The Washington times., 1916-01-25
BELASCO.
I'D Gteatest Nation" by WE

L L
liam Elliott and Marian
Creighton, had its premiere
performance at the Belasco
Iheater last night.
rev greater subjects than that of
the pathway to peace could be chosen
at the present time. From a dramatic
standpoint this production serves to
convince through its humanness Of
appeal rather than through its pal
pable possibilities as propaganda,
much of the credit going to William
Elliott in the leading role.
-Four sets by Joseph Urban gave a
scenic background OF extreme ap-
propriateness. His treatment of the
primary colors as central themes upon
which to develop the minor details of
complimentary color, is remarkably
effective.
a short prologue, which presents just
enough Of the theme of the piece to set
the audience on the right scent, opens
! the story at the time Of the death of
Elaine, Queen of Thor, and mother OF
Alan, Crown Prince of Thor.
With her last breath, she dedicated
her son, not to life Of war, but to
peace, and intrusts him to the care OF
two faithful scholars. Some where. she
herself cannot account for 1t. the price
less gift OF the hatred for war was
given her, and she longs to have her
little son become man who loves
peace and prosperity.
In order that he may be trained in
practical way Of living, she leaves &c
| him the little kingdom Of Donau. q
mere patch OF country lying between
his fathers kingdom and that Of theil
| neighbor king. Radow OF Adlon.
| Act one takes place twenty years ar
ter, at the time when the life and worl
OF Prince Alan have matured in I
wonderful project. a canal which is tt
! bring prosperity to his people.
! The day for the loosing OF the wateI
| IN the locks. and the men Of thre
| kingdoms, who have worked side b!
/ the meaning OF the words work an,
democracy, as taught them by their be
| loved friend and prince. Alan.
The daughter OF Radow. III" Princes
| hdrls. in love with Alan. Is visiting n
MS home, and planning for the celebra
ton on the next day. when the com
| mand comes for her to return home a
! once.
Mystihed and worried. -Aan tries tt
get in communication with her father
put does not succeed. He is soon in
| formed. however. that his own fathe
mas declared war on Radow and tha
his canal cannot be opened. l. SEEM
that in irrigating the land OF his littl
hIH6uOll lie "OuI0 necessarily give SIea
aid to the kingdom OF Adlon. Eut be-
fore he can march at the head u hi
people, King Thor Is assassinatcd
Adlon. anxious for an excuse to Il.
10 obtain a seaport through the cor
try OF his neighbors. intcrprcts the con
struCtiOn of the canal wrongly. an,
plans to dynamite the locks But o,
the day that King Radow expects de
struction. great armfuls OF rcd rose
are borne down the stream. the mcssag
OF A.an to Ndris. The King. however
interprets the roses as a declaration O
war. and orders that his armies marc
against the armies of former prince
now King, Alan OF Thor. whose poop
arc wild with the outrage OF the assas
! Snation.
| But the fighting docs not matcrialiZC
Tho men refuse to march against ON
another Alan appears sparsrly attend
cd In the home OF his enemy. and de
mands a settlement. not with millions q
people at war, but by either disCusso
or personal combat of the parties mos
interested. An old idea. perhaps. bu
one which seems TO have a nov an
wonderful significance today. A charm
ing love story runs throughout. Wit
olive Wyndham in the role of Princes
Adrs. She Is as unaffected as is II
Elliott Minor characters are we'll pot
trayed. +. +. NDDER.