Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-05-22
ADJUSTMENTS
Belasco.

AMUcEMENlS
Belasco.
It would be an auditor whose appre-
citation was narrowed to conventional
lines who could not fnd material Of
direct appeal in Dollars and Sense.
The new play was launched last night
with an enthusiasm which went safely
beyond the courteous approval expected
from q first night audience. 1t fs a
most modern creation. with the fnfu-
ence of the moving picture manifest in
q degree not hitherto noteworthy In the
merous and striking. The vaudeville
feature which provided the suggestion
remains integral and dominant. The
work which expands 1t to an evenings
entertainment consists largely of smart
dialogue. Any one of a number of the
incidents to which the conversation
leads would satisfy the average drama
tist for the purpose of suspense and
polished cynicism worthy Of Oscar
Wilde. and human interest pervades
with forcefulness that Willard Mack
might envy. The author has spared his
public any ostentatious modesty. He
acts in his own play and takes the
center Of the stage wherever the story
calls for him. He holds it creditably, a
clean cut type of today. AS recollec-
tion Sits the story, Its interest crys-
triangle. Two men love the same
woman. a fortune seeking coquette.
The worldly wise man, who is rejected
because of his inferior pecuniary pros
poets. finds her eventually ready to be-
tray his friend, who has married her.
The wise youth sacrifices his own for
tune to save that Of his friend and by
strength Of character on his own part
makes secure the honor and happiness
80 Id ct n~
shaw is the pretty woman whose self
ishness brings her to the threshold of
disloyalty. A. H. Van Buren,, a favor
lite actor in this city, is the husband
of splendid mind and patient nature.
Alan Brooks. who in addition to writ
ing the play. produced and staged it,
is the man of graceful wit and deep
sympathy who resists the mercenary
siren and saves his friend. Mr.. Brooks
has not failed to allot himself a gener-
In which the play abounds. Yet there
Is enough to give each member Of an
unusually efficient company opportu-
nifty SO great that there Is room for
the real hero Of the story. Even the
Japanese valet comes to the front and
strafghtens out the most important sit
uation of the play by q timely decep-
tion.
There may be complaint that the
drama is not an example Of well or
dered construction, but it is construc-
tion OF kind which the films have
rendered familiar and agreeable: it has
the benefit Of some Of the best dia-
logue that has sparkled across the foot
lights in many an evening.
- New National.
robin Hood" Is here again, the first
Of the offerings of the Aborn Comic
Opera Company, which opened its sea-
son at the New National Theater last
night. Reginald De Koven's romantic
comic opera, written in a day when
music was q prime requisite in opera
OF any kind. was well presented by the
company. which is scheduled to remain
In the city for several weeks. The cast
promise OF an entertaining season Of
lighter musical conceptions.
Helena Morrill,, who last night sang
Maid Marian. has clear soprano voice
great advantage in the several songs
the opera has for her. In addition Miss
Morrfll has q pleasing stage presence
and acts her part in spright1y manner.
the great song Of that part, 'oh, Prom
ise Me" so well that the audience de-
manded encores. Unfortunately for the
audience Carl Hayden. the Robin Hood
Of the cast had a cold. which all but
Charles a Bowers. as John Little John,
tossed on Brown October Ale" with a
lusty baritone and in q way which
made him friends on the spot. So also
with that old friend George Shields,
for win Scarlet's "Armorers Song" and
the rolling, rollicking forest song, 1T
Takes Nine Tailors to Mako q Man."
with It's fetch1ng harmony In the cho-
. Fat and funny Friar Tuck was played
last might by J. p. McssweeneS; VINO
kept close to the traditions Of tho role.
James McElhern was the comic Sheriff
S OF Not as With his massive
audience laugh many times Philip
Fem is an acceptable Guy Of Osborne
and Hattie Belleladd and Ethel Boyd
assume with credit to themselves the
roles of Dame burden and her fiirta-
tious daughter AnnabeL
B. F. Keith's.
tacle, by Roland Burke Hennessey.
presented by Paul Keith and 3. +,
Albee. with Julia Arthur as the central
Keith's Theater last night. the large
audience greeting its sentiments with
lusty cheers. Miss Arthur's powers as
an eiocutionist were most effective and
i ihs force &c and, and power Of her work are
the spectacle shows the Statue Of
Liberty come to life and the recital
follows Of the labors Of France for
this country since the days of wash
1ngton. It reaches its climax in the
present with the two nations standing
shoulder to shoulder. At the base nor
traits of Washington, Lincoln and VII
son are shown, and the sinking OF the
Lusitania in all its gruesomeness also
is reproduced. At the close the pic-
ture of the national flags in the taions
OF the eagle as thrown upon the
Statue Of Liberty produced a burst of
enthusiasm that brought everybody to
his feet. Many curtain calls followed.
Andrew Tombes. in THE Bride Shop"
ms third visit, had success as pro-
adequate and well dressed. Wilfred
Clarke and Company have a new sketch,
entitled Who Owns the Flat" that has
q laugh in every line. Jean Moore
sings and recites well. Regal and
Bender have an acrobatic and singing
act, which Is both funny and Surprising
Harry Carroll sang and played his own
compositions. making quite a hit. nd
MT and Mrs Jimmie Barry offer their
oio sketch. The Rube," which. ne
the brook. will probably go on for~var.
me Hearst-Pathe pictures are inter-
esting throughout.
81 Polls.
The Silent Witness" Otto Hauer-
pachs first serious dramatic work. re
celved a creditable presentation at fhe
nands OF the Poll Players last evening.