Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-12
Columbia.

THE Common Law as presented at
the Columbia Theater last night. breaches
a lesson not needed in the ordinary lie
of the comfortable class OF persons
known as "home folks" as in the play
marriage is upheld as an institution OF
great merit; and by extolling 1t the play
seeks to prove that questionable relations
have an effect on the moral fabric SINH
lar TO the ravages of yoraciouS moths IN
a set of furs. The play is termed
dramatization of the most sensational
novel of the century. 1t is as Wen, per-
haps. that the superlative has been con-
fined to Robert w. Chambers novel.
The Common Law" as presented on
the stage is not sensational. judged Dy
other plays which have earned that de-
scription, it leaves the impression OF q
perfectly easy story acted by more OF
less natural people. For brief moment
in the first act the sensation hunter feeis
he has almost arrived at something
startling. 1t is where there seems 10 De
an even chance that Valerie west. the
studio model. may do something uncon-
yentional Her decision, however, is a
compromise.
The story of the novel is familiar to
many who will doubtless flock to see its
dramatization. 1t should be known. now
ever that the playwright has used only
the salient features of the book. lie
las introduced one or two incidents for
local color which will be new to the
books readers. In the play Louis New
lille. a painter, clean of heart and mind,
falls in love with Valerie West, his model:
and she in turn loves him. Neville's moth
or and sister, being OF the conventional
type. seriously object to accepting an ar
lists model as a member OF the family.
Valerie argues that inasmuch as Louis
will lose caste by marrying her. 1t Is best
they enter into what are politely termed
common law relations. Louis throws this
proposition down hard and tramples on It,
"a great climax being reached at the end
az the third act when he runs away from
the pleading Valerie. Louis Neville's
mother, however, finally relents, and the
play ends by Valerie consenting TO be
married properly.
No great plot, to be sure. yet the play
las its share of epigrams and lines OF
satire and philosophy. There is also a
subsidiary love affair and interpolated
comedy which never saw the inside OF
Chambers novel What effect the stage
pictures will have on minds which have
been impressed with the wash drawings
which illuminated the original novel is
problematical There seems to be no at
tempt to stage the production closely
upon the lines of those original illustra-
tions and descriptions.
Margaret Greene. who plays the part of
Valerie West. will find many admirers
this week. She has a share of simplicity
and sweetness in her personality that al
ways counts. Robert Dempster. as Louis
Neville. presents a fine picture of manly
young man, although his role does not
reach any marvellous dramatic heights.
When he has an opportunity he makes the
best use of it. Maidel Turner, as Rita
Tevis, is interesting actress in this
play, as she convinces an audience that
she really feels what she has to say.
Thomas p. Jackson makes his own role
of Sam Ogilvy. putting in it a breezy
western air which Robert W. Chambers
probably never dreamed of