The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-08
THE ETERNAL MAGDALESE'
WELL ACTED By SUPERB 90

An audience OF moderate proper
tons sat enthralled with interest last
night at tile Academy OF Music
through the performance OF one OF
the most sensational. widely discuss
ed and best advertised plays of the
season, The Eternal Magdalene."
This play from the pen OF Robert
Mclaughlin, mas been gwen quite an
extensive hearing throughout the
country in the larger cities and in
New York its original production
served to rcintroduce to the stage
Julia Arthur. who emerged after a
long retirement in response TO the ir-
resistlble lure of the feotlights. II be-
longs TO the class of so-called moral
upiift" plays, although the appriate-
ness Of the appellation Is far from APP
parent However~--as such 1t Is re-
garded and AS such it Will be listened
to by hundreds OF thertergoers with
eyes and ears wide open for every
word of its frank and pungent
dialogue.
The alluring publicity agents OF
many recent comedies are fond OF the
phrase, "A laugh for every line" II
you substitute punch" for laugh"
you would have capital and apt
slogan for this play There is no
mIncing of words whatever. \ spade
is invariably called such, and reason
ably so. The subject matter does not
admit of Circumlocution. Elijah Brad
shaw man of wealth, q pillar or
the church, and his pastors right
hand man, and social reformer. is,
when the play opens, leading factor
in a movement to close the houses OF
the segregated district. The move
ment reaches fruition in the first act.
~. 81 \, all lf sfa
pointed time.
From the district comes the wo-
man" TO the home of Bradshaw, and
from this point the play deals In IA
very frank manner with the recotl OF
the reform movements other phase
against its most ardent instigator.
Upon his luckless head the merciless
blows forcing payment for the sins OF
his youth, fall with relentless fury.
and events hasten with dramatic in
tensity to a surprising and startling
conclusion, whose nature we withhold
for fear of spelling the pleasure OF
those who purpose attending
The play can hardly be called a SER
mon, although it purports to be one
from the text: Let him that is with
out sin first east a stone at her" II
Ia rather q very tense and gripping
method of presenting the arguments
or those who oppose the elimination
/ of the social evil by determination OF
its so-called legaliZation. 1t is well
written throughout and very. very
meaty. and distinctly play for
rrown-up people and mature grown
tups at that. The performance given
.hy the presenting company last night
was sxperb. Not discordant note
was struck and the cast was selected
u,,fh q discriminating care.
Miss Clara Joel, who plays the. lead
ing feminine role, possesses the very
fnfreouent combination of rare beauty
and exceptional talent, and gave a
portrayal OF the character that was
conscientious. dignified, impressive
and very effective. Wilson Reynolds,
as Elijah Bradshaw, was superb and
at all times convincing in a role that
demands real ability for its proper
presentation, George Wright, as re-
porter, is about as breezy and pleasing
a Juvenile as we remember to have
seen, and Tom Evans performance OK
the son is clean-cut and satisfying. In
fact. there is no flaw visible In the act
ing. and the mounting and lighting
effects heighten the interest intensely.
There will be matinee and night per-
lformances and those who care FOR q
gripping powerful play on sub
/ iect unpleasant. but Of anniversary In
lterest, would not " amiss BY attend
MI M s s q n