The Washington herald., 1913-10-21
NEW NATIONAL.
..The strange woman

Consistency is not in following the
things you have said, but in following
the higher thought" In this sentiment
lies the keynote of William Hurlbuts
three-act comedy. THE Strange Wom-
an" which had its premiere at the New
National Theater last night. The words
are spoken very near the close Of the
play, but they illuminate and proclaim
its spirit. In that declaration the CEN
tral figure sacrifices on the altar of her
!ove for the man of her choice all that
she had held dear as the intense con-
victions born of bitter experience and
suffering. An unhappy marriage has
caused her to rebel against the conven-
tions of society as expressed in the wed
ded state, and she has resolved to give
herself to the man she loves untram-
meled by "the few words mumbled" by
one authorized by church or state. The
spontaneous, all-absorbing love of
mother for her son; the sacrifices and
privations for his sake willingly. gladly
Undergone; the recompense she finds in
the success that has come to him through
all these offerings, lead the soul yearning
for the very highest pinnacle of a wom-
ans life to the haven OF spiritual rest
and happiness.
Inez de Pierrefond, born in New Or
leans. but nearly all her life a resident
of Paris, has reached in her mind the
conclusion that the only rational and
proper union of man and woman is that
which is not hedged in by the forms of
law and the dictates of society. In Paris
she meets John Hemingway, a young
architect from Delphi, an Iowa village,
whom the hriIliancy of her intellect wins
over to her views and between these two
the old, old story is rehearsed. John
brings his fiancee to his mothers home
in the Western village. The little circle
of men and women who have spent all
their lives in commonplace thought and
action, turn upon the strange woman
who fearlessly bares before them her in
nermost faith. OF course, they fail to I'M
Gerstand her. They charge her with be-
ing a propagandist of free love, and it is
then that she, with imprisoned speech,
brings 1t home TO them that they are
but a parcel Of pitiful hypocrites. She
is on the point of explaining her views
to Johns mother, but the mothers
simple recital of her unselfish loving
care for her son brings about not only
the abandonment of her intentions, but
complete transformation in her phi
losophy. and she tells John that they
will be married in the same church
where his parents were wed and by the
same minister.
The Strange Woman is one OF the
most delightful plays that has been
brought to Washington. The central
scheme, which might easily jar upon
ones sensibilities il less delicateIy treat
ed, is developed with consummate deft-
ness. II is study in psychology cloth
ed in the garb Of comedy. The whole
atmosphere of the play is one of artis-
tic simplicity. in which the complexity
Of the heroines mentality is elucidated
with exceeding cleverness. 1t has an
a ctr Il
ity is of the very best. and the dialogue
fairly bristles with bright points.
Elsie Ferguson invests the part of Inez
with rarest charm. She gives the most
refined expression to the intense love
which she imagines to be based on the
lessons taught her by her experience.
On the other hand. she was magnificent
in the outburst of Indignation against
the gossips and defamers. and inexpres-
sibly fine was the final scene where Inez
lays aside all the ideals to which she
has clung and crowns herself with hu-
mility. Miss Ferguson's creation made a
profound impression upon her audience.
An admirable supporting company
added greatly to the enjoyment OF the
performance. Every part was given its
just due, and equal praise can be be-
slowed upon each and every one in the
cast. Charles d. Waldron as John Hem
ingway, Sara Won Deer as Johns mother,
Sarah Mcvicker as Kate McMasters, and
Otto F. Hoffman as the Iatter's husband.
Alphonz Either as Walter Hemingway
and Lois Frances Clark as Clara, his
wife; Frances whitehouse as Cora Whit
man, George Drew Mendum as May
Armstrong, Mrs. Felix Morris as Mrs.
Able, Hugh Dillman as Charles Able,
and Annie Buckley as Mary, could none
of them have been improved upon.