The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-11-04

When the final curtain dropped at
the Belasco alta IL 80 last night, ii was
with a feeling of regret that the
members of the large audience bid
adieu to the realistic characters with
whom they had become so thoroughly
acquainted during the three hours
presentation of THE Auctioneer."
The clear, faithful and effective
character delineation is the real
charm of the play, although the plot
itself is not without interest You are
introduced to real, live, flesh-and-
blood people, who, like Dickens char
acters, will remain among your
friends for many a day.
From the standpoint of dramatic
art, the play is a Belasco masterpiece,
with pathos and humor skillfully
blended throughout in a way that
many playwrights attempt but in
which few entirely and brilliantly
succeed. --.
While a family is bewailing the
sudden discovery that they have been
swindled and are left penniless, dan
GERS in the adjoining room are whirl-
ing about to the jazzy strains of ia
da, Ja-da."
While a penitent crook is weeping
and asking forgiveness, his brother is
protesting against the pouring out of
too full glass of liquor to wet his
villainous whistle. And while this
crooks wife, once naughty and over
bearing, boo-hoos over the i'll fate
| that has befallen her, her brother-in-
law earnestly pleads with her not TO
| cry all over the goose that lies on
the dinner table in front of her.
1t is such human interest touches as
| these-vivid contrasts of humor to
ell nhn Of hn fhnt oal he
! play a dramatic gem. And the acting
| is just as charming as the play itself,
David Warfield, as Simon Levi, the
Jewish auctioneer, realistically por-
trays the role of the typical second
! hand dealer who let's the so suit go
| like a flash when 90 cents is offered
| for il, and who snatches every passer-
| by and compels him to come in and
buy something. He possesses that
simple naturalness which is the high
est art.
Marie Bates is excellent in the role
| of Mrs. Eagan, Irish friend of the
Lewis, who raises the bids at the auc-
| ton sales to keep the prices high
| and who makes a charming society
| dame when the Lewis make a splurge
Helena Phillips, in the role of Mrs
| Leavitt, is effective as the naughty
and spendthrift wife of Isaac, the
| scoundrel brother of Simon Levi
Guy Milham, as Richard Egan, and
Lorna Napier, as Helga, lack the nat
| uralness that distinguishes the good
| actor, and they appear rather anna
! flourish and recite their lines.
Back of the delightful character
delineation, the interesting, if some
what slight, plot, and the creditable
| acting is a thread of philosophy that
is just as charming as the rest OF the
| play. Simon Levi exemplifies the
| Christian ideal of brotherly love and
| forgiveness. and he teaches that tru,
| happiness can not dwell in the hear
| where bitterness and unkindnes.
reign. His influence induces those
who despise his scoundrel brother t
forgive him, and the play rightly ends
| with a love feast and everybody
happy. Life is so short that w,
should try to make every minute on
of happiness says one OF the charac.
| tiers. David Belasco filled 80 min
utes with happiness for a playhouse
| full of people last night.