Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-12-16
bElASC0 PURPOSE
N-'-- = 7-- L - =
d T0A0NOR CAPITAL.
Opening of "Deburau" Here
Is Considered Of Special <
Significance.

David Belasco. ono Of tho few
great masters Of the world in play
production. has sought to honor Wash
ington by the presentation here Of
'Deburau." the famous poetic drama
iof Sscha Gnitfy. the french drama
tist. previous to It's Now York premier.
This was suggested by Mr.. Belasco
to representative Of The star after
the matinee performance yesterday,
in response to q question that could
not veil be avoided
MI Eelasco said that no considered
4 H. e;rhsps tho greatest; homer of IDS
producers to make the American pro-
dnctton OF ths play, which has been
acclaimed BY the highest critical opin-
ion of France and other cootiner ,tal
countries, and which has been accept
az ~ popular Acc1Amataon abroad -
the greatest play that has been writ
Ten since .Cyrsano do Bergerac.'
he said Its Promoters were having
Il produced in the other great Euro
pean capitals by the producers they
oo M t. oSst 9eaAnSd- Tor the work
M1tnege- Of making the American
Production fell to me- /. felt It was
the highest complainant I had evar re
oeiveo. It was indeed q signal honor.
oeceuce It seemed like a world YER
80 90 " WAAGu / HaV0 &c.
voted my ufe
Generous in Acceptance,
washington has always been no
generous in its acceptance of Other
productions I have made that + had
t&ksn 1t to my heart As one Of INV
1[1endIy cities whore I loved to dis
play my work in Its earliest fresh
ness. have always found. that its
cess.
when this great honor Of produce
ing the Sacha Guftry play came to
me 1 was so eager to put my whole
1ate on the cast of the die that 1 de-
cided to hazard the whole venture
alone, with my own personal fortune.
nave no financial. associates and nv
thought never once has been upoY
financial results. <
No play ever cast in America has
hao the Incompatible array of talent
OF the highest order enlisted as that
IN the American production Of De
'oorhu Lionel Atwill regard as
one one o. the greatest Of great actors on
detail Of costume, character make.,,n
and scenic accessories Is q faithful and
approved replica Of the oriefna Is
Europe. Va
Lseks to Approval Here.
Ehe play, as presented, il the play
OF Sacha Guitry. its greatFrench au.
tnor, as ada ptedAapd SO Beautifully
and faithfully-by the distinguished
dranvlie Barker. who is now in Lon
don. 1t 10 not my play, nor 10 1t one
which could. or which 1 would |
even II 1t were admissib BILE, alter in,
the slightest particular to suit a |
popular fancy, or my own twhim. 1t |
came to me stamped with the q ryfenti
and enthusiastic Endorsement of the
Of the European capitals, lft- |
efary and critical, and it would be
indeed daring, andacious presumption |
to attempt revision or q modification |
in the slightest particular.
I am looking to my Washington |
audiences for their generous ap-
proya1 Of what hope Nill be consid- |
cred the best effort Of my life in play
Debur1u' viii 60 direct !
from here to the Belasco Theater,
New York. am hoping and believe
it vii 80 with the heartiest indorse-
meDt OF the capital Of my country"
Mr.. Belasco has been with the play
since the arrival Of the !
production In Washington. Night aud |
day he has given it his closest per-
sonal supervision. And the generous
and insistent applause that has COM |
PEELED him to respond to repeated cur.
tain calls along with his distinguish |
ed star and his notable company |
nave had a meaning that went faEtheSI
than in any previous production, foil
ne feels that the eyes OF the world |
are upon his production and that |
it is the supreme test Of the art Of |
David Belasco.