The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-29
MOST ASTOUNDING THRILLER
PLAY OF THE SEASON

When the author Of ION Trial"
conceived the idea OF this cry re-
markable play It YVES evidently his
purpose to evolve a melodrama that
would be startlingly original and
quite different from anything of this
class of play ever produced. That
I he succeedeG In this purpose was qutto
evident to all who sat tense with IN
terest, often excitement, through the
four acts Of It's presentation last night
Esnce Seven Keys to Baldpate' was
shown late last season. ana for Pc
Rod dating far back OF that we have
had no play that has possessed more
sustained interest in the unfolding OF
its plot or has introduced SO many sur
priaes in the development or It's story.
Mr.. ReiEenstein. who Is responsible
for "On Trial" has quite obviously
derived his inspiration from the NOV
ing picture plays the particular fea-
ture that he employs being known in
movie. parla ace as "A "cutback-' By
which h. meant the scene OF given
play reverta, for explanatory purposes
TO earlier episodes IN the story oc-
curing at any prior period, and which
exuiains visublly the present occur
renee or development IN tho pic
tures, of course, such a feat is easy.
On the stage, however, innumerabls
dificulties beset the producer, light
ming changes Of scenery and costume
being demanded.
In ssCn Trial these obstacles are
overcome with notable ease, ana II
ID O perfectly trained corps OF stage
hands who ere "a much responsible
fer the success Of this play 81 any
other one feature. Even TO attempt
to tell the story would be to utterly
spoil the interest for those who will
want TO witness this drama OF sur
urtses The thread Of continuity is
furnished by murder trial from It's
beginning TO the handing In of the
turys verdict. During its progress
the audience is naEicaIly whisked to
distant scene and times with sud-
dennsss that excttes wonder and adj
rairntion AT its novelty. IL is all very
novel and effective, and deserves the
praise and patronage that have at
tended It's every engagement
Inassn uch SIS the unusual character
OF this play Of reversed events and
the rnachine-hke quickness and pre-
<siaion OF a trained to the minute stage
crew are it's chief claims TO reputa-
ton, cast much inferior TO the one
provided might easily get away with
II. Bat Msssrs Cohan and Harris
have assigned to this company a num-
Der of strikingiy good players. Les
Baker as the defendant, Strickland.
IN an actor who possesses q splendid
voice and other evidences OF thorough
schooling. and his performance Is
notably clever Pauline Lord as his
wife has "a trying role that tests her
verse fifty, and she gave thoroughly
delightful end finished impersonauon
OF the pathetic woman In the case
{ Charles Riegel Is q sufficiently austere
Rrd authoritative prosecutor, and Hal
MorHaant an amply good lawyer for
the defense. All Of the remaining
Characters are well presented. and
the ''sapers" on the jury looked as II
they might have been In the original
production" from the interest they
Z showed in The trial
AS ar example OF a clever combi-
natton Of brand new Idea in playwrit-
tng wtth an astounding exhibition Of
u taat transfcsrnstioas ~ time and place
made ppssible by ingenious s'agecraft
4 sfSn Trial IL really IN class beyond
i al snnnAdsate danger ~ approach. II
: yxsA EngnreG Seven f-NVs 10 Tsaidpate"
{ br nsver tire ~ a Fohf directive story
\ Essf poss es glse 1nlfersai and human
u $Evc OF tNe sensq sznal. Il is your duty