Evening star., 1913-12-02
New National.

After a player has been seen III i GER
tain line Of parts for number of sea-
sons identity is so Impressed that a
devoted following is likely to regard
each new offering as displaying a
fayorite figure in a new series Of adven-
lures The manner IN which the sur
roundings and incidents Of each success
sive play serve to bring out the traits OF
individuality. which have come 10 exer-
else permanent charms. is to large de-
gree the test of the vehicles merits.
Miss Billie Burke has fitted across
each seasons scene with a smile ike a
flash of sunshine on a butterfly wing
and laugh like song of BIRDS Sht
has been regarded as one or the pets ~
fortune. No tears have been expected
from her save those which meant no
more than April showering. Her new
play. The Land of Promise. rs some
thing of shock and n surprise, as IL re-
yea the petted golden-haired heroine IN
SURROUNDINGS of rugged haTshness bat
Ting with the conditions OF pioneer HE
among unfriendiy and unsympathic peo-
pie.
II is obvious that Mr.. Somerset Maug-
hams latest piece. The Land Or Prom
ise was not written to order for Miss
Burke. 1t tells OF the Canadian plains
and views the unsettled stretches of the
north with the eyes Of England ana not
thpSc OIL America. It's CHdi a1tCio 60
well drawn. Its action progresses with
a vigorous stride calculated TO sweep
aside or crush the delicate transciencies
of mood which constitute Miss Burke
most effective appeal
While the play has happy ending.
II is rather too big in its thought to
be called a comedy in the accepted sense
of the term. The climax OF the third
act is reversion to the scenes and IN
stincts of primeval man, harsh and ter
-fyter 4
distance that the stage has departed
in its idealisms from the old pioneer
romance that swayed sympathy when
Frank Mayo represented the rude but
chiva!rous DaVy Crockett, who would
have thrown himself TO the wolves rather
than cause a sensitive girl moments
terror. But Mr.. Maughams play is a
play Of unciviliZation- 1t deals with per-
spectives where mile after mile shows no
trace of human fellowship. The last
act which brings the fragile. offended
heroine into sympathy with the great
work OF redeeming the wilderness and
awakens her admiration OF the strength
and Self-SacrifiCe of the man whom she
had al first despised. gives il human
consistency ar1 a powerful element of
rugged romano
Miss Burke's desire to play a serious
role is but natural That her old
admirers. who would have welcomed her
always as one of the sunshiny episodes
of each season should be inclined to pro-
test against her appearance in tears and
somber gowns. is no less natural. To
willingly assist in establishing this
charming star in the line of roles sug
gested by Norah Marsh would be like
saying farewell to romping playfellow
whose future triumphs cannot compen-
safe the selfish disappoin tment at the
loss
The play is we'll cast. The work of
Shelley Hall as Frank Taylor gives him
unquest tionable rank as one of the best
leading men of the current stage. His
performance has natural vitality, tenn
pered with excellent discretion.
Lillian kingsbury had the part of the
sister-in-law, whose harshness makes
Billie Burkes life a burden during the
second act. and played it we'll. but with
a demonstrative energy that over
whelmed the scenS
The play has interest and vigor and
1he appearance of Miss Burke in Il
drama of this style and quality cannot
fail to arouse curiosity. even though the
impressio of resentment may arise at
80 daring a change from Miss Burke's
customary surroundings of scene and
story.