The Detroit times., 1915-02-02
DETROIT OPERA HOUSE.

For the second time In a fortnight,
admirers Of expert craftsmanship IN
the theatsr, as exsmplified In play
wright and player. have an emporium
lily to enjoy impeccable acting In q re-
vival OF one OF yictorien Sardous
best plays. Diplomacy" presented
Monday evening, In the Detroit opera
house, and In which the principal
roles are In the hands Oh
three well-knoWn stars-William 6li-
lette, Blanche Bates and Marie Doro.
AS In Rosemary" last week. which
John Drew and his accomplished as
sociates made thing OF beauty ana
vitality, In the face OF the modern
theatergoer's zest for realism and pa
tronizing disdain OF the sentimentality
and nobility OF action which charac-
terized the plays that pleased the
audiences OF half century ago, the
success Of the revival Of Diplomacy,
Ii due In large measure to the excel
lence Of its presentation.
Any medium that brings back VIII
liam Gillette to the footlights should
be welcomed by those who have any
real interest In the drama. Actors OF
his caliber are too few on the Amer
lean stage. Five minutes with MT.
Gillette Is an illuminative lesson In
the art of acting. As Henry Beau.
cIerc In Diplomacy" he Is at his
best, and his work, Monday evening.
was striking example of real art In
the theater. Every movement, every
pose, every syllable uttered, had full
bearing and meaning upon the unfold
Ing OF the story OF the play. and be-
cause OF Mr.. Gillette's well-known re
poseful method, the most theatric and
artificial tricks of the dramatist were
made to seem the real and the
natural.
Miss Bates. looking particularly
well and attractive as the Russian
agent. the Countess Zicka. appeared
to revel in role OF the sort that
made her earlier days on the stage
stepping stones to stardom. She
made the countess fascinating per-
sonality, and her scenes with Mr..
Gillette. o, the secretary of III. orit-
fsh embassy, In Paris, were 3 Joy to
the onlooker.
Miss Doro, who has been a stranger
to the local stage since she acted In
The Morals Of Marcus" is a very
pretty young woman with talent
that Is undeniable. Her natural
beauty Of face and feature was married
Monday evening, by a most unbecom-
ing couture. Her acting Of Dora. the
mouse In the paws Of the diplomatic
lion. was charmingly girlish and un-
9hected, and In the scenes where emo
tional power was needed, she more
than met the requirements. She car
ried on all honors In the climax to
the third act by her admira lie hand.
ling Of dificult scene.
experimenting the artistry of the
three stars. was acting of the high.
est order by such accomplished play
ers az Elliott Dexter as Julian Beau
clerc; 0iorgio Majeroni, as Count Or
lon; Gustave Won Seyyfertitx. as Bar
On Stein: Norman Tharp, as Al
gle Fairfax: Malise Sheridan, as
Mion, and George Earned, Robert Nc
Cleary, John Carmichael and Ellis
In servants roles. The work
of any one Of these players alone
would have made the play an artistic
treat.
In arranging Diplomacy" for the
present revival. some license has been
aiken with the text and much of the
has been given a present
twist In such details as "the
motor Is ready, madame" instead OF
the carriage awaits, m1ady," and
here are many references to Incl.
Tents and institutions OF modern life
which were unknown in the days OF
rs, when Diplomacy was written.
However, there Is careful and skilful
handling Of these things and com
'lete avoidance of incogruity.
That plays OF the type OF "Dilpo-
ycy" have direct appeal to the In
crest and sympathy OF a modern
udience was proven In the close at
ention accorded every momant OF the
lay. Monday evening. There was a
laugh, however, when a deep
Y interested woman, . member OF a |
ashionable theater party In the front |
ows OF the orchestra, audibIy resent |
d a certain BIT OF stage business |
'hich at a tense moment OF the &C. |
Ion seemed about TO fasten still |
lrther circumstantial evidence OF tho l
heft of the papers, upon the innocent, /
arrassed Dora. The lady's involun. L
ary exclamation was 30 palpably the
esult Of her genuine interest in the
ction OF the drama and her sympathy
18th the characters. that even a sus-
icfon OF a smile came 10 Mr.. Gil
,tte's lips
The play II beautifully dressed and
together worth while for the play.
r. II assemblies, the art Il reveals. |,
nd the opportunity II offers for thor.
ugh enjoyment OF the better things
thin the four walls OF the theater.
ELLA NAE HAWTHORNE.