The Washington herald., 1913-01-14
AT IIf[IlIEE l|EiIblzzKIT I2lIzzS
NEW NATIONAL.
Otis skinner i'm "kixmet.,

Otis skinner I'm "kixmct."
''Kismet' Edward Knoblauch's Arab
ian Nights" play, with Otis Skinner as
the central figure, returned to the New
National Theater last night. That Mr..
Skinner has a loyal host Of admirers
in Washington was evidenced by an
audience which filed every part OF the
house. sat patiently till close to mid
night and missed no opportunity to as
sure him of its favor. There is pccu-
liar charm about Mr.. SINNERS person
atty and art No matter in what dis
guise he assumes ii fits him as COM
pletely as the proverbial paper on the
wall. A more finished actor the Amer
lean staga does not know today. 1t Ia
difficult to differentiate among his many
excellent qualities, but to most people
his superb elocution will appeal most
strongly. To hear Otis Skinner use the
English language is a never failing de-
light. In this respect-if he possessed
no other talents-he can be held up as an
example well worthy Of emulation py
every English-speaking actor.
As Hail the beggar. Mr.. Skinner mar
found perhaps the most varigated ara
matte garment with which thus far in
his career he has clothed himself. Hail.
though beggar, thief, lier; moved TO any
deed of shame through the mere love
of it: counting murder as nothing 10
satisfy his vengeance, escapes the susma
of total depravity by his loyalty TO the
memory of his dead wife. and by his
punishment Of the would-be betrayer OF
his daughter His son has been killed
and his wife stolen by the Sheik Jawan
whom Fate-Kismet-at last delivers into
his hands when both find themselves
together in a prison cell. There he
strangles his ancient enemy with savage
joy, nor later on does he hesitate TO
drown Jawan's son Mansur, the treach-
erous, lecherous wazir, who, under the
promise of marriage has lured Marsinah.
Halls daughter. into his harem. De-
vious are the ways by which the final
contamination of his revenge is accom-
plished, and it is a fit closing Of the
chain of events that the Calip Abdallah,
who loves Marsinah and weds her, spares
Halls life and bids him go to Mecca
and there wash away his sins in the
sacred well.
In this representation Mr.. skinner
passes through the widest possible va
rlety of moods. But whether it be the
Outburst of his rage upon recognizing
Jawan as the latter descends the steps
of the mosque. or the clever way in
which he swindles the merchants in the
bazaar. or his half playful. half malicious
tantaliZing of Narjis, his daughters
nurse; whether in the gripping scene in
the cell, where he wreakS vengeance.
or his final sorrow on being banished
from his beloved Baghdad-in each and
every one of these his art is so true that
not the slightest movement or a single
world losses its force. Whatever one
may saw about this latest addition to Mr..
SINNERS remarkable repertoire. il can
not be too highly praised.
The company with which Harrison
Grey Fiske. the manager and producer
of "Kismet.' has surrounded Mr.. Skim
ner, is in all respects eminently salts
factory. Rita Jolivet gave very at
tractive rendering of Marsinah. and was
ably seconded by Georgia Woodthorpe, as
Narjis, the nurse. Eleanor Gordon, as
Kut-al-Kulub, Mansur's wife. and
Genevieve Dolaro, as kabirah. were most
effective in the harem scene. and as the
Almah, Ivy Payne proved herself very
graceful dancer. Owen Mech. as the
Sheik Jawan. Hamilton Reuelle as the
wizier Mansur. Charles Darrah as
the Beggar Kasim. and Fred Eric, as
the Caliph Abdallah. could not have been
improved upon in their respective parts.
A decidedly pleasant incident OF the play
is the scene before the curtain in which
Ernest Leeman, as The Man, Jean Ford.
as The Woman. George Gaul as The
Story Teller. Youna as The Juggler, and
Ivy Payne, as The Dancer, gave n most
Agreeable entertainment.
The stage settings were not only elab-
crate, but had the real Oriental aspect
and contributed no little to the enjoy
ment of the audience.