The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-11-14
K|NKEAD'S PRIZE PLAY
GRIPS AUDIENCE HERE
Jane CoW Stars Brilliantly in
Presentation Of Powerful
Drama.

Cleve Kinkeads Harvard prize play,
Common Clay" with Jane Cowl. pro-
vided absorbing interest for the audi
ence at the New National last night.
1t served to give Miss Cowl abundant
opportunity 10 display the unmistakable
art that has so quickly warranted her
elevation to stardorn, and though treat
ing its theme almost too frankly, the
subject matter Ia subordinateed by the
cleverness OF the star and her as
Kinkead has picked Ellen Neal as
the heroine from that infinite army of
workers occupying the lower strata OF
what Is called society. Her story Is the
story OF their sufferings. their dreams
How she failed and how she suffered
and how out Of her failure and suffer-
ings she was reborn again into a new
world constitute the absorbing elements
OF the play.
Seeks Regeneration.
Seeking regeneration after her down
fall In the social eye. Ellen secures en-
ployment in the Fullerton home. There.
as n servant, she meets Arthur Coax
ley, the social souse." whose adj
vances are spurned in her efforts to 20
straight Her beauty attracts the heir
Of the household, In whose arms the
protesting girl finds herself at the cur
tain.
The second act Ia the office OF the
family attorney. where the boys father,
though confessing his own wild oats"
sowing. seeks TO suppress the impend-
ing disgrace by settling for the child.
Coakley IL used as the necessary wit
ness 10 blacken the. character OF the girl.
who gains the upper hand when she de-
termines to have her day In court"
The big scene OF the play play Is this
Ellen reveals her early life under
the grilling REORGANIZATION OF
Ceakley's attorney. the denouemen.
pathetic when confronted with the
majesty Of the Jaw. reveals the fact
that Ellen is the daughter OF the
prosecuting attorney,
breast OF the one lone skeleton in
his own closet when the attorney
takes the girl to his heart and
atones for his earlier indiscretion.
Ellen famous concert singer. taken
to the home where her disgrace as
a servant was contaminated and where
opportunity IL given young Fullerton
to Iegitimatize their, offspring by
marriage.
Good Presentation.
Miss Cowrs presentation OF the role
OF Ellen Neal. despite the tax of long
speeches and theatric situations. gives
the part every semblance OF truth.
With the faintest suggestion OF an
Irish brogue. her brief period as the
servant fairly sparkled. In the law
yer's office. the little demand on her
| emotions was adequately met, and In
the, cQurt-room scene. which by the
way OF sheer strength far and away
excelled all other scenes OF the play
| Miss Cowl reached the highest hon.
ors OF the evening. II was n sobby
part. not too weepingly done. and
| convincinKly realistic throughout.
| Henry Stephenson, in the role OF
the attorney created by John Mason
presented a bit OF powerful. but quiet
| acting, and Kate Morgan accomplish
ed an unusually fine piece of work al
the aged mother in the courtroom
! scene.
Frank Burbeck. as the hyprocritica
| millionaire. Echlin GayeT. as the bib
| ulous one. Orma Caldera, as the son
| and Harry Hanlon as the "shyster'
lawyer. were excellent In the sup
porting cast.