The Washington herald., 1913-11-11
NEW NATIONAL.
ssDisraeli.~

II the spirit of Benjamin Disraeli. Earl
| OF Beaconsfield, still can take interest in
mundane happenings, he must contem-
plate with no little enjoyment the form
and manner in which Louis N. Park or
presents him. Mr.. Parker has undoubt-
edly taken considerable liberties with
history, as he himself candidly confesses,
but he has none the less given US a fair
portraiture Of England's great Jew in
his social aspect, and has also provided
| plausible admixture of things which
| that statesman might have done IN his
official life. Brilliant as Dizzy was,
he also was at times much given to pos
ing" whether for effect or otherwise.
and this peculiarity of his character is
cleverly and entertainingly brought out
in Mr.. Parker's play, "Disraeli," which
had its first presentation in Washington
at the New National Theater last night
before one OF the largest audiences that
has gathered there thus far this season.
Mr.. Parker has taken for his back
ground Of the plot Disraeli,sa greatest
achievement-the acquisition by Great
Britain of the control of the Suez Canal
and has woven around this a mort de-
lightful fabric of romance and intrigue.
Dizzy is made TO appear not only as
an adept in statecraft, but also as sort
of deus ex maehina in Dan Cupids do
main, for 1t is due to his kindly interest
that Charles Viscount Deefor6. is trans
formed from a ridiculous cad into a really
efficient man Of affairs and Joined to
Claricca Pevensey, the girl whom he
loves, and who loves him.
The play bristles with bright lines.
most OF which. OF course, fall to the
share of the principal character. In
fact, IL any fault may be found with the
text 1t is that the dialogue Of the less
important personages in the play in
many instances comes dangerously near
being commonplace But as q whole the
action is engaging, and the fire Of sar-
casm and wit SO incessant that one may
well overlook occasional shortcomings.
There is one scene in which the author
gives his hero a splendid opportunity to
show forth passion, and that is when
Disraeli forces the governor Of the Bank
of England to honor the check which a
Jewish banker, be krupted by the in
trigues OF Russian agents, has given in
payment OF the canal shares.
1t is doubtful II in the whole range of
contemporary actors any other could be
found so admirably adapted 10 the title
role as is George Arliss Physically and
facially he is a perfect counterfeit Of
Dizzy as that statesman is seen in
portraits, and in action he Stimulates with
greatest plausibility the well-known man.
nerisms and idiosyncracies of the
great premier Of the Victorian era But
Mr.. Arliss is no less happy in depicting
the. softer side of the man. The tender
affection for his wife is one Of the most
beautiful features Of the picture and
accentuated by-Mr. Arliss with touching
effect. Mr.. Arliss has created a stage
personality which will be always dis
tinctly associated with him.
Florence Arliss gives a very sympa-
thetic impersonation of Lady Beacons-
field. imparting to that role truly
womanly charm. Violet Heming, a
favorite of Washington's theater-fre-
Quenting public, is altogether delightful
in the part Of Lady CIarissa Pevensey,
not only because she Is so fair to look
upon, but also because she meets every
requirement so completely. Margaret
Dale presents an excellent character
sketch in the part of Mrs. Noel Travers,
the Russia spy and intriguer.
Pressure Of time and space must plead
excuse for a mere mention of the other
added his or her full share to the COM
pleteness of the performance. Leila
Repton, as Duchess of Glastonbury;
Henry Carvill, as the Duke; Arthur FL
dred, as Viscount Deeford; Dudley
Digges, as Lumley Foljambe; Oscar
Adye, as Mr.. Hugh Meyers; Charles
Harbury, as Sir Michael Probert; Harold
Thomas, as Viscount Cudworth; Lila
Campbell, as Lady Cudworth; Noel
as Lady Brooke; St Clair Bayfield,, as
Potter Disraslias gardener, are all en-
titled to commendation.
1t remains but to be said that the
ladies' gowns were marvels of elegance
and true pictures of the period in which
the action is laid, and the scenic equip
ment was simply perfect.