The Washington herald., 1913-02-25
NATIONAL THEATER.
John Mason, in "The Attack"

John Mason, in "The Attack
Henri Bernstein. author of The
Thief" Samson" Israel" and other
plays which have won notable success in
this country. is responsible for The At
tack" a drama produced at the Gymnase
Theater In Paris last spring, the Ameri-
can rights of which were secured by
Charles F'rohman for John Masons
starring tour of the present season.
The piece had its first Washington
presentation at the New National Thea
ter last night, Mr.. Mason appearing in
the role of Alexandra Merjtal. which was
originated by Lucien Guitry.
Mr.. Bernstein, who is one of the fore
most playwrites of France is of the
Jewish race and began his career as a
broker in Paris, not attempting play
writing until financial reverses forced
him to take UP literary career. Writ
ing thus without previous study he dared
from the first to present to the super
refined Partisan, accustomed to the wire
drawn ramihcations of thought, plays
which deal with primitive, almost pri-
mordial instincts. and it isn't strange
that their appetites, jaded by the entire
NETS of Scribe. Sthdou and DEnnery,
to say nothing OF countless modern writ
ers of plays, responded with something of
gratitude to Bernstein's almost brutal
roughness. This appeal was not confined
10 the French metropolis, for Bernstein
has created so loyal an American follow
ing that the inclination is to forgive the
banality of the story of THE Attack"
10 overlook the inferlority of this his
latest work, remembering only the power
and appeal of former achievements.
THE Attack is an inconsistent, arti-
fetal and theatrical piece, of no high
order of workmanship. but it contains
severaI sentimental and mclo-dramatic
situations which become most effective
in the hands of that splendid actor,
John Mason. who creates the Impression
throughout the unfolding of the story
that he is greater than his role.
Reduced to SIMPLE terms, THE Attack
is a story of blackmaiIer beaten at his
own game. Alexandra Merital, emf
nent French politician, is a man in his
fifties, but still in the prime OF life men
tally and physically. Beginning as a
lawyer. he has entered politics. risen to
craftsmanship, and bids fair TO carry
the next chamber. which will make him
the prime minister of France. In his
private life he lives in happiness with
his sons-grown to manhood-and his
daughter in the first blush of woman
hood. \ guest in his household, Renee de
Rould. is a beautiful young woman who
has come into the realization of love for
Merital, VINO wishes her TO marry one
of his sons but succeeds only in eXtort-
himself. Here We have theatrical scene
in which Mr. Mason. Merital displays
the versatile resources of Il highly train
ed comedian. making the scene plausible
only by dint of the adroitness with which
he handles 1t. Amazed. fattered, his
emotions deeply stirred, Meritai protests
at first that love between this girl ana
himself is impossible. dwelling on the
DISPARITY Of age, illusion of youth, and
what not, but yields to her insistance in
the end
The acting of Mr. Mason is so nat
uraI so rich in detail. SO indicative of
the fnesse of the artist that it covers
the thickness of the scene and won
the enthusiastic appreciation of the
audience last night.
Then just when his happiness seems
most secure. comes a tense scene with
old Frepeau. who has been his ally
and counselor in the forming of the
new party which Merital represents.
FeigninE friendship, Frepeau ferments
an intrigue which shall wreck Meri-
tails career by the newspaper Circula-
tion of scandal of his youth. Meri-
tai becomes suspicious of him and
makes ready 10 fight the devil with his
own fire: for Frepcau's career has been
by no means stainless one. Merital
: n assemblcs his proofs of tn" bribe-tak-
ing upon which Frcpeau's fortune has
and sits down TO wait for him. Here
ensues a scene which is responsible for
much of the success of the play Ere
pcau is smilnEly braZen. Merital rs
cold. ironical. and resolute as he
charges his professed friend with be-
ing the instigator and promoter of the
attack upon him. an accusation which
is at first indignantly denied; but in
the face of MeritaTs proofs admitted
in the end to be true. The episode is
highly melodramatic, and is Interpreted
by Mr.. Mason with vigor and skill.
One can rely upon one strong senti-
mental situation in every one of Bern
STEMS plays In THE Attack it comes
in the second act, after Merital has eN-
posed his supposed friend and averted
scandal for himself. When he has but
just come through his word duel with
Frepeau flying colors of victory, the
girl Renee comes to him. and his tender
Conscience-which did not cavil over using
blackmailing methods to suppress true
testimony-wiIl not allow him to deceive
the girl who trusts him. He makes con-
fession to her in a scene which is sincere
in feeling and most potent in effect. what
ever one may have to say of its consist
ency. After confessing his guilt to Renee,
Merital, thinking he has killed her love,
walks unsteadily from the room.
With eloquent simplicity, Mr.. Mason
demonstrating his versa tility in A moving
tale which gives the varied play OF his
emotions ample scope.
Martha Hedmau. who is Mr.. Mason's
new leading woman portrayed the role Of
Renee de Rould in fashion which en-
rompasses few of the emotional possibiii
ties of the character Miss Hedman Is
q young Swedish actress and a new
corner to America. She is of the blond
type, and possesses much charm OF per-
sonRlity.
Sidney Herbert whom We have seen in
other Bernstein plays. especially THE
Thief scored last night a great per-
sonsl success in the vlvId portrait ne
painted OF Frepeau, sharing high honors
with Mr.. Mason in the big scene between
the two men.
The minor roles. which were capably
handled by Clinton Preston and Frank
IIollins as the two sons of Merltal,
Charlotte Ives his daughter. ana VIII
fred Draycott as his friend, are OF small
importance in the telling of Mr.. Bern
STEMS story. the success of which is due
more largely TO Mr.. Masons skillful
artistry than to any other factor.
J. C. MANI.
THE ACADEMY.