The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-16
"The Truth . a Clyde
Fitch Masterpiece
Presented

The long list of. one might say,
memorable productions that the en-
ergetic Mr.. Berthelet has given our
theatergoers was most noticeably aug
mented Monday night In well nign
fawless production of the pathetic
Clara Bloodgoods great success,
.sThe Truth" The lamented Clyde
Fitch was unapproachable among
American playwrights in the art OF
construction. His characters were
real and very probably members Of
the various strata of our cosmopolitan
society. His dialogue is pungent, scin-
tillating and pluaible. And the
problems with which he deals are al
ways of vital interest, presented In an
absorbing and coherent plot. And
The Truth belongs among the
greatest of his plays. 1t has TO do
with the unspeakable havoc wrought
by the inherited weakness OF a young
married woman for telling f'whfte
lies" innocent, well-intended perver-
sions of the facts. This all too tang
led web becomes impossible to un-
ravei. and her trusting husband, once
deceived, gradually loses hi4 conf
dence in her, as she becomes pitt
full victim of circumstantial evidence
and in a frenzy of jealousy abandons
her to the pangs of remorseful con-
science. The outcome. however. is
pleasantly reached without taxing
your credulity, and the curtain falls
upon a delightful reconciliation.
Miss Taylor's work in the s.npor-
tant role OF the loving wife with
fatal weakness IL beyond all doubt
the best thing she has done here. She
plays with unerring accuracy. and de-
picts impressiyely the coquettish and
p!ttable girl with an uncomfortable
propensity for Misrepresentation Of
petty facts, that ultimately wreaks
domestic ruin. Mr.. Arnold is the hus-
band. in turn implicitly trustful, in
sanely jealous and relentlessiy cruel
In the scene at the close OF the sec
ond act ne rose to the occasion with
superb dramatic power that In our
experience compares most favoraoiy
with the memorable scene enacted
by Charles Richman in Bought and
Paid For in its fire and force. where
he vents his drunken rage upon his
hapless wife. His performance could
not be improved upon. Mr.. Bassett,
as the divorced husband. whose per-
sistent attentions to Mrs. Warder
miss Taylor) cause all the trouble,
gave an excellent account of himself,
as usual, and was no small factor in
the success of the piece. Mr.. Rid
dell had a most delightful comedy
character part. the father. He was
highly successful and we do not re-
member having seen any actor more
completely sink hts own personality
than did this sterling performer. Miss
Fitzroy was admirable In the role OPP
posite his, of Mrs Crespigny. with a
cockney accent and marital ambitions.
Miss Ferry, as divorced wife, ana
Mr.. Curtis In the bit OF butler. were
eminentiy satisfying.
Next week. delightful to relate, we
are to have Mr.. Arnold's conception OF
the lovahie Raffles. society burglar.
a character that will invite COMPARE
son with no less celebrated person
age than Kyrle Bellew. But mean
while. by all means. see The Truth"
IL you are interested in the follies and
weaknesses OF your fellow beings. It
is well worth while and deserving OF
liberal patronage. c. p.