The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-08
Guy Bates Post.


With the footlighting of Katherine Cecil
Thurston's story of The Masquerader
Guy Bates Post, an ambitious and gifted
aeter re e e. the Gae
the once popular form of stage play known
as drama, lately pushed from the American
gives a full blooded, graceful and eloquent
performance. striking accurately and sus-
tanning unwaveringly the true note of
drama.
The materials of the play might not seem.
In cursory examination. to promise muen
to dramatist working IN the ne old ara AM
figure is devoid of the quality of heroism.
in the theatrical sense
The Post embodiment of the dual roles
are figures to arrest the eye and fire the
ina gination. He is an actor in whose mind
a spectre dwells: he sees and senses the
wierd and the singular; he strikes the note
of wonder; he -materiaIizes the demonic
spirit, q feat attained by few players. He-
tween narcotic addict and the real man he
maintains a perfect balance, the nature he
presents as the drug fiend is a complete
contradiction of the traits he presents as
the man. As the man. how plausible and
eloquent he can be; as the sot, how vicious
ly matter Of fact.
Every word of the play, author or dram
atist is cleaning gem In Posts valuation
Of Ii. He is superb reader, with be
and trumpet in his voice. And what speech
cs there are in the play. their words turned
in melody and meaning, phrase earessing
plfgase-English undefiled, spoken without
defllement.
IT you do not know, and would know.
what a lovely thing our language is, how
full of delicate beauty and how rich in
color. commend to you Posts reading OF
Mr.. Posts. acting in the play should
capture and keep the interest of any play
goer worthy of the designation. Upon his
For spirit and depth, for grace and ease,
for 1ightness in banter and for vigor in
conflict for enforced and complete reyela-
this issa proud and impressive impersona
ton. veritahle tour de force in acting.
maker" The wears from then till now have
quieted him somewhat, but 1t has brought
to him finer poise, purer sentiment. clearer
nothing from the beauty, warmth. and
virility of his voice or from the impecea-
Bile finish and surety of his technie. He
acted then as one who acts because he was
born to act. He acts so today, only that
it is the more matured artist instead of
the impetuous youth aGlow with genius
fire. A master he stands, individual, sin
cere, powerful and the message he brought
last evening was good stage manners and
The scenic investment is beyond descrip-
ton. A perfect wonderment of effects and
mechanical stage eraftmansh:p.
Mr.. Posts was powerfully supported by
an extraordinary cast of efficient players.
notably, Miss Alice John did everything
required of her exquisitely, giving a sensi-
John Chilcote Artisticnlly she is faultless.
She gave all her talents in her part with
ing AHttHlSeHee anu an uHerTiuB Soou
taste which distinguished her.
What a beautiful performance Mr.. Elwyn
Eaton gave as Block. a loyable. comedy
man, ger, yet humble. His work posses
every particle of artistry.
Miss Ruby Gordon maintained a clever
character role In Robbins. that compelled
sympathetic nature TO arise which she
was fully capable of inducing.
When John Hunter Booth dramatised
Katherine Cecil Thurston's "Masquerader"
he made the story more complete. In thu
book there is no conclusion as to what