The Washington herald., 1913-01-07
THE BELASCO.
.Eyerywoman.'

The return to the Belasco Theater, last
night, of Walter Brownies exquisite allie
CORY ''Everywoman' was sgnalized by
| the presence Of a capacity audience that
followed with almost reverent attention
| the ;unraveling OF the skein OF a woman's
| life. The programme announces that the
play tells of every womans pilgrimage
| in quest of love, and in this case the
| announcement is in reality the epitome
| of the action. "Everywoman'' is one of
| the best of modern stage products. 1t
bears a message of truth and drives 1t
home in language and pictures SO chaste,
| yet SO convincing, that intellect as well
as sentiment are satisfied. 1t is a classic
which ought to become one of the treas
ures of the English stage. In every
scene 1t makes an appeal to everything
that is noble in woman's nature, and at
the. same time shows the pitfalls that
lie in every woman's way through life.
Its essential lesson is that deviation from
the straight line of truth inevitably car
ries the penalty of heart sorrow and de-
basement of spirit, but II also conveys
the consoling assurance that the harm
that has been done by heedlessness may
be repaired by retracing the steps along
the road which leads to the shelter of
home and loving hearts.
"Everywoman" is a specially valuable
contribution to contemporary literature
in that 1t contains a warning to the
young who have still to learn that all
that glitters is not gold. II shows the
perils of superficial friendship. Of in
ordinate seeking after pleasure, of
yielding to the impulse OF the senses
rather than listening to the voice of
reason. In addition to its esthetic value
II has the merit OF telling its story in
-.
those incidents which are intended to
depict vice I'm more or less alluring
forms are relieved of grossness by deli
cacy of diction. There is not a scene
that has not some special beauty
To see such a play acted by such a
company as that which Henry Savage
has provided, and staged by the master
hand of George Marion, is so rare a
treat that one is in danger of indulging
in eXtravagant praise. Miss That's Ma
Crane gives to the part of Everywoman
the touch of excellent good taste and
sympathetic grace. The progress
through the various experiences that
begin with youthful exuberance. carry
her through the temptations and dam
gers of frivolity. and finally bring her
to the realization of the beauty Of
truth and the happiness of pure love. In
visualiZed by this actress with rare
charm.
One of the most enjoyable incidents
of the performance is the wonderfully
fine expression which II. Cooper Cliffe
gives to the character OF Nobody In !
the hands of less gifted actor II would |
lose Its chiefest charm-the impressive |
lesson of justice and fairness to woman's !
failings. Mr.. Cliffe's inpersonation is |
absolutely perfect in this and every other
respect. and his splendid reading is a !
positive JOY.
Others of the cast to whom special |
mention is due are Patricia Collinge as
Youth, Pauline de Lorme as Beauty, Lois !
Meredith as Modesty. Norma Hark as
Conscience, and that eyer-sterling ac-
tress, Marie Wainwright, as Truth. John |
Peachy as Flattery, Harry Vernon as !
King Love the First, Clyde Benson and |
Emmett Shackelford as Bluff and Stun. |
theater managers, and that finished ac- |
tor. Frederic de Belleville. as Wealth |
also contributed to the completeness of |
the presentation. All the minor parts |
were in competent hands. The dances |
were well arranged, and the scenic set |
ting was most elaborate.