Evening star., 1917-09-16
j. - - ANLrON" will Leave Wash
ington with what is
known theatrica1ly as n
/, good press" 1t is

known theatrfcally as n
good press" 1t is
play that appeals pecu-
Iarly to the man Of writing tenoen-
cies. 1t is Enthusiastically a Geo
&c. Tyler production in its defiance OF
iconventional rules and regulations for
the current popular drama. Since his
sensational success with The Chris
tian," which first saw the footlights in
this same National Theater. Tyler
has had vici.situdes of fortune which
witnessed the rise and the decline of
the Liebler & Co. prominence. His
present partnership association with
Klaw L Erlanger places him once more
in q position to explore the Libraries as
well as the actor mart on Broadway for
material which will not only interest
and amuse. but which will compel a
certain amount of respectful discus
sion.
The attention given from the audi
torium was cautions in the opening
evenings of the week. almost to the
degree of diffidence. There was uncer-
tainty In the air. The paths were
strange to the actors themselves. Ac-
customed 10 play the brutal husband.
the injured wife. the heroic lover and
the other familiar types. they were sud
denly called upon to comprehend and
express processes of thought which re-
late to human ambition in its loftiest
flights and phila nthropy in its most SIN
cere and practical endeavors. Later in
the week Mir. Ariiss and his company
1oSe Handsomely to their responsible
ties. A patriotic idealism. transcend
ing considerations of personal welfare,
distinguishes the biographies of Ham
1lton that the public likes best to read.
b. ,ol,
fortitude of his character. have inter-
eSted American citizenship far more
than the lapse from standards of per-
eOnal virtue which writer's of romance
from time to time seek to utilize. Again.
on the stage. the evil that men do lives
after them.
While the political episodes which
form the legitimate charm of the crea-
tion have been verified with studious
prudence the heart interest has been
handled in most abrupt and uncom-
promising fashion. The attainment of
thoroughly impressive climax sacri-
fices the human probabilities with the
remorselessness of an oldtime melo-
dramatist. The close analysis of human
type falte-ts soon as the work leaves
the realms of steel engravings and pub
lie documents and is thrown upon the
resources of maginative power and in
tuitive human comprehension.
Hamilton. whose magnificent mental
1ty MADE DISCUSSIONS OF political econ
omy so lucid in thought and so graceful
In phrase as to give them status both
In statecraft and literature, is pre-
sented as an idle husband willing to
trif1e away his domestic loyalty in
quest of an evenings spree" His
acquaintance with Mrs. Reynolds is
developed without regard to at least
the semblance of superficial formality
which man of his elegant customs
and lofty plane of thought would de-
mand. Reynolds represents the mod
ern cadet who infests the thorough
1ares of the great city closely that
he would be thrown out Immediately
the bouncer of the Exchange Coffee
House caught sight of him. Monroe
was made up to look as if he might
have been the bouncer. Mrs. Reynolds.
admirably played, was none the less
closely identified with the denizen of
the pave. whom impudence alone
could support in an intrusion beyond
the threshold of such austere refine
ment. The heart interest does not
trouble itself with shadings of char
acter complexities of motive. but
rests it's claim fatty on the doctrine of
total depravity.
Congressman Giles is accorded no
explanatory attentions. but is made
to stand forth like Uriah Heep. a ras-
cal for the sheer love of his fellow
mans contempt That man of SO
uneneaging a personality and such
ostentatioUs lack of principle should
have risen so high in the estimation
of his fellow citizens as to become the
associate of Jefferson, Hamilton and
Monroe impresses itself as an i'm
probability. What other romances have
sought to depict as a liaison. colored
with some warmth of sentiment. this
performance reveals simply as an early
example of the well known badger
game.
In spite of the palpable effort to
estimate current taste on conventional
lines by this unvarnished introduction
of domestic complications. the impress
sion of serene dignity which history
has thrown about the characters sur
vites animpaired. Each grouping of
great men fingers in imagination like
an old-time picture and the spectator
derfully studied characterizations, al
most in the presence of men whose
names stand for love of country and
the capacity for unreasonable sacrifice
for their countrv's honor.
''Lomba rdy. Ltd" involved no mental
strain whatever. 1t is by Frederic and
Fanny Hatton. and is by no means
Fanny's first play. 1t aims to please
ers and collection of fashion crea-
lions so far ahead of last season that
u swings clear around the circle and
re-establishes the bustles of our grand
mothers in ultra smart attire. The ter
ntnation SEQ" to the name of the pro-
ducer appears to find favor in Wash
mgton- AS Morosco departs from this
city. confident that he has a success
ready to unfold in New York, Belasco
looms in the ofhng with another new
cargo Of ideas.