The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-17
No Playgoer Can Afford to Miss "The Garden of Allah
Spectacular Dramatzaon of Robert Hchens Novel Visual izes in Remarkable Manner the Scenes of the Book Capable Company Makes Offering One of
 Best Ever Seen Here

The Garden of Allah" a spectacular dramatization of Robert Hichen's novel of the same name, at the Jefferson last night, visualizes in a remarkably eolorful and accurate manner the scenes and incl dents of the book. Not only has the in- tensely gripping story been transferred to the stage. but also the glowing descrip- uons of scenery which have charmed so many readers Desert life is portrayed with rare fidelity and the throhbing at mosphere of the Sahara, reproduced with a wealth of detail, makes the play one of unsurpa ssed realism.
 Beginning with "The Spirit of the Des- ert." in itself stage picture of much poetic beauty, there follows series of wonderfully rich and remarkably well staged scenes of desert life, showing the localities mentioned in the novel. At first 1t might appear that the plot is to be overshadowed by mere scenery but the thread of the story is deftly caught up and soon begins to develop with all the passion and intensity of spiritual suffer- ing which characterize the book
 The street scene in Beni- Mora. dance in house on the same street, particu- larly effective glimpse of Oriental life the garden of Count Anteoni, vision of exquisite loveliness which reveals the pos- abilities of modern scenic effects; sand storm in the desert, another bit of stage realism that left nothing to be desired. a night scene on the desert showing the heavens brilliantly studded with stars and several other scenes, eight in all make "rhe Garden of Allah one of the most admirably staged spectacles ever presented in a Birmingham theatre.
 However, such a generous scenic in- yestiture was not permitted to eclipse the histrionic part of the play. A very good company interpreted the various roles, while numbers of genuine Arabs. camels and other creatures of the desert lent verismilitude. Miss Edyth Latimer played Domini quite acceptably, but her performance was overshadowed by the tremendously dramatic interpretation of Boris Androvshy, as done by Lawson Butt The part calls for exceptional powers of emotional acting, which MT. Butt displayed. He achieved his climaxes without in the least weakening their ap- peal to the sympathies. He was especially strong when his identity is discovered and he makes his confession to Domini
 Howard Gould as Count Anteoni was eminently pleasing and virile, with an excellent delivery, while Albert Andruss as Father Roubier, was a close second to him in ability. William Jeffrey made the most of his opportunities as Captain De Trevignac and Leo de Valery as Batouch gave fine portrayal of this essentially Oriental character. One or two Arabs had small speaking parts and the natives were prominent in the scenes where the best pictorial effects were achieved, excepting cnly the counts garden, which did not call for any human presence to make it bewitching.
 ''The Garden of Allah will be presented at the Jefferson tonight, tomorrow after room and tomorrow night The sale of seats indicates capacity houses. It is de