The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-10-09
NATIONAL.

In the recent history OF the stage
there have been presented three re-
markabIe pictures OF the Orient. The
earliest was the spoken version OF
Madam Butterfly" the second THE
Darling OF the Gods" both of these
the handiwork in stage direction OF
the master genius of Belasco. The
third was THE Yellow Jacket" and
the fourth. seen for the first time in
Washington at the National last
night, is THE Willow Tree" II David
Belasco staged the FIRST two, Benrimo
conceived the remarkable beauty of
the last two.
II is not in derogation OF the plot
or dialogue OF The Willow Tree" to
say that It is quite as much a picture
as a play. In the foreground the art
list has painted three wonderful fig
ures, The Image. glowing with
beauty: Hamilton, the hero OF a
sweetly pretty romance. and Toma-
tada, the old wood carver. These fg-
ures are full drawn and finished. Into
the background the artist has sketch
ed half a dozen other characters not
less attractive because more family
drawn. The Bird Seller. whose mo-
ment on the stage is brief and feet
ing, is like an old ivory come to life.
The Blind Street Singer, a startling
bit of reality, The Fish Seller and
The Priest. fieeting visions, but real
identities.
The story OF the play is a modern
application OF the old Legend OF the
Willow Tree" and no more graphic
indication of the charm OF the dia-
logue can be given than to reproduce
this legend as recIted in the frst act
by Tomatada after he has brought
the image he has carved to the gar
den home o0Hamilton. The story a.
Tomatada told it follows:
Great hero OF old Japan, named
Itomudo, when young man grew Bit
ter and weary of the world, and re-
tired to foreign overwater land and
there lived in distant forest hermit
age. To his loneliness came a most
fair woman. Her origin was not to
Itomudo known, but, SO legend say,
she was, in truth, most marvellous,
q tree spirit, coming from out the
heart Of a nearby-growing green will
low tree. She, Princess of Willow
branch, loved Itomudo and made him
happy like mortal wife. And Ito
mudo forgot Japan.
Then enemies suddenly came
against Nippon, threatening even
great castle OF Mikado; and messen-
ger came urgently across blue seas,
calling on Itomudo to go back and
Tight to save Japan.
But Itomudo said, mo, never can
leave beloved woman wife" willing
was he, most unworthily, to sacrifice
his honor for his love. Then fair
Willow Wife, truly more strong than
he said: "Itomudo, cut down this un-
friendly too much growing Willow
Tree which brings dishonorable shade
upon our garden hut and Itomudo,
suspecting nothing. puts ak to tree
while Willow Wife laughs gayly. And
when he turns, he hears one more
gay laugh, and sees nothing but gar
ments of beloved and one green will
low branch; for she had gone back
to heart OF Willow Tree.
So did Willow Princess, with her
life, save Itomudo's honor, and send
him back to distant home across blue
seas. And Itomudo became brave,
famous, victorious general. and did
duty OF saving well-loved homeland
Of Japan
The turning OF this legend into a
modern setting is what THE Willow
Tree" develops in its three acts.
Miss BANTER. strikingly attractive
in her oriental garb, is a charming