The Washington herald., 1915-04-28
THE OPIUM Pipe
DAzzLES SOCIETY
Mrs. Christian Hemmick' S
Play Enhanced with 49,
100000 in Jewels.
DETECTIVES EYE GEMS
Capitals Smart Set Sees Riot of
Color in Persian Setting at
Belasco Theater.

6elaSco lheater.
Visions. echoes, and trailing fra
grances Of the Orient combined to pro-
duce Washington epilogue
to One Thousand and One Nights"
when THE Opium Pipe" an original
Persian play by Mrs. Christian Hem
mick. was presented at the Belasco
Theater last evening.
Around the play. staged by leaders
in Washington's social and artistic
life, was fringed what was probably
the greatest and most gorgeous col
lection of Oriental accessories ever
seen on a stage. In the wings lurked
detectives employed by underwriters
who had insured 100000 worth of
jewels worn by members of the cast
The brilliant modern costumes seen in
the boxes and elsewhere in the crowd
ed house afforded a picturesque con-
trast to the sparkling fourteenth CEN
fury fabrics that fluttered about the
frail and dreamy Oriental beauties on
the stage.
1t was probably the largest and most
fashionable audience that has attended a
theatrical event this season. 1t forgot
the sitting heat. it was generous with
applause. and it readily forgave the few
minor slips that unavoidably crept into
certain details of stage management
The first part of the entertainment,
which was given for the benefit of the
poor of Washington. was superb series
of allegorical war tablcaux entitled The
Awakening" Part two consisted of
spoken songs" by Miss Gwendolen
Logan. formerly with Mrs. Patrick
Campbell. THE Opium Pipe" the major
portion of the program. was arranged in
four acts. all stagedS with infinite care
and skill and revealing in the most min
ute detail a careful and sympathetic
study of the modes and customs of
Persia.
The thread of the plot is slender "A
young and virtuous king of Persia" i'm
personated by Christian Hemmick, wear
ing gorgeous red and yellow robe once
worn by a Persian potentate. Is enticed
into an opium den by his designing
uncle. Old and young rakes sprawl
luXuriously in the soft and scented
splendor Of the room. A dancer and a
snake charm.- entertain them. From
out of the darkness comes a strange
dancer who steps softly to the seduc-
tive music Of the singer Mozzan. The
king. forgetting conspirators who plot
his downfall. reels in hasheesh dreams.
ne iiIl'tSS <-'pld Win ntT al
tendants. She is the kings sweetheart.
She exacts a promise from him that nc
will forego the treacherous pleasures Of
the opium pipe. The king promises, but
forgets.
The Princess Zobia loves the king pas
She would gladly give her
life if by so doing she could save him.
An idea occurs TO her.
If he sees my blood-my red. warm
awakening will come to
the king" she murmurs
Dagger of Tragedy Used.
From fold IN her dress she draws
4 Jeweled dagger-a dagger actually
Used centuries ago by a Persian harem !
.avorite who employed it to end her
sorrows. The Princess Zobia buries the |
sharp point in her bosom.
MY lessage to the King" she cries
is she throws the crimson stained
weapon to the floor and falls dying on
couch that once stood in a Persian !
larem.
AS she had hoped in her dying mo-
nent. awakening comes to the King
when the sinister message is brought |
him.
Mrs. Howell-Smith. as the Princess !
lobia. does extremely effective work |
throughout the play. Mrs. John W. |
Thompson. impersonating Lila. in love
With a blind dancer. presents touch
ng picture of hopeless love. Mrs. Ger
rude Lothrop. as Fatima. the dancer.
Ilso has successfully mastered the in
ricacies of Oriental Characterization.
Most of the stage accessories were
obtained by Mrs. Hemmick from the .
'ersian Legation and from collectors
# relics.
The Opium Pipe" staged under d. [
ection of Edward A. Mitchell and Will
lam {. Marrow, was presented by the .
GLOWING cast:
Alas,am Young and rirtuous King Of Persia.
'hristisn Henmick: Firouz Schar regent of the
insdom with a love ot power Dr. A. F. HOPKINS;
ahsb. grown old in the service Of his PATRONS,
forrcn Thompson; Mshomet. a nightly frcquenter.
Eugene Reed; MIRA Ali old in rice Meredith
Neil; Omar. slave to the pipe Miss Helcn
BAHIA from the hill country. Wilbur
Underwood: Baera. from land of mystery. John
)onahue; Hacoum. from the plains George q.
often; Ali. an Arab. John W. Thompson: Fatima.
dancer. Mrs. Gertrude Lothrop: A Snake Charmer
iortimer CLARK; Slave Robert Oldys; strange
lancer Miss Helen buchanan: Mozzan. a ringer.
ouise IL. thompson: Margana an old ard trusted
ttendant. Mrs. Randolph X. Forrest: Saory keeper
the royal harcm. 4. Robert Elmore: The Sultan
Deacon, powerful ally Of Persia. Stanley Ohm
tcad; The Princes Zobia bethrothed to her
'rsdn. the ring. Mrs. Howell-Smith; Zaidee. Miss
tewart; idea, Miss Anderson: Parizade Miss
andace Howard; Nahrabia. Miss Grant-Stevens:
obeide. Miss Mildred Ives; Gulnare Mrs Matilda
uerbach: lara Miss Elizabeth Harding: Lebania
lis Meta Evans; BadCIra. Mis- Grace Murphy:
lari Miss Judith Ives; Riswauyh. Miss Frances
srIrnter: Zneb. Miss Margaret Britton: Noella
liss Catherine RobInson; Maebe. Mrs. Ward Brown:
ara. Alrs. Edgar l.. Woods; Rubra, young
oman. Mrs. George Barnett: Lila in love with
lind dancer. Mrs John W. Thompson: Fareed the
Ind dancer. Milton r. Bryan
The following appeared in The Awakening:
Woman. Mrs Howell Smith: Woman's Daughter.
ss Burch; Woman's Little Children, Master and
liss Jester; Justice. Miss Catherine Hitchcock;
anne. Miss Csndace Howard: Commerce. Mrs
ebert Baker; Peace. Mrs Robert Elmore: Produce
rs. Henry Kerr; Victory, Miss Davidson; Art,
iss Anne HOPKINS: Music Miss Barrett; Vintage.
iss Helen buchanan: Proclaimer Miss Britton
'omans Son. Mr.. Dunohuc: War. Milton Bryan.
'arrior. DIR. Alfred HOPKINS; Capitalist Mortimer
lark; Finance. Mr.. Howard: Labor Lord Moryin
thompson: Law, Christian Hemmick; Youth Mr.
Neil; Youth, Mr.. OIdys; Youth, Mr.. Donohue.
,sc. by Mrs. McGees Orchestra, Costumes by
cishborhood House.
Miss Logan Pleases.