The Washington times., 1914-10-06
AT CAPITAL THEATERS THIS WEEK
COLUMBIA.


4 Connecticut Avenue Melodrama''
The way the most interesting theater-
-er we know summed it all up after
itching the four tense acts of a most
nsistent and human story presented
/ a company of master craftsmen and
men at the premiere of Willard
sck' Birds of Prey at the Columbia
Il night. When the subtleties of that
''scription have been fully appreciated
will be found to fully cover every de-
l i OF construction. Interpretation and
oduction of the newest of A. II.
Gods finds. Willard Mack is said to
J ave used the basis of this play first as
vaudeville sketch. 1t is difficult to
.derstand how so much of a story
,,uld be condensed into the few min
les of such production, because
Birds of Prey does not end when'the
rtain falls on the last act. 1t does
II end until long afterward, when the
I udience has passed from under the
0el of the players and is once more
fccure in the accustomed humdrum rou-
tine of the real things outside the thea
1nr- l. is the kind of a play the effect
O. which cannot be tossed aside with
the program.
oeals with a couple who are not really
{ looks. The man had served a term in
ne penitentiary for forgery. The wom-
n was intensely, militantly honest, and
ways had been. The story that is
ola is how they maintained their hon.
sly despite the traps set for them by
leir forced companionship with crooks
. no the desire of the officers of the law
:" get even with the newspapers for
marsh comments on their failure to clear
up the theft of diamond necklace.
During the last ten or twelve years
"a 1aI &C
: Judgment On a number of plays that
'e ealt with criminals and the accepted
olice methods Of dealing with them.
While most of the things found in the
"ther plays of this kind are included in
Rirds of Prey" there is something
more in the new piece There is a hu-
nan quality that this reviewer believes
me others did not possess. If playgoers
re not tired of the whole motif to the
J Oint of exhaustion, it is this quality
whioh ii is believed will make the new
J roduction the greatest success of them
Like all of the really big things that
ave been presented on the stage the
idea has only contributed
1artly to the success of Birds of Prey"
The company which produced the piece
ras one of the best balanced and cor
ectly cast that has been seen in Wash
1gton. While the couple around whom
ne action of the piece revolved have
uaturally what would be called the lead
0g parts, the manner in which every
I haracter was presented makes it al
most impossible for the reviewer to
select any one player for special COM
nent. Despite the obvious opportunity
resented several of the actors, there
OF only was not the slightest attempt
overdo, but there was no single in
stance of an actor or actress trying to
the center of the stage. The
cam work was perfect.
John Barrymore and Jane Grey de-
veioped the central figures of the drama
with delicacy and understanding that
has come to be expected of two such
artists. At no time did the
audience forget just what these two
Deople had been, were being, and hoped
10 be. Forrest Winant was a sodden
morphine fiend without being repulsive:
Edward Gillespie and Paul Everton
looked the parts of the deputy chief Of
police and the little-souled detective, as
we'll as acted them; Edith Browning
gave a repressed Characterization Of a
" Woman crook under the terrific mental
strain that was convincing and never
ANNA Mack Berlein and
K Katherine Harris. as the keeper OF a
rooming house and her fiippant young
laughter, lent the touch of comedy to
The play which somewhat relieved its
-enseness; Maidel Turner was brilliant
ex-shoplifter, and Edward J. Mack and
Lionel Adams filled the very smallest
parts in the play to the point that
made them absolutely essential.
II is probable that the playwright
will be compelled to clear up some Of
his ideas of time to smooth out the pro
duction. 1t is inconceivable to most
spectators why il required the two lead
ing characters such a very long time
to reach police headquarters after the
third act, when II meant so much to
hem to get there as quickly as possible.
There were other inaccuracies of the
sine character that must be remedied
before the play becomes the big sue
'ess the general idea and the cast that
present it deserve.
GARDNER MACK.