Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-25
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Is many season since ArdinpdS
In The virginian" exclaimed to the
boy whom every one loved and
pitied in the plight to which bad
company had brought him, Take
your medicine graceful. Steve" Many
n throat felt the lump that rises as a
sob is suppressed when the lad dragged
himself to the tree from which the
moose dangled to punish cattle rustIers.
1t was Guy Bates Post who played
Steve with a subtle yet tremendous
appeal At that time the question
whether he would become star scarce
ly presented itself to any mind. ex-
'cepting. of course. that of the player.
who Is sustained in his work by the
ambition to attain solitary greatness.
II was vigorous. red-blooded play,
THE Virginian." with room for acting
talents. 1t was the spirit of the west.
where equality was the rule, and even
though a star. was designated, every
man In the cast had his opportunity
to make good. Post was recognised as
an excellent actor. in fine company.
and perhaps too young to tempt con-
lecture as to his future.
In The Masquerade" Mr.. Post re-
turns az the finished product. an ex-
example of consummate efficiency in
'one of the most exacting tasks the
footlights bring to the player. a dual
role. The play is pure drama in the
popular acceptance of the term. 1t Is
not nationalistic In spirit. although 1t
deals with crisis in the affairs Of
1.-The English government. 1t does not
moralixe. even when depicting the hor-
rors of drug and drink with merciless
truth. Even the problems offered by
the eternal triangle are but scantly
dealt with. situation which finds
the struggling writer in love with the
wife OF the inebriate member of parlia-
men whom he SO strangely resembles
Is worked out with fine discretion and
dignity. 1t 10 play for the sake Of
the story telling. The central charac-
skill. but 1t is the adventure and not
the moral attitude or the argument
that is interesting.
No star could ask for more complete
recognition than Mr.. Post receives. He
70 both hero and villain. monopoiist
OF any Kisses that may arise as well
as Of generous applause. He renders
distinct the two roles with little arti-
nee. SO far as costume il concerned,
monocle and the silk hat worn BY the
member Of parliament. Yet the change
OF identity is impressed In q manner
that leaves no opportunity for the
=
The performance is tricky in a me-
chanica1 way. as well as highly
elaborated In plot. In one scene Mr..
Post. like some of the illusionists seen
.ns 70 %sss tG ss.st IN
on the opposite course. The complica-
tions are put together with deftness
an: and t the story clicks along as briskly
not yet been seen in New York and its
producers confidently expect that it
viii rank among the metropolitan
successes.
Language struggles to express the
attraction with which the National
Iheater entertained q tune-loving pa
tronage. An assemblage Of syllables
brought to attention the fact that the
star 70 Mitzi and the show 10 Pom
Pom" The reader may make up his
own :i4nifcsnees. restricted only By the
cerned Mitzi must be-1nterprsted at
meaning scmethtnE ve1v copplimsn~s
tsry: Indeed. She is winsoTiae per-
theater talking about her In terms Of
admiration which far more serious his
trionic effort has sought in vain to
win.
In prospect are a number of attrac-
tions well out Of the usual atmosphere.
Mr.. William Thackeray. q novelist of
repute. voluminous, perhaps, but still
snanaging to hold his own among the
:highly decorated "best Sellers" will be
isintroduced to the stage. His career
has been q remarkable one. A large
number Of best sellers" which threaten
to obliterate his fame have flashed
Through attention into a permanent OBJ
security. Whatever may be said OF his
deficiency in punch" and comic col
9oQuialism, William Thackeray survives.
John Drew's appearance in Major PEN
dennis" will bring the great English
novelist forward in the drama for the
FIRST time since Mrs. Fiske scored her
great success in Vanity Fair" Lovers
of opera are looking forward to the
San Carlo company. which has demon
strated such meritorious entertainments
In the past, and the local horizon is
Frightened by the best ever" stock
company which Manager Berger as
ssmble. regularly once year. Inter
national interest is not negiected-sir
Herbert Tree being scheduled for a
6hakespearean engagement. And for
those who demand outdoor entertain
Jnent. there will be the splendid pageant
1y to be defined as tragedy. comedy or
pathos, as you will, revealing Tammany
marching in full accouterment in the
Inaugural parade.
PHILANDER JOHNSON.