The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-04-29
NEW NATIONAL.
David Waraeld in "The Return OF
Peter Grimm"

Peter Grimm"
Mr. Belasco does not intend to advance any theory
to the probability Of the return of the main
character Of this play For the many. 1t may Be
said that he could exist only in the minds Of the
characters grouped about HMM their sub-con-
soous mcmories For the few. his presence win
embody the theory Of the survival Of persistent
personal energy. This character has. 90 far As
possible been treated to accord with either thought
The above is the explanatory note
which David Belasco inserts in the pro-
gramme of his most remarkable play,
THE Return of Peter Grimm" which
was presented for the first time in
Washington at the National Theater
last night with David Warfield. Ameri-
cas- best loved actor. in the title role.
The Return of Peter Grimm has
been described properly as a spiritual
istic drama, and with his usual discre-
ton and his marvellous sense Of the
dramatic. Mr.. Belasco has succeeded in
handling convincingly and entertaining
ly subject which would seem to be
impossible of theatrical treatment.
Peter Grimm is wealthy horticul-
turalist, headstrong, but Infinitely kind
and generous He has in his household
Catherine, the orphaned daughter of an
old friend, and William, the nameless
grandson of his housekeeper. A third
Peters nephew, who is to DE the heir
to Peters fortune. and who is to per-
petuate the line of Grimms. Peters
heart Is set upon the marriage OF Cath
crime and Frederik, and the girl, al
though she loves James, Peters secre-
tary, consents to- the engagement be-
cause she knows that this is Uncle Pet
er's dearest wish, and she owes him
everything in life.
Nm he bof he ~
the two young people is agreed upon
Peters heart fails him and he dies
seated In his armchair at the fire.
place.
The second act takes place ten days
later, the day before the wedding OF
Frederik and Catherine. 1t has only
taken this long to prove that Frederik
is unworthy of the trust reposed in him
and unworthy of the love of any noble
woman, for he is the father OF william,
the nameless boy, and he has deserted
the mother who writes. pleading for as
sistance, but the letter falls into the
hands of Frederik instead of Peter. to
whom ii had been addressed.
And now Peter returns to his home in
an effort to undo the harm which his
stubpornness and his selfish will are
about to bring about He first APP
proaches Frederik and tries to make
his voice heard He pleads with the
young man to listen to his conscience;
to release Catherine from her promise;
TO acknowledge the son who is Ill up
stairs. The message reaches Freder1k's
heart, but he will not yield to the i'm
pulse.
Next Peter tries to reach Catherine, and
his influence is felt, but the will Of the
living Peter is still more potent than the
plea Of the one who has come back from
the grave, and the visitant from the world
beyond is. almost ready to despair when
he thinks of William. 1t is the i'll child
who finally receives the message from
Uncle Peter, and it is he who eventually
exposes the sordidness and the shame Of
Frederik. The engagement is broken.
Catherine and James are united, and the
poor little nameless waif, with no hope
of receiving recognition from his father
joins Uncle Peter and journeys with him
into realm OF peace and happiness.
Mr.. Warfield, in the role of Peter Grimm,
gives an impersonation which touches
every heart. 1t is distinguished by the
most searching pathos and the most eff
fective dramatic intensity, enIivened with
a quaintness of humor which is character
istically Warfieldian. We may sigh for
the loss of a Music Master, but we will
all rejoice in the advent Of lovable hard
headed, optimistic Peter Grimm.
Win mis- accustomed skill ana care,
Mr.. Belasco has surrounded his star with
a company of exceptional merit. Miss
Marie Bates is seen as the gossipy med
dlesome Mrs. Bartholommey, wife of the
pastor, and her characterization is a
noteworthy comedy achievement Thomas
Meigham is seen as James; Joseph Bren-
nan is capital as the physician, who be-
lieves in the return of the dead; Miss
Janet Dunbar is a charming figure as
Peters ward, and Master Percy Helton
gives a performance of wonderful nat
uralness and freedom from all sophistica-
tons as the nameless boy. William.
The Return of Peter Grimm" is
staged with an elaboration Of detail that
is so engrossing as to share interest with
the players
Last nights audience was particularly
responsive to the appeal of the play
wright and players. Mr.. Warfleld, how
ever, declined to make curtain speech,
one of his associates explaining that
owing to the peculiar character of the
role in which he was appearing it was
obviously inappropriate that he should
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