Evening star., 1919-02-24
ADJUSTMENTS
1.-The Dancer"

A new play. after a preliminary
series of seven one-night engage
ments made its first appearance In &
large city at Poiis Theater last night.
1t is entitled The Dancer and was
written by Edward Locke. author of
The Case of Becky" and The Cli-
max" The play is a drama OF an ex-
ceptionally dignifed, yet interest com
pelling style. 1t Is not precisely the
class of entertainment that would
find a Sunday night audience most re-
sponsive to its distinctive qualities
Yet the applause gave assurance the
acting and the storytelling were ap-
preCiated thoroughly. The dne points
Of human analysis were sometimes
lost in the vigorous flow of narrative
and the interest of personality as re
this cast Martha Hedmah figures with
commanding Importance Her role is
not unfamiliar to tie theater; the
woman who loves her art va!nly seek
ing TO fling aside her career and ad-
just her life to severe domestic
standard. Her consciousness becomes
the battle-ground for contenoing al
fections Devotion TO her art 10 which
she has given her existence contends
with devotion to the man who seeks
to obiiterate every old association ana
mold her anew into the narrow iifnl-
tations of his Puritanical ideals Shs
does not rebel in wrathful self -asser-
tfnn after the usual fashion of the
role placed in this situation Sne
makes an honest effort to forget all
except her husband and yields at jast
to failure and despair only under the
hurt of unforgivable insult Ihe sep
aration scene in the final act Is tho
n
il Mr.. David Lindley rises to ue-
gree Of genuine feryor that makes
his rendhior of the character an
achievement of decided merit Ml :
Locke seems to defy the theory thal
a comely drama, to- be Popu'aI. mus
have a happy ending. iet tnefe ls'
even as the hope of home ma prihesS -
shattered, sense of grateIui fettel
in her return to the life that means
so much to her under the shet,eIins
love of her teacher, man VINO W.
ships her. but only as one SiLtso aeSn
all others to express tHe poeA'
is in his mind.
This role of the teacher is played
by Harry Mestayer with pro
tfciency which lends grace ana laenl
ism without agectation. Inc olii,o
musician, the dancers brother, Is et
fectively played by Hayoen ~
The role of the husbands aun., "no
gives expression in succession OF
shifts to the Puritantsm Which
clenches his home in an icy grip, Is
made real to the life by MISS marie
Day Higgins. constabie' pro.ss
a cauital character delineation IN the
hands of Joseph Woodburn Ihe
company is a large one and cofnpe-
tent throughout ranging IN capaoi
ties from emotional Interpretation to
the Russian dance which opens the
performance The interest OF the
story does not fully develop until the
second act Its foundation is iaid ny
a remarkable love scene at the close
of the first act. The conversahenat
length of this scene is not generally
observed because Of the felicitous
manner in which it is written ana
expressed The author has made ms
play q reminder of the modern m
terest that the drama may reflect, the
scenes ef the first and tnird acts
being so embelIished as to identity
the play at a glance as descriptive
of the life of the Russian dancers,
who, a few seasons ago. took TINS
continent by storm. 1t is seldom that
30 serious. Straightforward and intel
lectual a piece of playwrighting mas
made so prompt and favorable an I'M
preston.
The Dancer is demonstration of
the fact that the stage has place
for the drama, which does not rely
on extravaganza of situation or Hip
pancy of thought, but which assumes
to discuss in responsible terms the
und rlying emotions and impulses
which govern humanity.