The Washington times., 1916-04-18
Players Have Only Offering Of
Spoken Drama in Washing
ton This Week.
is ARTISTIcALLY PRESENTED
Miss Gilbert Successful in Most
Difficult Role-ls Frank
Exposure. 90, a

Love. official intrigue and the per
secutions practiced by the Russian DO
lien compose the interesting component
parts of "Tio Yellow Ticket which
the Poll Playerr 50 successiullV pre-
sented last night as this weeks only
Offering OF the spoken drama In wash
inEton. -.
The frank eSpCture OF the methods
by which women who rold the yell
low ticket" which'is badge OF shnn,e'
arc bounded by the Russian police. cnls
for careful presentation in order to
avoid offcnsiveness. The dangers or
| ensationnlisn are ever present. but
the Poll company successfully avoids
them and ut the same time loses none
| of the effectiveness written int" the
play by Michael Morton. the author.
I.nvishly mounted with three scenes
that are perhaps the most expressive
artistry ever presented by Director An
| drews s,d his PssoOiaies. Tho Yellow
| Ticket" throughout gave evidences OF
thoroughness that few stock attractions
can boast Of
Tho story is that OF Marye Varenka's 3
efforts to avoid the stirnG that at
inches TO those OF Hebrew blood who
venture outsid the pale OF the fottie-
mcnt. How she Is denounced on the eve
Of acquiring honorable employment:
then subjected to the irdignitics Of a
Russian nobieman. and finally 10 be
rescued by an American newspaper man,
furnish the thrills OF the evening.
| Miss Gilbert as Marya Varanka. the
posscsser Ct tho ''SellOw ticket',!s called
upon to use restraint. She does so with
out sacrfclng tho intensity OF her lines.
l ~ - ls N.Rtt tas
TO demand the closest attention and
this Mi.S Gilbert realizes admirably.
| AT the outset where Marye Varenka ID
forced to expose her Identity to the Eng.
lish family in which she Is engaged as
tutor. Miss Gilbert gives an excellent
portrayal OF suppressed emotion. Later
] in the big scene with Ben Taggart. the
Baroi Audrey, who attempts to force
his attentions upon her. Miss Gilbert'
Varenka was most forceful without be
Ing melo-dramatic. Mr.. Taggarts VII
ltainy was coated with a suavity thai
made |; all the more treacherops.
| The play Is saved from being depres
sive by the character of Julian Rolfe
an American newspaper correspondent
Mr. Van Buren, most impressive1y as
sumes the nonchalance OF the story bool
newspaper man under fire, and while hi'
defiance Of the Russian police might b'
Just a little too PRONOUNCED In III
lhaughtiEess and independence. it com
lbIetely serves the purpose, which Is e
make the hero save the heroine in th'
final act. -
Howard Lang. although cast IN only
one act gave, as usual. n characterize
ton highly colored with excellence a!
the domineering head OF the Russian
secre: police. and Ralph Locke. new
lcome- to the Poll ranks, distinguished
himself In similar role. Mr.. Andrew
as John Seaton. the English traveller
Eugene Desmond. as Russian count
and Cecil Bowser. as an agent OF tn
secret police. formed excellent supper
Tor the leads. Miss Mary Alden, also
new member OF the cast was admirably
cast as Margery Senton. as the onl.
other female part In the play. Her un
atfacted Eayety contrasted forclbly witt
the sad condition OF tho persecute
MaryC Narenka.