The Washington herald., 1913-03-11
NEW NATIONAL.
Na.imova In "BelIa Donna"

NasfmOva In "BeIla Donna.
A woman totally depraved, without one
lredeeming trait in her character;
lavaricious, mean. dishonest, q liar. SEN
sual; stopping short at nothing to CRAFTY
her selfish passions, not even at an at
tempt upon her devoted husbands life
such is the chief figure in Bella
Donna" the dramatized version by
James Bernard Pagan, of Robert
Hichens' novel, which had its first pre-
sentation In Washington at the New Ma
tional Theater. last night. with Mime.
Ala Nazimova in the title role. The in
terest inspired by every new dramatic
venture of this remarkable actress is
also aroused in this. her latest one, be-
cause In spite of the moral aversion with
which the authors creation is contem-
plated, Nine. Nazimova's art is an un-
failing source of delight. However
much one may regret that she should
choose such a character as Bella Donna
for the exploitation of her talent yet
one cannot withhold the tribute of ad-
miration which so complete realization
of the authors fancy compels. In
'Hedda Gabler." 1.-The Master Builder
"A Dolls House." ''The Comet" and
other plays of her repertoire there is the
incentive OF psychological study. In
l"Bella Donna" nothing of that sort is
called for. Only the figure of Messa-
lima is set before US without apology for,
or palliation of, the montrosity.
Mrs. Cheptow, divorced because OF her
total Indifference to the behest of the
seventh commandment, has inveigled
into marriage Nigel Armine. brother Of a
childless peer. and presumptive heir to
the latter's large fortune, and successor
to the peerage. This, notwithstanding
the efforts of his friend. DR.. Meyer
20 "a r1niOn Thpv go
to Egypt. where, shortly after their ar
rival Armine gets a letter from his
brother informing him of the birth of
male twins. Bella Donna's prospect of
wealth and entry into the ranks OF aris-
tocracy are shattered by this event AL
ready her perverse nature has wearied
Of her husbands uniform kindness, and
her animal passion has found an object
in Baroudi, an Egyptian millionaire. who
is willing to take her into his harem II
she will put Armine out of the way.
Silently she consents, and Baroudi gives
her a subtle poison with which to accom-
plish their joint purpose. Arrnine and
she sail up the Nile in Baroudfs yacht,
which is manned by Baroudi's servants.
one OF whom, Hanna, every day mixes
the fatal draught which undermines Ar
mines health. Just in the nick of time
DR.. Isaacson arrives upon the scene, hav-
ing become alarmed by the absence of
news from his friend. He at once COM
prehends the situation, and. by threaten
ing the woman with an appeal to the
police, compels her to place Armine In
his charge.
Arminies health restored, Isaacson
tells him CT the woman's dev'lish pur-
pose, but only arouses the still trustful
husbands ire, and is ordered from the
house. Upon reflection. however. he in
forms Bella Donna of the PHYSICIANS
accusations against her. She, on the
point of going to Baroudi. burst into
an admission of her infidelity and her
attempt to kill Armine. Baroudi refuses
to receive her because of her failure to
accomplish her husbands death, and
when she returns to her home DIR. Isaac
son shuts the door against her. The end
has come for her.
more repulsive portrait than Nine
Nazimova's Bella Donna it would be
hard to imagine. From the moment Of
the woman's entrance into DR.. Isaac
sons room to her final exit into the
night. the actress brings before the eye
and the mind of her audience the vile
ness with which the author has clothed
the character. In every mien and ges-
ture, in every intonation of her speech,
in every movement Of her sinuous body,
in the very texture and cut of her
gown, she imparts the suggestion of a
nature to whom every honest or good
instinct has always been foreign. 1t is
not a pleasant impersonation that she
presents, but it is wonderfully artistic
and effective.
Robert Whitworth is admirable as
He visualizes with striking
effect the brutal lust mingled with the
Mohammedan's contempt for women.
Baroudi wants Bella Donna, but he
will take her only on his own terms.
and makes perfectly clear to her Just
the position in which she will be
placed If she comes to him, and when
she has failed he thrusts her from him
with brutal unconcern. Mr.. Whitworth
brings out all this with caneo-like dis
and gives a consistent inter-
probation of the character. Charles
Bryants DR.. Isaacson is one of the
most enjoyable, as it is one of the most
finished incidents of the play. With
quiet force, he brings out all the lights
and shades of the picture, and he made
a decidedly agreeable impression. Her
bert Percy was a most satisfactory
Armine. Claus Bogel as Hanna and A.
Romaine Calender as 1brahim added
two highly interesting portraitures,
and the minor parts of Mrs. March,
mont and Sir Henry Greve were well
taken care OF by Amy Veness and
william Hassen, respectively, while
Edward Fielding was good as DR..
Hartley.
The play is gorgeously staged and
richly equipped.