The Washington herald., 1919-12-15
By EARLE DORSEY

By EARLE DORSEY
Peering through the fog Of adula-
aon and panegyric that but yes
erday SO heavily swathed "Carni-
ral." the pretentiously heralded
london hit that opened its Ameri-
an run at the Belasco last night.
me pauses to wonder just how
overwhelming q London hit Car
dvaI" actually proved. within the
past three weeks Washington has
appraised two London hits" and
iespite the high press-agentry
hat hovered about both like an
Iura, Washington Is slowly emerg-
ng from its hypnosis with two or
hree concrete ideas in mind The
irst OF these ideas challenges the
Iource of the praise that usually
surrounds London" pieces The
pecond conclusion casts doubts upon
he real popularity of these impor-
ations in their home element. The
bird doubt-granted the other two
rave no foundation In fact - con-
serns London's ability to Judge
lrama for America Take "Carni-
rall," for instance
Carnival is not a bad play. as one
Is accustomed to Judge homegrown
offerings. 1t has been backgrounded
against settings Of pretentious beauty
md its cast. for the most part, re-
1ects that careful. studious training
20 which the British school Of acting
addicted 1t is technically accurate
n its stagecraft and its dialogue dis
plays a sound elaboration. but as
irama Carnival Is neither profound
meme. novel in treatment nor dis
inguished in Interpretation
II one were to tear out the
hakespearean play of "Athello." lay
he characters in Venice of the
twentieth century. translate its dia-
ogue into modern English and
hen unblushing tack on a happy.
anticlimactic ending, one would have
Carnival" in a nutshell. Begin
ling with the thesis that Othello
vas quite right in his jealousy Of
Oesdemona. it proceeds to prove
hat Othello was right. The chief
character. as a matter of fact, Is
IN actor distinguished for his
doorish impersonations. who goes
a64 ms luC SSChC VI
'OtheIlo-" becomes 4, te literal in
his acting and very nearly strangles
his own Desdemona, whose indis-
retions. the audience Is advised,
IRE such little indiscretions, after
IN
Now, one might not cavil at
)thello transplanted to the TWEEN
ieth century. Such a theme tight
e hackneyed in conception. but II
Eould be dramatically basic. BAs
Ehen, for transparent box office pur-
'oses, the gentleman fails to choke
he lady, RECEIVERS his wits in the
Id John Q. Nickotime and weakly
.ccepts the truth and condones the
ffense, one begins to purchase 'in
oemoriam" wreathes and write let
ers of coincidence to the London
tage il -CarnivaP' is one OF Lon
on's honest-to-gosh sensations.
Nor is the effort greatly improved
the sweet young wife, indiscreet
nth the indiscretions of youth and
.lstrimonial immaturity. turning to-
Tard the audience a face that while
ossibly not lined with age is not the
ace of a young wife by some fifteen
ears. Even American audiences in
ae year of our Lord 1919 are quick to
ppheciate the perfect angling for
athos revealed by a tot in rompers
rho crosses the stage crying for
lamma after mamma apparently,
ad sailed on to Venice's own Coney
sIand in a gondola
1t seems strange that showmen
hould fancy, for a moment. that
rained actors, pretty scenery and an
ssiduous press agent with a London
ccent to his stun can make a lion
Eed hit Of a play that is not COM
cling stun. Godfrey Tearie, who
as been cast in the principal role
s a great italian master of the thea
er, Is undoubtedly an actor of skill
nd experience but even Mr.. Tearle
ails to raise to robust stature a part
hat American audiences will have
exceeding difficulty in understanding.
americans have a habit of appraising
trength of character by a mans
bility to master emotional conflict IN
be face Of great stress. Mr.. Teanle's
ree-hand gesturing and handwriting.
ossibly accurate from the Italian
tandpoint. seems hollow. artificial
nd theatrical, rather than dramatic.
A q. Anson. himself a transplanted
.nglishman. has the role of the other
nan-a dapper officer of the Italian
rny. an adept at love-making and
. polished a villain as ever flipped
cigarette case. But Mr.. Anson's
GESTURES and hissings early assume
rescendo and once crescendo Is at
aimed. the course lies toward pian-
ssimo. which is wearying. One might,
line with al lthis, call attention
other principal roles, assumed by
rring wife: by Olive Oliver, as her
ealous but nevertheless accurately
uspicious sister-in-law: by Schuyler
add. Horace Pollock. and several
theirs. but what would be the use?
ui-all struggle with parts that
arely ring with that sterling note,
u seem trying. trying, trying TO
,ake articulate and animate parts
drama that moves yet does not
rove.
Carnival may find continuing
udience with those members of the
rama League who seem ever ready
fall down and worship at the shrine
Z the London drama. but for our
art. we have too high q respect for
ie drama Of England to identity too
tosely Herewith a drama of no
reater weight than Carnival"
Gsrriek -Thurston. the Mnxiei,p.
Thurston states his object is to
systify as well as entertain. He
d both to a packed house at the
Prrick last night that evidently
,ught novelty In amusement and
'lilas II In good measure.
In his repertoire Of feats that de-
I'VE me eye and center the inter-