Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-01-09
John Mason
Excellent IN
"The Attack"
Actor. Husky and Not Yet Fully
Recovered, Shows Grit by
Braving Attacks of Critics "
Bernstein's Great Play.

l
| Husky of voice and still showins
the effects of his recent illness, John
Mason showed both grit and deter
mination by appearing in the leading
role of Henri Bernstein's THE At
tack which opened at the Newark
Theatre last night. His voice at times
rose scarcely above a whisper, and
| he was not sure of it at any time
| This tended to make him conscious,
afraid perhaps that it would fail him
in one of his many great scenes.
| Under the circumstances he is de-
serving of commentator rather than
censure.
| In the role of Alexandra MeTitaI,
the French deputy fighting for his
political life, though a hard and try
ing one, Mr. Mason has role that
is peculiarly adapted to his style OF
acting. Several times last night he
| lost his own consciousness and en-
tered the role with heart and soul
MeritaI is a man in his fifties, but
still prime in body and mind. ambi-
ton and achievement. Beginning az
lawyer, he has entered politics.
risen to craftsmanship and bids fair
to carry the next Chamber, making
him prime minister of France. In
private life he lives in happiness with
] his two sons, grown to manhood, and
young daughter.
A guest of the household is Renee
| de. Rould, who. unknown to him, has
come to love Merital. He wishes her
to marry one of his sons, but sue
ceeds only in extorting from her the
confession that she is in love with
himself. Almost in spite of himself
his own spirits answer as honestly
and intuitively to the young girls
love. Throughout this scene which
is the first crucial episode in the play,
Mr.. Mason acts Merital with feel
ing and expression that carries one
/ away. In this scene. however, one
must not forget the excellence of the
| performance of Miss Martha Hedman
as Renee. She has an accent that is
| like music to ones ears Her emo
| tionai work in this one scene is es-
pecially praiseworthy.
| Then follows a short while later
another great scene between Merital
and old Frepeau, who has been his
ally and counselor in the formation
OF the new party he represents. But
Frepeau would not have Merital rise
too high in it, Feigning friendship
| he foments scheme and intrigue that
Shall wreck Merital's career by the
circulation of a scandal of his youth.
Merital suspects and makes ready TO
fight the devil with his own fire, for
frepeau's career has not been
| altogether stainless. In fact he had
laid the foundation of his present for
tune by bribery and the meanness of
biackmail. Merital assemblies his
proofs and then sends for Frepeau.
| and ironically unmasks him and sends
MIN away. ready to end the scandal
| over Merital that he himself may be-
| saved a scandal
This scene, which is really the best
of the play, severely taxed the
strength of Mr.. Mason last night. BY
| sheer Will power alone he went
through it with fever and a fire that
compelled one to wish that he was in
| good trim.
Sidney Herbert, as Frepeau. was
Well cast. His work throughout the
play was of general excellence. but in
TINS scene he surpassed himself.
OF Miss Hedman's work much misbt
be said. She rises to every oppor-
tunity, but not once did she overstep.
nor did she give the semblance OF
overacting. The leading characters
are we'll supported by the rest of the
cast.