The labor advocate. [volume] (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1912-1937, 1915-10-30
ADJUSTMENTS
GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

Although Edward Knobauch has talk
en- his place in the front rank of Ameri-
can dramatsts by giving to the contem-
porary stage such notable plays as "Kis-
met, THE Faun." and "Miestones." the
latter in conjunction with Arnold Ben
nett, great gulf is said to roll between
the art exempilied in these earlier
works and the sweet, pure and idyllc
little tale entitled "Marie-Odle in
which David Belasco will present Fran
ces Starr at the Grand Opera House the
coming week. That one and the same
brain could have conceived them all
seems almost unbelievable. But if credit
is due Mr.. Knoblauch for enriching
American dramatic literature by the
writing of this piece, the highest kind of
praise must also be given to Mr.. Belas-
co who, having seen the possibilities OF
"Marie-Odile,' ventured to realize them
In the central character of the little
novice who is brought up in the convent
in absolute innocence of the world, Miss
Starr is credited with having added an
other triumph to her splendid list of
achievements in the theater. Not only
has she justified Mr.. Beasco's faith in
alloting her this difficult role but she has
added to her own fame and strengthen
ed the impression she had already Gre
ated as being one of Americas fore
most actresses. Unlike the highly dra-
matte characterzations she gave in THE
Easiest Way "The Case of Becky" and
THE Secret Miss Starr, in her latest
play appears in a role said to be rich in
poetic and spiritual charm.
The story of Marie Odile' is laid in
A Il, n
young novice who, as baby, was
found on the convent steps. She has
been brought up in strict seclusion, never
having been outside the convent walls.
She has seen no man except old Peter,
the convent gardner, and Father Fisher,
an aged priest. Yet she has dreamed of
men and wonders if there are not some
like the beautiful St Michael, whose
picture hangs on the convent wall.
The Franco Prussian war comes and
the Prussians invade Alsace. They come
to the convent, but the sisters, warned
by Father Fisher escape. MarieOdile,
in fit of rebellion at having been re-
bulied by the Mother Superior, has been
in hiding and consequently is left behind,
she and old Peter being the only ones i'll
the convent when the Prussans arrive.
! nc IlTSl OF lllG SOlulcIS " c1llc1 lllc COLI
vent is Corporal Philip Meissner, When
Marie-Odile first sees him he is stand
ing with drawn sword before the picture
of st. Michael, and, believing him to be
the incarnation of the saint, she falls on
her knees before him.
The place soon resounds with the ri
baldry of the rough soldiers, who quar-
ter themselves in the convent, demand
ing that the little novice give them food
and drink. But the young corporal, be-
ing Of finer stuff than his more brutal
fellows and being moved by her unsus-
pecting confidence and childish inno-
cence. defends her from the rest of the
roiStcring squad. She is attracted by his
kindness. and when he is left alone with
her. under orders to remain after the
rest have departed, there springs Up q
love in the hearts of both. Thus the
pitless little romance of her life begins
Mr. Belasco has never surrounded
Miss Starr more happily than with tht
splendid cast which did such conspicu