The Washington herald., 1913-12-21
-Review of the Past Week
In NeW York TheaterS

: his splendid voice and dlcton we're not
to be denied. His loving of Desdemona
lacked the magnificent paternal, protect
ing, and caressing quality that marked
the othello of Salvini, but was delightful
in the combination Of passion and pure
regard that it evinced. In the stormeir
moments the English actor let his voice
fall into the throat tones to the point
where he became almost inarticulate, and
whole lines were lost. This may in life
be the first effect of strong emotion, but
with men in sustained feeling the voice
rises and becomes more staccato rather
than muffied.
At the beginning, when Othello in SIM
pie speech refutes the charge Of sorcery
brought against him by Desdemona's
father, he was both dignified and pic
turesque in appearance. His features are
not those one easily associates with
Moorish blood, but surmounted by the
turban and colored brown, they gain ac-
! ceptance as of the unusual types to be
found in every race. In later scenes,
with the turban removed and the fine,
somewhat gray English hair undisguised
by wig or cosmetic. the combination be-
came a discordance that took dignity and
force from the portrayal. In fact, in
moments Of passion that called for strong
facial play there were suggestions of
the ridiculous. Followed by calm and
the resumption of impressive tone and
bearing, Forbes-Robertson was in his
own field, and left the final impression
that while his Othello is not great, 1t is
well studied and most interesting.
Developments in Movies.
The rapidly growing Importance of the
moving pictures and their close alliance
to the theater proper lends interest 20
some recent occurrences. The first is the
conversion of David Belasco to their i'm
portance commercially and artistically.
1.-THE Temperamental Journey having
worn out its New York possibilities NJ.
Belasco found himself with theater on
his hands and no dramatic attraction to
put on its stage.
An unused theater can eat its head on
faster than a lame horse in the stable,
so, in conjunction with Daniel Froh-
man, Mr.. Belasco has put the fairy play,
"A Poor Little Devil" into film form,
and in a week or two 1t is to take up
its work of earning an income for the
Republic. The piece has just been
shown for a preliminary matinee at the
BeIasco, and with a Belasco elaborate
ness of preparation that marks new
departure in the movies and helps ele-
yate them to the realm Of regular the
atrical attractions.
The stage of the Belasco was elab- |
orately decorated with plants ard flow |
tie more than usual and among the |
greenery, low enough down not to OBJ |
struct the view, was a numerous or
chestra of women, who played appro- |
pirate and high. class mrsic through the |
whole display of the films. At GER
tain episodes they were relieved by |
concealed chorus that sang words fitte ed /
to the action of the play, as it was
shown on the screen. In the pictures
themselves .here was evidence Of the |
craft of BelascO in fitting the scenes Of
"A Poor Little Devil to their new
medium. The result is. perhaps, the
best that has yet been attained in adapt
ing American stage work to the re-
quirements OF the moving picture, and
indicates that when better theatrical
brains than have hitherto beer used get
to work on this form of entertainment
its future scope is going to be consld-
erably greater than It has been in the
past.
Cream of fhe New York Theaters.
Coming back to the theater proper 1t -
evident that there is no need Of going to
lurid plays or unquestionable moving
pictures for lack of wholesome entertain
ment.
There is no question of either the art
or the cleanliness provided in the offer
ing of the visiting Englishmen, Cyril
Maude and orpeS-hooerISon Win tnelrI
varied repertoires, and Peg o. Ny
Heart" with its clean sentiment is still
with u.s. although its companion in the
way of a long run, Within the Law" Is
now in its last fortnight Two women
stars OF varied attractiveness shine in
different mediums, Elsie Ferguson in
The Strange Woman" and Ethel Bar
rymore in "Tante." "Prunella" will be
found dainty nd poetic. If you like your
fun Jewish. see Potash and Perlmut-
ter; If you like it Irish and witty, see
Gen. John Regan." II you need SEN
sation, you will find it in the melo-
dramas, The Man Inside and AT
Bay" If you are not easily shocked you
will find varied entertainment in the five
playlets at the Princess and in Madam
President at the Garrick. BY way Of
farcical comedy is The Marriage |
Game" For comic operetta, Adele" {
and THE Madcap Duchess are of good |
quality. At the Hippodrome are bigness
brilliancy and thrills with tank episodes
in addition. You need not starve for
amusement in New York.