The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-12-12
Lionel At4vM Makes His Dsbu!
At Relasco In a French Comedy

The Belasco Theater stage viii be
occupied by new Belasco star this
week, when David Relasco presents
Lionel Atwill IL "Dcbu. au." n comedy
from the French Of Sdcha Gultry,
adapted by Granville Barker, immedi-
ately preceding his engagement at the
Bclaaco Thcater. New York.
Mr.. Atwill recently completed two
successful seasons as leading man for
Frances starr in Tiger. Tiger" and
90 emphatic WAS his success in that
play that Mr.. Belasco hes now con
fsrr"d the rank Of stardom upon him
IN this comedy.
"Dcburau," which enjoyed a long
and successful engagement in Paris
with the author, Sacna Guitry, in the
title role. Is now being produced for
the inst time in English. with Mr.. At
i'll, OF course ,.impeI sonating the title
role, in which tho author won 80 great
success in Paris.
M. Atwill, II is said. Is unusually
well suited 10 the role Of "Deburau.
which affords him unusual Opportuni-
ties to reveal his unquestIoned ants
try in an entirely new light.
For his support. Mr. Beiasco has es-
sembicd a distinguished company that
includes such prominent players as
Hubert bruce. Joseph Herbert, Sidney
Tolcr, Rowland Blackstone, John L..
shine. John Roche. Edmund Quincy,
81. Clair bayfield,, Bernard A. Rein"Id,
Morgan Farley, Elsie Aackay, Rose
Coghlan. Margot Kelly. Helen Reimer
and others.
The play las been produced under
the personal supervision Of Mr.. Be-
lascn who Viz be here for the entire
engagement.
In this comedy Mr.. Atwiil is afford
cd the opportunity of impersonating
the famous French pantomimic actor
who lifted his work to the level Of an
art.
Deburau was born in 1896, the son
of AN old soldier. who started circus
which played all over Europe, made
up or his own family. He was the
youngest OF large family, all OF
whom were acrobats and equilibrists.
The boy, Deburau, WAS not quick To
learn and was the butt OF everything.
His principal mission with his family
vas TO top their pyramids when they
performed their tricks. but ne never
look much interest in his work,
The family was great favorite on
the continent and In Turkey and while
performing in the latter country one
day in the Sultan's palace, Deburau,
standing at the top of the family pyra-
mid. was enabled To look over into
the private court OF the Sultan's wives.
He was struck with the beauty Of 50
many fair women and decided that
life was not such dull proposition
after all.
In 1871 tho family came to Paris
and soon after Dehurau broke away
and left them. \ short time later he
opened as u PietrOt in thcatcr in
Paris and rose to great fame.
Following this, Deburau went into
vaudeville in 1882 at the Palais Royal
in a one-act play, which was failure.
This resulted in his return to the old
theater, where no was welcomed back
With q remarkable tribute.
In his pantomimic work. Dcburau
expressed the emotions of life by the
simplest methods and did as much FOR
pantonime as GarricR did for the
drama. Here he continued with great
success until he died at the age OF
atty in 1916
Deburau had n son, Charles, born
i'm 1929. who followed in his fathers
footsteps, but lacked much OF his
fathers skill and never attained the
great measure OF success enjoyed by
him