Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-18
ADJUSTMENTS
New National.

new NaClOu0l.
Camille was once regarded as the
great test, next to Juliet herself, OF
the abilities of an emotional actress.
1t is with respectful and Intelligent
care that the old boulevard classic Is
done over into modern play in key
with the viewpoint and traditions OF
modern Broadway. A part of the IN
terest in Camille was the impression
that an emotional actress was tearing
herself to tatters in her intense SYM
pathy with tho sorrows of the love-
tossed and soul shattered heroine. A
cough became almost fashionable The
entire performance depended upon the
emphasis that this one figure of the
wonderful drama could employ. The
man who played Armand always came
in for compliments from the pen OF
the reviewer, but they Were after
thoughts. Arnand's efficiency was
measured by his ability to represent
the handsome boy whose manners and
appearance would harmonic with the
one great reckless romance which
closed Camille's career.
The version presented at the New
National Theater last night gives Ar
mand much greater consideration than
did Dumas the younger. prologue
reveals him as the first figure to claim
sufferings and remorse are made con-
siderations of consequence as he brides
the caretaker to extend him the privi-
lege OF a solitary night of brooding
and where she died. 1t is unusual
prologue; in fact, an epilogue artistic
ally transpoSed
The old Camille was a study in con-
ventional attire; test of the actors
ability to wear conventional evening
dress and still preserve romantic in
terest. THE Lady of the Camelias."
as the program entities the the Ethel
barrymore play, imposes no such task.
A bohemian frolic on New Year eve
gives pretext for riotous magnificence
of costuming. Camille is arrayed in
black and silver. as Diana. and Ar
mand, as he delivers the supreme TRADE
after the gambling scene. which gives
him the money with which he insults
Camille is picturesque1y masquerading
as matador. The reveiry of color is
"a blunt concession TO the modern de-
mand for appeal to the eye. But IL is
performance throughout is rather
costume or period play than an emo
tionaf drama in the conventional sense.
1t is Camille as Clyde Fitch might
have written it had he been Dumas
ils.
Those who believe in omens cannot
fail to note with satisfaction. in con-
temptation of this most important
event in Ethel Barrymore's career. that
on this same stage of the New National
ITheater she made her first great step
into public attention. with much the
same environment of quaint costumfng.
in the Clyde Fitch play Captain Jinks.
1t was to Charles Frohman that she
Camille, and found sympathetic re
Spouse. 1t is fitting that the organi-
cation which still employs the name OF
Charles Frohman should be sponsor for
her present undertaking.
Miss Barrymore makes no effort to
revive the tearing of passions to tat
ters once regarded as essential to the
role. She proceeds with the same con-
fidence of method that characterizes all
her playing, confidence that is her
hereditary gift. Like some of the
great singers. she seems endowed by
nature beyond anything that tuition
could bestow. She knows herself, her
theater and her Audience, and If she
sometimes disregards technique. in 50
doing proves herself superior to 1t. Her
Camille is sweet, human and intensely
appealing.
Armand was excellently played by
Conway Tearle: Rose Coghlan., who
has herself trod the stage in roles of
commanding interest and who is still
competent to do so, was content to
make the most of the unsympathetic
comedy role of Olympic, the impecu-
NOUS hanger-on. Charles Garry made
the most Of his brief time on the stage,
in the senior DuvaPs interview de-
manding Candles self-sacrif1ce. No
character was Sighted in the acting in
n cast so numerous as to give the per-
formance rank almost as spectacular
production. The production by Iden
Payne is. as usual with this stage di-
rector. masterful The name Of the
adapter of the play does not appear on
the program. Had it been brought to
the attention of the audience there
would no doubt have been the Gus
tomary call for the author. for it is a
difficult work well done, and the au-
dience. distinguished in personnel, was
in most enthusiastic mood. J.