The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-29

Margaret Ellington I'm tho IAe."
most important theatrical en-
gagement scheduled for the near fu-
ture Is that OF Miss Ellington. tho
foremost emotional actress on tho
American stage. who is presenting for
tho first time in this city four-act
drama by Henry Arthur Jones, one
Of EnEland's most distinguished play
wrtghts. IT is generally conceded
that THE Lie" as the play 10 called,
liz the best drama so far seen from
the pen of this playwright, and 1t GER
tainly offers Miss Ellington the finest
opportunity for the display of her
art that she has ever had. The drama
moves swiftly and impetuously to its
close from the very beginning, telling
a tensely- dramatic and UNUSUAL story
that holds the interest from curtain
to curtain. At times one Is moved to
laughter. hut there are many, many
moments in the play when one Ia
moved TO tears. Much credit belongs
to the playwright. but much more. II
is said. belongs to Miss Ellington. Her
art has matured. and II lie as much by
her clever facial expression, her dis
eliminating use OF gesture. the fine
tones of her voice, that she gets the
effect as by the dialogue. The story
of The Lie" Is that OF two sisters.
The elder. Elinor. always sort of
guardian and protector of Lucy, the
younger. In order 70 give every pos
sibie chance, Efinor has sent her up
to London to visit O rich aunt, al
though tho invitation had been ex-
tended TO her. She herself seems to
have no chance unless It be in the
%1v Ear n@ wyha ia
doing a big irrigation job in Egypt
Lucy Unexpectedly returns home, only
TO confess to liason with a rich and
titled young man, but that before they
were married, he has died and she
is left in a precarious condition. Eli
nor is Mortified. but at her sisters
opportunities gives up everything and
secs her through" For her kind
ness and self-sacrifics, Lucy repays
Elinor by telling Forster the most
horrible falseheed- one woman can
tell Of another-that Elinor Is the
mother of the child. Forster is hor-
rified and returns to Egypt immedi-
ateiy but the scheming Lucy followa
him there and by the use of her wiles
finally becomes his wife. Elinor Is
heartbroken and is left to care for
her old grandfather. but she has no
resentment towards her sister, and 1t
is not until she discovers from For
sters friend. Noll Dibdin. who has
leased the abbey from them. that her
indignation pours out in torrent.
Mr.. Jones is too able a playwright
to leave the story without bringing
happiness TO his heroine. and In the
end II does come to Elinor from a
quarter quite unexpected.
Mr.. Hector Fuller, the well-known
dramatic reviewer and war CORES.
pendent, closed his review Of Miss
Ellington in The LIE" saying:
The Lie Is a play to remember.
1t offers much for thought; II solves
no problem, does not attempt 10
point lesson; but It provides an
evenings entertainment that Is I'M
usual. and the memory of Miss Hing
toms acting Will linger long"
The production ia an elaborate ana
artistic one, and the company tbs
same az was with her during the
years run at the Harris Theater. New
York city. Miss. Ellington. Of course,
pIa%s Elinor shale; Mercedes Dies.
more r. Lucy shsle: Richard Hatteras
IL General Forster % w Arson, the
grsr dfnther. and z. Aubrey Smith Ia
Noll Dibdin. the family friend Miss
Ellington will present The Lie" al
the Academy Friday matinee and
night.