Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-11-18
ADJUSTMENTS
NATIONAL-"Caesar's Wife"

The announcement of u play from
the pen of that eminent English play
wright. w Somerset Vaughan, insures
AN interesting diversion for an even
ing without serious tax on the
heart or nerve strings. The audi
ence which attended the National
Theater last night to witness Mr..
Maugham's London success. Caesar S
Wife," with Miss Billie Burke for
it's heroine, was not disappointed IN
the least, although his latest product
to be witnessed by washington inca
ter-goers is not so frothy or efferves-
Gently gay as some of his well re-
membered offerings. 1t is not drah
by any means, however. 1t has the
brilliant marks of Smaftness, OF
sparkling dialogue and of poignant
phiIosophy that made for strong APP
nreciation on this side of the foot
lights.
It's plot is based on the love TRAN
gle vet the old theme IS given suci,
a new dress and is approached ana
developed from such new angie Una
the audience forgetS the old in aoHlra-
ton for the new. The scenes AZ
laid in the house and garden OF tIie
British consular agent IN Sa Iiu,
Egvpt with the smart society dolheS
of a British colony as a background.
Sir Arthur Little, the brilliantly en-
cient British consular agent, recent
has been married to a siri ."In.s
years his Junior and is more III loFc
with her than when the knot was
tied. Violet had been carried of her
feet by Sir Arthur's prominence ana
mistook deep admiration fer love. Sir
Arthur's secretary, Roland farry' Eas
been helpful to her in enabling nef
to meet the exacting social duties OF
the British official and their propin-
guilty has developed the love triangle,
with Lady Little fully realizing her
love for the young secretary
Roland's sister. approaching the SIT
uation, has pulled the wires of the
British foreign office to get him trans
. ferrrd to Paris The crisis comes
when Sir Arthur determines to. keep
Roland in Egypt by giving him fine
promotion. In one Of those intensely
human and natural scenes which
could only be written by Il master
dramatiS and played by artists OF the
first rank. Violet confesses her love
for Roland to her husband. Here is
introduced the novelty of treatment
by Mr.. Vaughan. for Sir Arthur ad-
mits he has realized the situation
for some time and announces his de-
termination to let his wife work oIt
the problem for herself, implicitly
trusting her and his belief that only
the weak are overcome by sucn sltua-
lions. Had Mr.. Maugham not already
wildly portrayed the unusual char
acter of Sir Arthur. his action might
have taxed the creJulities. Several
weeks pass between the second and
last acts. Violet has observed the
fight her husband has been making
without word of complaint. and Ro-
lands youthful affections have been
directed toward pretty American
girl visiting in Cairo. The curtain
falls on Violet going to a happy sleep
in the arms of the husband, whom
she has learned to love.
Miss Billie Burke. who heads the
cast, overcame an early handicap of
forgetting her lines to make stirring
emotional appeals. She held a strong
grip OH her audience, especially dur
ing her big scenes. She had most
capable assistant in that able actor.
Norman Trevor. who gave just the
proper touch of sternness. and yet
sentiment to the role of Sir Arthur.
Tom Powers. who essayei the char
acter of Roland Parry. did not quite
measure up to the high standard of
the other members of the cast. al
though his appeal in the second act
rose above his other bits.
The play has been beautifully
mounted. the stage settings being un-
usually pleasing to the eve and the
gowns notable creations of the dress
making art.