Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-10-23
ADJUSTMENTS
ARTISTIC PERFORMANCE
OF "OlTINSI,'' EOR ADULTS

As IT'S title would suggest to those
familiar with its euphemistic usage,
"Outcast is play basel on the
eternal feminine and the :,eeold prob
lem Of her. Thcresore ii Is To he
understood, al the very outset, that
il is not a PLAY for the :ngemue, uu-
less her parents or guardians hold to
tho doctrine OF carly instruction and
all that II connoies. ON the contrary,
!; is the very .rankest play that has
been presented in Richmond in years
'TO-Day' Is excepted. because that was
INTERNATIONALLY paraded az a mora! les
son" and Damaged Goods j. eAclud-
ed, because thar was merely a clinical
dissertation, ana not play.
"Outcast,' however. bases its appeal
upon no igh-soundiug, sleeve chuck
ling prctense. Its producers lay no
clam 10 being upliftcrs, nor do they
roll their eyes heavcnward and pro-
claim their altruistic motives. pc!suad-
Ing the innocent and inexperienced re-
formers OF both sexes OF their h h
and generous purpose 10 preach a
powerful sermon" to The poor. dear.
ignorant public They present 1t
SIMPLY as play. drama. ana that
il ls-!n the tvucst sense of the word.
the life that glitters on top, but is
all wrong at It's foundation. transcribed
d slice Of IT and turned Il into an .1b-
sorbing and pulsius drama OF to-day.
There are moments OF comedy, a high
light here and there. but Tor The most
part IL moves stcrnly and mcNorably
To its climax, voiced in one OF the
speeches: We have got 10 assume the
responsibilities that our actions bring"
In this case, the Man. worn and
miserable, druGged and drunken. takes
the Outcast from the street to bring
q bit of cheer into his life. He
teaches her. softcns her. develops her.
Then she loves him. and the question
is: what is he TO do with her life?
/, is answered, and answered as it
should be But. as would he the case
nine times in ten. there is 4 iroublous
period between the asking and the am
swering of the question.
MIR. Davies provided a notable piece
of work, remarkably line fabric. but
the producers have supplied a east OF
men and women who breathe into it
that which makes it indeed Il slice
- life. living thing. With single
exception, the company presenting
I! "Outcast' is that rare and grateful
composition-an organization OF all
actors The two principal parts, both
OF which are difficult, tricky and try
Ing, renting efnSelEeS with danger
Gus readiness /" oVcrpiaying, are
handled without Il fault
The Outcast Of Jeanne Eagcls is
very real art. Many emotions must
bc portrayed. ranging from n gamim-
like suspicion and drab vulgarity 10
aching pathos and utter despair, and
Miss Eagels indicates all of them with
a sure and delicate conception and exc
cution. Her gradual change from the
twang of her first entrance to the
. English of her associates is hut one
instance OF the technic with which she
is lifted.
The Man of Harold West is another
htforward. unstaGy and clean
cut example of the work to which we
have become accustomed from the bet
ter English actors, who do not depend
upon clothes and affectations TO con-
vey the thought of well-bred men. vi
the rest of the company, being also
English, is altogether competent, eX-
cept the woman cast for the Lady, who
doesn't iii into the picture at any time
/ or under any circumstances
'Outcast" will he presented again
twice to-day: To grown-ups, or to the
wholly emancipated 1appers who
understand all things. il Is heartily
recommended as Il fine play artistically
presented.
Douglas Gordon.