Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-29
New National,

George Arlss. the eminent English
actor, appeared in his new play, pa
ganini," by Edward Knoblauch, at the
New National Theater last night be-
fore a large audience that many times
recalled him and his company to bow
acknowledgment of applause that
seemed to be rather tribute to the
actor than to his play or to the new
Historical character presented. Mr..
knoblauch has woven the spirit of ro-
nance around two incidents that are
supposed to have occurred in the life
time of the eccentric, if superb. vio-
linist. with purpose. evidently, of
giving a dramatic idea of what the
man was like. How well he has
ceeded must be left to the ina gination
of those familiar with the intimate
history of one who today is scarcely
remembered save for his music.
Tradition tells that Paganini, like
some of the noted musicians still liv-
ing. was desperately adored by tenn
peramental women. and that his mas
terry of the violin was such as even to
suggest league with the devil to ac-
count for his wonderful accomplish
ments Mr.. knoblauch has employed
these matters only as Incidental allu-
sions in the dialogue of his play.
The Paganini disclosed by Mr.. Arllss
last evening was not such as to justify
the belief in either of these traditions.
L, characterization of humor-
ously intense egotlsm and llllmitable
e ys5 at Of t'mf5
though that role was one of states
manlike dignity. But all that Dis
raeli,' as characterized by Mr.. Arllss,
was. PA ganinT' was not.
The action of the play akes place
between the morning and evening of
day in 1880, at the home of Thomas
Watson, whose young daughter Char
lotte ina giues herself wildly infatuat-
ed with Paganini, who. though repuls-
ing her affectionate advance, is never
theless attracted by her youth, her
beauty and above all her adulation of
himself because of the witchery of his
music.
Lady Strangford, mother of Capt. Jo-
seph, a young officer to whom Char
lotte is betrothed, discovers the state
of the girls feelings, tells her father
and after stormy interview just pre-
vious to- Paganini's departure for
Paris. Charlotte secretly leaves her
home and follows Paganini to Dover
and then crosses with him to Calais.
At Calais her father and Capt. Joseph
come upon them at an inn, where
Charlotte has sat almost frozen and
starved on the floor all night while the
o. It OF ner alteration is seeking
vainly to catch the inspiration to COM
plete q concerto which he is to dedi-
cate to her. The climax is reached
when young Capt. Joseph, snatching up
the virtuoso's beloved violin. demands
that he say which it is he loves, the
girl or the violin, and threatens to
sHaa sh the violin, that Paganini's choice
undeceives the girl, and she reluc-
family goes back to her betrothed while
Paganini passes out into the night"
, The play is attractive for some well
portrayed English characters that sug-
gest the Dickens type, for fiery 1tal-
ian woman whom Paganini has loved
and cast off and for some exquisite
stage setting. The role of Charlotte
is splendidly realized in Miss Margery
Maude, and that of the fiery Italian
woman is mechanically portrayed
by Miss Florence Auer. One of the
most charming features of the per-
Torrance is Mrs. Arliss as Lady Strang
ford and one of the most humorous
.thesresentment of Fred Nichols. as
Henry Shakespeare, waiter, who was
called "out OF his name" Others of
the well balanced cast were Dudley
Digges, as Paganini's secretary; Charles
Harbury as Thomas Watson: Edgar
Kent as Sir Richard Strangford, Dion
Titheradse as his son. Capt. Joseph. and |
Noel Tearle. Rosina Henry and Leila
Repton in minor parts