The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-11
A GREAT ACTOR IN
A SPLENDID PLAY

There is absolutely no shadow of
doubt about the position occupied by
George Arliss as character actor
among players of modern times. He ts
without peer. OF this fact pain
fully small number OF our theatergoers
were made thoroughly aware by his
raasterful representation OF ptsraen
here last season. The splendid impress
sion made on this occasion tmpelled
these not only to return, but to dis
seminate widely the knowledge that
should have already been possessed by
those who keep posted on the theater-
so that last night the English actor
vas greeted by large and represen-
tative audience. who received him most
graeiously
Mr.. Arliss is an actor whom, having
once seen In IA character role. you can
not possibly forget. nor can you fail TO
be imbued with the purpose of seeing
him nj every subsequent opportunity
one of the most striking and vivid
performances in our memory. IL n per-
soual aliusion will be pardoned, WAS
hts Baron Stein, which we saw some
years ago in Mrs, Fishes production CT
becky sharp" at the old Manhattan
Theaser In New York city. And even
f.iore striking. more finished, more
wonderful is hts rnasterfnl conception
OF NtCufU ia<AHttits tstsAA tN -
last night Mr., Arliss I'm "Paganini II
not Mr.. Arltsa at all. He Is Paganini'
the eccentric, world-famed maestro. the
twu1peramentai, whimsical. emotional
Italian violinist. at whose feet the whole
musical world knelt. The conception
of the virtuoso IL. OF course. the ac-
tors own. and is based upon tradition
and what extant descriptions We pave
az the peculiaritles of manner ana
habit that ne exhibited.
The plot OF the play is based upon
Incidents from the musicians life. and
tells how he visited at the home of
London friend. While there his won
-Aersui music stirs to the utmost depths
the soul of HIS hosts beautiful daugh-
ter and awakens in her an irreprsssi-
BILE love for the maestro. When ne
departs she dsfies her father, renouncss
her betrothed army officer and follows
Paganini 10 a hotel at Dover. Meah-
lille the violinist Is pursued by wo-
man from his native land, by whom
he has a son, and he LIS constantly be-
So, and tormented by her threats OF
btackmail that are silenced only BY
pecuniary rewards. Against his en-.
treaties. the English girl finally pre-
walls upon him to defy convent'oneii-
ties and let her travel with him on ms
triumphant tour. she meanwhile to per-
feet herself in vocal art. That oven
ing in an inn at Calais they are over
takrp by her father and fiance. and
the latter charges Paganfnt WIN the
accusation that in his life his violin
and not the girl comes first. and proves
n when he threatens to destroy the
beloved instrument. Whereupon the
artist induces the girl to follow the
right path, and the story has its only
i. gitfn,ate conclusion. but one that can
rot but extract from many sign OF
regret.
Throughout this simple story the
acting OF Mr.. Arliss completely domi-
mates every scene In which he appears.
He Is all artist to his very finger tips
The wonderful intonations of his mu-
steal voice, the graceful gestures VITA
which he accompanies the reading OF
every tine, the whimsical hnmnr with
which he shades the character role.
lighting its dominant tragic atmo-
sphere. the infinite pathos he depicts
all combine TO make the characterize
ton live forever In the memory. Never
has an actor within our recollection
more completely submerged his own
personality.
And another very obvious evidence
well liz In the talented cast with which
he has surrounded himself. Miss Mar
gerry Maude. the pretty and talented
daughter Of Cyril MaudA, gives a de-
lightful. finished and sympathetic In
depreciation Of the leading feminine
role. Florence Aver. ~ the Italian
girl who continually harnesses the vio-
iinist, 10 an incomparably clever char
acter actress. Charles HArbury and
Edrar Kent are superb a. the father
and uncle OF the girl Mrs. Arliss has
I prominent part. to which sha does
full Justice. and the rest Of the char
ectsrh are played by actors who arc
n above the average.
But, splendid a. their work IL It h
thc genius of Mr.. Arliss that pervadss
the whole play. and though armed with
{ Tar less effective weapon than the
haplass musician he tmpersonates. he
exercises much the same charm over
his enthralIed auditors. He will APP
near this afternoon and tonight. Not
"a sec him would be one Of ths great
eat mfsfortunes that could befaii those
10 whom the highest art Of the theatsr
makes Appeai. g =.
e11akespcarcan Players.