Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-20

in ION Trial" shared interest
" with musical comedy of the
approved modern type in 'Prin-
cess Pat" Nothing but the thrill is old
fashioned in 'On Trial The rest OF
the work is on the lines of latest de-
yelopment. both in plot structure ana
mechanical artifice. The idea OF virtue
triumphant and vice punished. formerly
regarded as essential to so-called melo-
drama. is but family preserved. The
story is one of harsh intensity, present
ing once more the story of the girl VINO
lis lured to a hotel on the pretense that
a clergyman will be there TO perform
marriage ceremony. This brutality OF
the villain is so merciless that his dls-
missal by death at the hands OF an en-
ragged husband seems rather charitable.
The reconciliation of the husband and
wife as they piece together their shat
tered self-respect is pitiful reward
for the hideous ordeals through which
they have passed. The story is situa-
ton for situations sake. The entangle-
nent of incident is a work of imag1n-
alive ingenuity. SO complex that there
is no hope of conclusion which per-
tuits them to live happily ever after as
did the earlier melodrama. A hero OF
the present time is lucky enough to
get away with his life. and he must
show not only physical prowess but
moral courage and an exalted sense OF
Justice in his attitude toward an I'M
fortunate past.
ION Trial. does not base it's claims on
any idealism. 1t is realistic to the last
degree Interesting in its narrative, 1t
is also interesting in its method OF
presentation. 1t affords an example OF
ability to dismiss cumbersome and OBJ
setructive dramatic precedent and de-
wise a form which is both novel and
consistent The shifts from the court
room in which testimony is given to
the scenes in which the testimony is
enacted obviously require an immense
amount of handling, and where the
elaborate special devices cannot be
transported, are likely to give the stage
hands an allotment of time that seems
-anduly extended. 1t might be urged.
however that the rest between thrills
is beneficial to the nerves of the agi-
tated auditor.
-
That complete happiness and reunion
are not essential to the success of
play was shown by Marie Odile,"
which returns to the scene of it's first
presentation next week. This play has
teen the subject of much controversy.
Thoughtful opinions have differed as
to its moral effect, but there is no de-
NAL of its beauty as picture and its
interest as subtle study Of human
heart and mind
: The library and the stage have not
been close terms recently. They
have come to a happy understanding
in Treasure Island" Stevenson's story
30 priced by youth that longs for the
Impressions of maturity and by matur-
ny that longs for the Imaginative
glamour of youth. The story worked
into dramatic form mas renewed it's in
terest and the whimsical exaggeration
of its adventurous spirit holds a deli
cate charm that survives even the
ruthless burlesquing Long John Silver
and his pirate friends have had in the
colored comic supplement.
=.
:. Certain literary standards are sug-
gested by the name of Margaret Anglin
who brings "Beverly's Balance" to the
herself with Shakespearean productions
in manner which claims for her the
admiration of those who cherish stage
traditions. as well as of those who ap-
preciate plot and acting only as mat
ters of current interest. And speaking
OF traditions. in walks Lillian Russell
but Lillian Russell is not a tradition:
she is radiant permanency.
All the help that catchy title can
give is surely available for In Walked
Jimmy" the new comedy to be exploit
ed by Manager Betger's players at
Polls. The versatility of stock COM
pany faces many tests. The PLAYERS
step from Shakespeare into farce and
even make excursions into the realms
OF musical comedy. AS a rule. the de-
mands for creative Interpretation are
but slight. the characters of the sea-
soned dramas revived from week to
week having been thoroughly studied
and established as to be readily
grasped by competent and expert
enced group OF Layers. even though
the time for rehearsal may be short.
1he ron players are not to be content
with rescuing from oblivion plays
which, having had their seasons of orig
inal success. are still worthy to sur
.ive. but will make a first production
or new play tomorrow. The man
ayers who are scanning the horizon
for new stars in dramatic authorship
think they have found one in Mrs.
Ja1a. California woman. whose previ-
Gus work, "Playthings." drew Mr..
Polls attention to her. This is the first
try-out at this theater since The Gov.
ernor's Boss" which admittedly had
the benefit of some remarkably good
acting. PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Margaret AnKlIn-The burning NJ