he confesses his identity to the
princess. who still continues to love him,
when he steps aside TO yield the throne
AS we'll as the woman he loves to his
cousin.
Three striking personalities dominated
the cast of last evening. Mr. Richie.
the leading man. in the dual role of the
king and Rassendyll Brigham Royce as
the Black Michael. and Jessie Glendin-
ming as the Princess Flavia. To these
three primarily must go the credit for
the success OF the play. Mr.. Ritchies
played his dual roles with finished art
istry. Mr.. Royce was a striking picture
as the Black Michael. and in all the re-
qufrements OF the role appeared to dis
the Princess Flavia. gave what many will
believe her best dramatic impersonation
in Washington. Charming to the eye and
no less appealing TO the interest in a
blended Offering OF the human and the
spirituelle. her portrayal was one of
much merit.
Mr.. Butterfeld and Mr.. Lane in the
roles OF Fritz vons Tarlenneim and Col.
Sapt. respectively, overlooked no oppor-
tunity TO make them effective. Mr.. For
roster as Capt. HentZaU was most i'm
pressive as the dashing officer. who was
ready upon the slightest provocation TO
Kill his king or sell out his commander
Miss Marbury played the part of An
toinette de Mauban gracefully and with
charming stage presence, although her
heart did not seem to be in her role
Others OF the company acquitted them
selves with due credit
The play furnishes a delightful evening
OF enjoyment and the audience that greet
ed II was among the largest and best Of
the season.