Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-23

New National.
A conspicuous element Of interest IN
Fine Feathers" whose performance last
night opened the regular season at the
New National Theater, is the acting abil-
ity guaranteed by the names In the cast.
Mr.. Eugene Walter. the author, has spe-
cialized In the deiineation Of modern
characters who are likely to pass without
notice in the hurly-buriy Of ordinary
event He invites sympathy for dis
tresses and admiration for heroisms that
are too close in perspective to he well OBJ
served in the reality. His characteristic
theme is one of sordid struggle for happi-
ness or advancement In THE Easiest
Way the completion OF the story
rendered the play almost tragedy. In
Fine Feathers the effect Of tragedy IS
technically completed by the suicide of
the man whose life and morals have both
been wrecked by his efforts to crafty his
wife's love Of artificial display.
The extreme seriousness with which the
feminine love Of dress may operate has
often been illustrated on the stage-neyer.
perhaps. more brilliantly than In The
Thief" In that play the impulse to dis
honesty is emotional and overmastering.
1t is the expression OF Latin tempera-
ment. In Fine Feathers the dishonesty
is worked out by hard processes of rea-
soning. The temperament Is Anglo-Saxon.
1t is a battle of arguments. in which high
minded resolution Is beaten down blow BY
blow. Yet the Anglo-Saxon ideals OF
nome and honor are never wholly con-
quered. They are preserved by the ex-
piation OF voluntary death.
1t is a thoughtful play, which invites the
best endeavors of the prominent actors It
employees. MIR. Wilton Lackaye Ia always
interest compelling. In this play. he has
the part of the rich contractor who plays
upon the vanity Of young mans wife to
force him to assist in crooked money
making.
Mr.. Lackaye gives tho role both sub
tlety and power. Robert Edeson Is the
young husband, n manly figure full Of
debonnaire friend OF the family. genial
and whimsical, yet strong in character
fiber. Rose Coghlan had q role which
enabled her to impress her exceptional
talents; yet one all too scant In dramatic
interest. A player of exceptional talent
appointment in the mind of the auditor
who finds an entertaining character
gradually effaced until 1t has no share
in the elimination of the plot. The wife
who succeeds in conveying the impress
sion Of a brainy woman who, though
Inisled by superficial glamour. is brainy
wthal, and in crisis capable of self
sacrificing resolution. Lydia Dickson
has grotesquely amusing role in that
of the maid.
Although a tragedy. Zine Feathers"
is far from being poetic. 1t Is coiloquial
in diction, and commands enthralled at
tention by throwing the searchlight from
a keenly observant mind upon the cpl
sodes Of current existence.
Belasco.
II the continued interest of a goodly
audience, punctuated frequently with ap-
plause and emphasized with many cur
tain calls. may be relied upon as a guide
to the verdict, Mr.. George Scarborough's
new play. ''At Bay" at the Belasco. may
claim success. There are some cridities
and inaccuracies as to the relations be-
tween the secret service of the govern
ment and the police department Of WASH
| ington In murder Investigations.
It was well played by q cast Of superior
skill. 1t is melOdrama pure and simp.e,
and good melodrama at that. Its purpose
| is to interest and not to discuss eiusive
| relations. It is clean. even though it in
PRODUCES q Matchmaking lawyer and an
apparent mock marriage At times 1t re-
veals pleasing moments of pure comedy
and bright dialogue,
| Mr. Guy Standing, whose role in the
play is that of a c,ever and light-hearted
| Irish gentleman whose life has been
spent largely In adventure, presents a
| throughout. The role quickly wins SYM
pathy. and his manner OF impersonating
| it inspired admiration. 1t shows that MIR.
| Standing. good as Washington has long
| known him to be, has materially devel-
oped In his art.
| Miss Chrystal Hearne impersonateS the
girl heroine admirably. Her scene with
her father when she c0nfesses the MUIR
der develops rare emotional talent.
| II Edwin Mordaunt fails to impress, II
/ is rather because the author has given
him q role which Is not understandable
to the well informed Washingtonian. he
plays 1t for all 1t is worth but it does not
belong where 1t is. George Powell. as the
district attorney, Is both forceful and ef-
| fective, as also is Mario Majeroni, as the
blackmaiIing lawyer. Water Horton
makes dignified and satisfactory Father
Shannon, and John Herne a remarkably
good imitation Of Filipino servant.
| Others in the cast, which includes s. q.
Hines. Freeman Barnes, Edward Lahay.
| Charles Mason. Phyllis Young. Fred Hill
| ton and Henry Hadfield. are naturally
adequate In their respective roles.
The story Of AT Bay Is woven around
| tricked into a mock marriage and who
| falls in love with a daring and dashing
young Irishman who is determined to
make her his wife despite parental OBJ
JectfOn. Wnen their love story mas
reached interesting heights, the black
mailing lawyer, with a letter that will
disclose her secret. makes q demand for
| 81 600 and then offers to take the girl
herself when he finds she cannot pay. In
q struggle with him In his office she runs
| a letter ffle into his throat and kills him.
Then follows the successful attempt of
| her lover to shield her and exculpate
himself by bathing the police and the
chief Of the secret service. Final expla-
nations show her first marriage was not a
mock marriage. her first husband dead,
her father willing and the troubled couple
| happily united.
Columbia.
An autumn circus is, Of itself, a novelty
and a stage tent something SO new that
an audience crowded the Columbia last
night in anticipation Of Harris & Shaw's
novel idea Of a hippodrome aggregation
headed by Marceline. London's famous
| clown.
Riders. jugglers. acrobats and trained
| animals-even to the trick mule that no
one could ride-gave to the performance
! the glamour and thrill of a real circus.
with but one exception: The ushers fail
ed to cry out peanuts and pink lemonade.
Marceline, In the time-honored antics
| that tradition accredits to Grimald. as
the original. caused SHOUTS OF childish
laughter-fOr there were many children