The Washington herald., 1914-04-14
NATIONAL.

Miss Ethel barrymore IN Iante.
with the exception OF THE Great Ad-
venture" the season has brought us no
artistic satisfaction so great as that OBJ
1-iously experienced at the New National
1rheater last evening in Miss Ethel
Barrymore's vivid conception and bril-
liant portrayal of "Tante," c. Haddon
Chambers dramatic version of Anne
Douglas Sedgewick's novel Of the same
name.
Even to those unfamiliar with the novel
upon which the comedy has been founded
the presentation of genius in the form
of Nine. Mercedes Okraska. known TO
her intimates as '"Tante'' is a remark
ably truthful study of artistic tempera-
ment The pianiste is so absorbed by her
craving for adulation that it becomes her
ruling passion. HeartleSs, hypocritical,
inordinately selfish, ''Tante' is a con-
scious poseur, ruled by her vanity and
her primeval instincts of jealousy and
/seIf-love. These qualities of character
carry her so far as to create dissension
in the home of her adopted daughter,
whose separation from her husband, the
musician, results because he has had the
temeriIy TO resist her beauty and her
genius.
Karen. the adopted daughter. heart
broken by what she is persuaded is in
Justice on the part of her husband to he-'
benefactress, leaves him and follows
''Tante" to her country home where she
becomes the recipient of the unwelcome
attentions Of an inspired poet who is one
OF the parasites Of Okraskas s household.
In nasty bit of temper the pianiste ac-
cuses the girl of flirting with the poet
and in frantic Jealousy drives her from
the house, and thus does the unfortunate
Karen learn the shallowness and baseness
OF her idol, and the true worth of the
man whose love and home she has left
The final curtain falls on the recon-
ciliation of the welded pair: the defeat
Of the perverse and stIn defiant "Tante."
who plays Chopins Funeral March as
an accompaniment to their happiness
.-Tante" gives Miss Barrymore the most
complex and curiously facinating role of
her career. and her performance in it is
imbued with a most subtle appreciation
Of humor, remarkable sympathy with the
spirit Of the character she vizualizes
presenting at the same time a tremendous
expansion of her technical facility.
Mr.. Chambers achievement in the max
ing Of this satirical comedy is a brilliant
one. In complete harmony is Miss
Barrymore's presentation Of unadulterat-
ed deTiltry with which the dominating
personality Of the piece is saturated. The
actress fairly exudes insincerity and de-
ceit, with a faithfulness to the nature
OF Okraska. which becomes at times al
most sinister.
In as complete harmony as Miss Barry
more's performance is with the spirit of
the ''Tante'' is the company surrounding
her with her own portrayal Every part
is played in a finely modulated key of
high comedy. individual excellence only
heightening the perfection of the whole.
Even the rooms which frame the four
acts suggest the tastes and habits of the
folk who occupy them. and the sartorial
accessories of the performance add still
another note Of harmony to Charles
Frohman's highly creditable production
Of Mr.. Chambers play.
Charles Cherry, as Jardine. the hus-
band OF the prosecuted Karen. is the
principal player in Miss Barrymore's
support. painting a virile. clean-cut. man.
ly chap with firm. artistic touch: pos
sessing an admirable conception of the
significance of the role which is. of
course, in direct antithesis of the de-
moraIizing artificiality of the heroine.
Miss Eileen Van Biene's Karen is an
appealing composite of simple girlish-
ness. loyalty. and love. while William
Ingersoll, as Franz Lippheim a German
violinist: L. Henry Edwards as Claude
as Mrs. Talcott. the only one of Tsnte $
little circle of sycOphants who has the
temerity TO speak the truth to her; Miss
Mabel Archdall as Mrs. Forester. and
Miss Haidee Wright as Miss ScrottOn
CbOth fawning over genius) add their
quota Of admirable characterization TO
complete the unity of an evening of sCn-
tillating entertainment.
JULIA c. MANI.