The Washington times., 1915-04-20
NATIONAL.

The caprice of fashion may change
the cut Of the costume. the turn of
phraseology, but that 1t cannot af-
feet a dramatic idea skillfully built
into a play is proven by the fact that
| Victorien Sardous Diplomacy" in
which Charles Frohman presents
william Gillette. Blanche Bates, and
] Marie Doro, gave forth the same
| brilliance under the electric lights OF
the National Theater last night 1t re-
fected under the gaslight of the
'7Os. when it was first produced.
| 1t Is a real test of dramatic and
literary value when the heroines Of
grandmother and grandfather can ap-
pear as much at ease and make the
same appeal in the suggestive, re-
vealing garments of today as they
did in the hoopskirt, polonaise,
basque. hustle. or tube skirt OF the
successive generations of fashion
through which they were compelled
while the habit of mind changes as
surely even IL not as often as the
habit of the body. the kernel OF
thought about which the mind re-
does the body upon which the kaleid-
oscope of fashion centeTs.
Whatever Mr.. Gillette may have
given to the Diplomacy" which is
evidence Of Gillette in the dialogue
as in the acting-it was merely in the
dialogue and not In the thought that
inspired the artist in the expression oi
his art.
diplomacy" is pure drama. and
though it would grip the imagina,
tion whenever 1t might be acted and
however 1t might be presented. yet
the rather unusual circumstance oi
Mr.. Frohmans tristan production
ni "
fidence that the entertainment will
be OF the highest quality.
; The story Of Diplomacy" brings In
most of the accepted types Of the con
tiful girl. has lived in company of q
rather questionable set engaged in the
dangerous bus of peddling inter
national secrets. An attache OF the
msrries her. Through jealousy a wom
an spy. an adventures OF the greatest
skill and the least OF scruples. involve,
| the girl In very serious scrape
brought about first by the imprison
, ment OF a young Russian noblemar
and then through the disappearance o
valuable state papers. The chief secre
tary Of the British emoassy In Par1s
brother of the attache of the heart in
terest, straig htenes out the difficulty
The guilty are punished and lne limo
cent so proclaimed.
| AS henry BeaucierC, the wise and re
sCurcetul British diplomat. who over
. comes the WHY adventures, William
Gillette has a part that is completely
Gillette model-even il II does have al
t imported Saruou motor. are best sor
y of opportunity Is given the playwright
actor TO demonstrate his own remark
e able stage methods. AT ali times mas
!, ter OF the situation. MI. Gillette wa
also at ali tunes the center of interest
Blanche Bates gives one of the mos
Polished performances of her career
'. the part of the adventures, Counties
| Licka. She seemed to be the mos
y complete realization of what tn
!, authors own conception of the pal
, self sufficient. yet never obtrusivt
t never catlike in the accepted adventur
! ess form, Miss Bates compelled atten
tion whenever she came on the stage
t he only regret Of the audience las
night seemed TO be that she was not 0
the stage enough.
r Marie Doro gives a new idea OF he
copacity as an actress in her creatio
e OF the part of Dora-the ingenue hero
Il inc. Miss Doro exhibits an emotioni
quality that is quite apart from tn
usual stock of talent possessed by a.
tresses OF her particular Character {
parts She seems to as completel
O realize the part OF Dora as her &C
. stars do their difficult roles and theret
by completes as brilliant d trio of drt
" matte interpretations as has been see
= IN Washington this season
+. The company which supports the thrt
4 stars Is thoroughly in keeping with II
Importance of the stars. IL include
e Elliot Dexter. Giorsio Majeroni, Gusta
g Won SeyffertitZ. Jenrevs Lewis. Berth
- For6yce. Malise Sheridan. Norma
If Tharp. George Earned. and Ell
., SmedIey. ,.,