Evening star., 1917-03-13
ADJUSTMENTS
New National.

n new play performed by G. group of
players OF whom Mary Boland Is best
known In this city was shown to an In
tcsested audience Mt the New National
I'hcater last night. "The Case of Lady
Gambler is q serious play. Through
protesting no Instructive intentions re-
sarding pacifism, tho cost of living or
other topics of tho day. It unfolds q
story of tho dark side of human ma
ture with very little suggestion of life's
tighter contrast. 1t is true that Sir
bedford Suffer, tho genially pompous
nhysic,an. played by Mr.. Abingdon
does his best to make some applications
of humor whose warmth proves scoth-
.ns. He fingers aGably at his exits aud
toys with the family sherry with the
familiar graces of discreetly bioulous
comedy. While not dominant
quantity In tho story, he imprcsses
himself most agreeably by means Of
good acting.
and the company reveals the polish
which comes with association with the
London stage. However. the most vital
characer OF the plot is played by MISS
Roland. Her presentation Of the rolc
OF Lady Gambler reveals to advantage
her personal charuis-quite nbefalty-
and invites more TIM usual attention to
Aer we'll recognized abilities as an
actress.
product, vivacious, generous of nature
and prone to colloQuialisms, which jar
yle conversational elegance OF sur
roundings In which marriage has placed
Ger.
Her failing health brings her under
the care OF DR.. Harley Napier and his
valued assistant. Miss forke, protes-
sional nurse. Lord Gambler, who mas
tired OF his wife, is pursuing MISS
Torke with his attentions and the hint
that the nurse has utilized mystic
rious poison 10 kill the wife In order to
take her place develops into n suspi-
cion and eventually into a direct accu-
sation. The accusation is made by Dr..
Napier. He loves the nurse, yet Is
forced by circumstantial evidence TO
suspect her. and the process by when
yhe fictitious but formidable poison plot
is cleared up is Ingenious and intricate.
It requires g. succession OF incidents TO
explain It away, IN which Mr. Harding
holds the stage with forceful dignity
and impressive earnestneSS. Rigid in
his moral standards and sense of pro-
fessional honor. DR.. Napier Nindicates
Nurse Yorke, even while he seems her
relentless accuser. Mr.. HARDING heid
Of Interpretation. The play. with all
its seriousness of mood, is not in the
tragic key that gives the player oppor-
IunitieS for emotional greatness. Nurse
Norke. whose suicidal impulse places
in her hands the poison which makes
her a murder suspect, is given consci-
entious and intelligent attention by
Miss Shields.
The mischievous old servant OF Lady
Gambler has much to do with the COM
piexities OF the story. The role is
played with excellent realism by Miss
l.mery. Mr.. Herbert contributes an in
teresting though unlikabl portrayal of
Lord Gambler. The play in its most
lnelodramatic moments is held within
the bounds of rational demonstration.
y praiSeworthy intention to avoid
overacting is at all times evident.
The vital touch of humanity is given
by Miss Boland. The death of Lady
Gambler. in the third act. leaves the
performance without her stimulating
influence, but the tangled sl1ein of
events and motives has by this time
become SO intricate that the unravel-
ing becomes a consideration of first
Importance, claiming the closest at
tention- The language of the play is
direct Occasionally there IL an cpl
gram, but literary establishment is not
permitted to assert itself at risk of
impeding plot action.
THE Case of Lady Gambler is purely
a narrative drama, with a dignity of
its own. despite it's unmistakable re-
lationship to the best seller school of
fiction The character drawing is clear
and distinct. thanks largely 10 an ad-
inirable cast