The Washington times., 1917-06-05

PLEASES CAPITAL
First Appearance at BelascO
Meets With Approval
EXCELLENT CAST IS SEEN
Stirring Action and Smart Dialogue
Feature Brady Production.

Long and sometimes bitter experience
has taught washington's theater-going
public to be wary Of premiere produe-
lions, and an audience Of frst-nighters
q usually reserved TO a degree that is
disconcerting to q cast uncertain a. to
the outcome Of the new production
Last night at the Belasco the audi
ence gave It's verdict Of approval to
Ewes Daughter" which William A.
Brady presented for the frst time. with
An abandon that was decidedly unusual
and that seems TO Indicate q brilliant
future for Alicia RamseY's new play.
As one Of the characters who changed
for q moment from actress to critic ex-
pressed II. ITS Just like the movies"
though this verdict does not at 80 well
In cold type a. II did coming from her.
But the stirring action, the pltilsss and
daring handling OF domestic and sexual
relations and blgotry cloaking itself un-
der the Eliss OF religion. the love scenes
that at times were almost too realistic
and ardent. and the smart dialogue.
made the audience almost forget and
altogether forgive the fact that the
nnAl curtain fell at midnight
Slated to Please Many.
II the opinion Of the first nighters be
q criterion, Ewes Daughter" after
the customary pruning and with slight
revision and modification. Is slated to
please many an audience.
The story revolves about q young
woman. Irene Simpson-Bates, q child
IN knowledge and experience, who re-
volts against conventions and the con-
ditions under which she has lived. Her
% wa1 hfCof
since his Conversion had made life
life at home unbearable. at his death
cut her and her sisters OF with q pit
tanee. Taking her inheritance, she lives
for q time the life for which she has
longed. dances, pretty dresses. and the
Injuries and Eaieties Of life.
There are two men in her life. One
. young lawyer, who promises her a
home, wealth, a love, and all that or
dinarily q woman desires. The other
an entirely likeable younger son"
with his own code Of morals, but q
certain sense of honor, offers all but
q wedding ring.
With her flame OF revolt against
famed by years OF stern
parental repression she deliberately
accepts the latter and almost too late
discovers her mistake. There are ele-
ments OF surprise that make the usual
happy ending unusual and one quits
the theater without q feeling of disap-
pointment
An Excellent Cast Picked.
The cast selected is an excellent
one. As Irene. Christine Norman is
50 entirely natural and gives such an
appealing portrayal of "Eye's Daugh-
ter" that It 10 hard to foreKo the role
of prophet and predict great things
for her. Lionel Atwill, a sterling &C
tor. as the Hon Courteney UrQuhart, |
makes his role of near-viIlain SO thor |
oughly attractive that the audience
seemed almost to regret that in the /
the end he was foiled and lost to a |
oetter man. With the aid OF his lines /
be makes his exit. not once but sew
ersl times, not to the accompanirnent
of Kisses as well-regulated near-yiI-
lains should, but OF hearty applause.
Gypsy OBrien scores a personal
triumph as the shallow but wise. bean
titul but vain Victoria Canning. ana (
Lionel Belmore lays the foundatIon
with consummate skill. for the whole
ltory by his portrayal Of the Martin
simpson-Bates, the stern and biToted
father. All OF the other roles. princI-
pals ana minors are in capable hands
with no jarring discords 10 mar the
production.
Save for slight superiuity of dIa-
ioeue, and a bordering on the too
uaring In one Of the love scenes, the
auoience last night seemed to nnd no
sui with the 1rst appearance here
Of Ewes Daughter"