The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-12-24
DETRoIT opERA HOUSE.

DETROIT OPERA HOUSE.
An Arabian Nights tale visualized
with splendor and magnificence that
Is opulent Is "Kismet," which was re-
vealed TO an audience that filled the
Detroit opera house TO overlooking,
Monday evening. Otis Skinner than
whom the American stage has no finer
artist, or one who Is more esteemed.
IS the central figure in the Oriental
gorgeousness, as Hail, a beggar in
rags, but, as Fate plays with him
raised for an hour 10 rich raiment and
a jingling purse of gold. The three
acts of the drama are divided into ten
scenes, each gem OF scenic perfec-
ton. AS a drama "Kismet" offers al
Turing literary qualities and as stage
production presents wonderful
series OF pictures of the fancied life
OF the ancient Bagdad OF the Arabian
Nights.
The play was written by Edward
Knoblauch, and was first produced In
London, although Kloblauch Is an
American. Incidentally, II may be
said that competent judgment has de-
clared the American production made
by Harrison Grey Fiske for Mr., Skin
ner, is more beautiful pictorially
than the London presentation. While
"Kismet" Is an entirely original prod
uct OF Mr.. Knoblauch's playwrighting
brain, he states that he received his
inspiration from the Arabian Nights.
AS a drama, "Kismet" shows excel
lent craftsmanship in construction and
In weaving into its Oriental fabric
philosophy. wit, romance, humor.
mems cunning, cruelty and nobility.
The story OF "Ksmet' as the pro-
gram outlines 1t follows:
For many years Hail, the Beggar,
who sits upon the Mosque OF the Car
penters, had waited to meet and wreak
his vengeance upon his enemy, Jawn,
who killed Halls son and stole his
wife away. Jawn, now become
Wealthy, comes this day to the
mosque, taunts Hail with his poverty
and CONTEMPORARY throws to him a
Iurse OF gold. Hail takes the gold,
not as aims, but as weapon that Al
lab has sent TO his hand TO be used
In his vengeance upon Jawn. In the
bazaar, Hail chooses rich raiment for
himself and rinkets for his daughter,
Marsinah. To avoid payment he in
cites quarrel between the tailors,
and during the excitement runs away
with the merchandise. He is arrest
cd and taken before the Wazir Man
sur, chief OF police, who is a tyrant
irofiigate, and squanderer OF the
lublic moneys. This new Caliph has
declared that II he cannot render a
just accounting his life shall be taken
as forfeit, so Mansur plots the assas-
sination of the Caliph. Hail consents
to do the killing upon Mansurs prom.
lse that he will wed Marsinah, Halls
daughter, and protect her. Marsinah
Is In love with the Caliph-she being
ignorant OF his exalted station. But
che Is taken TO the Harem OF Mansur
by force. Hail fails in his attempt to
kill the Caliph, Is made prisoner. SEN
fenced to death and cast into dungeon
where he finds Jawn, his enemy. Hail
Hills him. Upon the breast OF the
dead Jawn is an amulet, broken
hand OF Fatima.
Hail takes this amulet, and, DON
ming the garments OF Jawn. MAKES his
escape, TO rescue Marsinah.
Hail gains entrance to the harem
through an intrigue with Kut-al-Kulub,
Mdnsur's wife, but when Kut-al-Kulub
discovers that her lover is Hail, the
Beggar, she bursts into a great rage
and summons Mansur, who, Infatuated
over Halls presence in the harem,
PUSHES upon him to kill him. But his
eye falls upon the amulet He drops
his sword and reveals TO Hail the
ether half of the broken hand This
was given To him by his father-who
In truth was Jawn-when they were
parted many years before
Hail perceives that fate has again
laced weapon In his hand He de-
.. clares that he Is the father of Mansur,
throws him into the harem bath and
browns him. When the Caliph. seek
ing Marsinah, his beloved, finds Hail
in the harem he orders his men TO
again cast Hail into the dungeon To
the establishment of the Caliph, Hail
Iroclaims that he is the father OF
Marsinah and the Caliph revokes the
Eentence of death and banishes Hail
from Bagdad for all time The beau.
tiful Marsinah becomes the bride OF
the Caliph, and Hail, the Beggar. is
set out on pilgrimage to Mecca,
there to wash away his sins In the
Well OF Zemzen.
This fascinating story is acted out
with consummate skill by Mr.. Skinner
and his associate players. Frederick
Eric Is the handsome and noble
Caliph; Hamilton Revelle, the equally
handsome, but cruel and wicked Man
sur: Miss Rita Joliyet, the lovely
Marsinah; Eleanor Gordon, the volup-
tuous Kut-al-Kulub: Georgia Wood
thorpe, the duenna OF Marsinah !;