The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-12-30

New York. Dec. ~2A-This is efn-
'erally a duh week theatrically, and
though we have ONLY n counie r. pisvs
scheduled for production, AT LEAST one
of them, abraham Lincoln" Is of the
greatest interest and Importance. II
Is from the pen Of tho noted Eneftsh
writer. John Drinkwater and its arti9-
tic career in London he's hem more
than sensational. Produced nj Il
itheater far distant from the theatrical
section OF that metropolis. and by one
of the maIigned "the1tar societies Il
has become n remains Of tho
sensational stage successes Of the
decade. Its American recention inlf-
Gates that It wiz nrove rui.e as repu-
lar with native p~laygoers. It has al
ready been see at Washington and n
f"w less important cities. and in every
way tustIfies the prediction hat ii viii
be d remarkable success William
Harris. Jr.. n the who has
the courage to do the play here. and
he made an excellent selection in Les
ter Lonerxan as the producer. IL will
he reviewed later.
Last week three nia vs were offered
for consideration. Monsieur Benu~
caire." a musical version ~ thqt.cete-
hrated play in which the 'ate Richard
Mansfield apren red being the most i'm
III III IL ~ n SfbIi3NliIi1f ft t0- ktAfA4tt
Harrington thai his celebrated story
lends itself 50 harnilv to stage nrrsen-
.ation, whether with or without svrf~al
accomnaniment Frederick Lona.iafe
made the Admiration, Adrian Ross con
tributed the tvrics and Andre Mesa cor
wrote the music. II is a hapnv cofnti-
nation. and rcsultef in achieving "a
distinct popular success in which the
entire cast shared. TT is a captivating
-
won london, all save Blanche Temlin.
who succeeded Maugie Tavte as LADY
Mary Carlisle. Marion Green. who
Gang the title role, is an American. and
his performances. dramatically as we'll
~ vocally, was adequate to the utter
most degree. Inseed. the entire cast
cave annie evidence of irtel'irence
and ability at all times The local
press has accorded It unstintoa praise.
Colbert Miller. son TO Henry Miller aai
cf late successful in London theatrical
affairs. brought the oneretta to this
country. and besides having done a
creditnhle thing for his countryman,
has done a. wise thing for himself.
THE Phantom Legion" is an untn-
srfred play on an inspired subject, and
The failure which 1t scored may be
charged directly Ia Anthony Pau,
Kelly. the author. He has assumed
tn treat the subject OF s~piritua'isrn-
in this case It Is the return Of the
spirits OF three American soldiers and
the shade of a famous Frenchman-
and has failed entirely To give pref
erencc to intelligence over common
place theatrical effects. Failing thus,
he also failed to give his play a cast
OF players competent to handle the
delicate subject Except for the sym
pathetic and always charming Efls
Ellsler as the mother OF three adopted
SOM who gave their lives to tho u
md to Paul Gordon as the spirit off
the departed French writer, the cast
was wholly inadequate. The theme Is
ono which Ii attracting notice, but 1t
can be handled only ny a master
craftsman. Three spirits OF the de-
parted return to earth and seek to al
tevtate the unhappiness OF a devoted
foster mother and set things right / IL
the heart Of others II is surchar ged
with sorrow, and holds out little hor,..
for happiness. The stage effects are
Of gripping interest at times. but 10
play q drama two-thirds in almost
total darkness Is more than a shirt
can bear, II failed OF imrrcssiveness.
although there was evidences OF the
authors sincerity and seriousness
throughout. Mr.. Gordon's beautiful
reading Of q lengthy speech was a
notable artistic achievement.
miss Millions" was another new
play OF the past week. being the initial
effort OF r III. Burnside. WHO hrs a@~n
70 much to win plAudits OF those who
are attendants upon Hippodrome per-