Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-12-02
ADJUSTMENTS
NATI0NAL-"The Rise of Peter
Barban."

Peter Barban, Italian born, but
Americanized in the depths of his
mind and heart, made his first ap-
pearance in Washington before a
large audience at the National The
alter last night. The comedy is in a
prologue and three acts, entitled THE
Rise of Peter Barban." 1t is by Maud
Skinner and Jules Eckert Goodman.
The character won the genuine friend
ship Of the audience chiefly through
the work of Otis Skinner. Mr.. Skin
ner made Barban loving and ten
der father, a constant guardian of the
happiness of his "bambina" and will.
ing to make any sacrifice for that
dear Angela who had not known
mothers loving watchfulness since
babyhood. Mr.. SINNERS wonderful
magnetism, his complete loss of him
self in his character, his ability to
without an apparent effort-all were
strongly evident in this latest work
of the artist who has a multitude of
admirers in this city that expect him
always, and never in vain. to enter
tain them delightfully."-.
Italian immigrant, and it is probable
that the success of Mister Antonio
suggested another play giving him
an opportunity to delineate the
Italian. Peter Barban is as llkable
as Mister ANTONIO yet h in hsart fSat
won him friends. Peters primary
appeal is because of his paternal love
for his daughter, the idol of his eyes
and the whole of his future hopes:
The portrayal is thorough delight
and dominates the comedy.
There is no similarity in the plays
of "Mister Antonio" and THE Rise
Of Peter Barban" The new plays
prologue shows the anteroom of a
criminal court at West Durham, Pa
Pietro Barbano for murder of his
wife, has announced it is ready to
report. The audience learns the cir
cumstances of the alleged murder by
the speculations of court attaches
that Pietro and his wife had had
nmarrei because the wife had at
tackled his dog and mistreated their
hambina. and, although the body of
| the wife was not found. Pietro was
found covered with blood and clutch
! ing a fragment of his wife's dress.
He said he did not know whether he
| had killed his wife or not in his rage.
The finding Of the jury was an &C
| uuittaI. The curtain falls on Pietro's
| happiness in having his baby restored
to his arms rather than in having
| his own freedom.
The play itself has it's scenes on the
| magnificent Casa Esperanza estate of
Peter Barban (for Pietro has Ameri-
canized his name as his heart has
grown American) and his partner,
Alfred Peyton. naturalist. In the
| eighteen years that have elapsed
peter has grown rich and his bambina
has grown to a vivacious and at
ira ctive Angela. In response to the
| eirlish questions about her mother,
Peter has pictured her to his daughter
as everything that is good and the
l o. all 11@ IN
the estates chapel a memorial window
| to her mother. The artist of the
window is Keith Oliphant, jr.. son Of
the district attorney who prosecuted
| Pietro, who has fallen in love with
| Angela. Keith's father arrives at the
his family of the daughter of a
murderer" while Teresa the sup
nosedly murdered wife of Pietro.
comes to force money from Peter by
hIackmail or by other methods in
Keeping with her unprincipled life.
The action moves swiftly. Peter
| struggling vainly against too great
| odds to keep his daughter happy in
the belief of her mothers worthiness
He could not do this, but the curtain
| falls on a Peter with a heart filled
| with the peace that passeth under
standing"
,, Mr.. SINNERS supporting company
is thoroughly capable. Although she
gave the Impressions of superficiality
/ at first, Ruth Roses Angela was in the
end most appealing portrayal. for
she rose to the dramatic opportunities.
| Alfred Peyton, the naturalist who de-
veloped wonderful flowers and vege-
| tables by his methods of growing and
grating, was an unusual and de-
: lightful character, as portrayed by o.
B. Clarence.
The appeal which the play made at
its Washington premiere last night
| would not cease until Mr. Skinner
made brief speech, expressing appre-
citation that the infant play had found
so many and so appreciative foster
parents.
B. F. KEITH'S-Vaudeville,