The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-02-02

bratcd Sicilian actress, Mimi Aguglia.
and Godfrey Tearlo. leading London
actor. who, however, was born in New
FORK Each proved that it REQUIRES
more than histrionic genius to win
success There must also be- a play,
ana in neither instance was the star
"cservedly supplied. Madame AguEln
lrlufnphed as predicted but her tri-
uIhph was the greater because her
play was the poorest of the two. Only
ner lndomttable courage, her transccn-
Ihht genius and powerful personality
nnh $uch success as was achieved.
ne Nhirlwind " made from a com
plex and highly fragmentarv story.
was rich in coloring and poor in merit.
ne producer was John Cort. and with
Madame Aguglia came forth with
Sr'ditapIe achievement. He gave the
Play rich setting, and better stll.
gave Madame Aguglia to the English
'Ptahlng stage. The story concerns
the affairs of Mexican Indian girl
VINO is sought by an American officer
and a Mexican of the popular type.
The American wins the maiden. but
not until she has gone through her
PAGES Il is part whth requires n
hinatton Il all the nAtions known
to the stage. and happily Madame
Aguglia possesses them. 1t is melo-
drama Of an old fashioned style. ana
The critics ala not fancy its quality.
They gave unstinted praise TO the star.
however, who is destined to play i'm
portapt roles on the American stage in
our own language
Carnival Is the play selected by
Mr.. Tearle fer his first appearance on
The | nitcd States stage. He is son
"i noted player of I past generation.
Ostnun Tearlc, who is remcm bered
with affection by playRoers Of twenty
I'VE or thirty years ago The story ia
highly colorful reaching it's climax
when The star, IN the role af a Shakes
pearcan actor playing Otheitn for the
moment realizes the deception of his
wife and seeks 10 strange her in the
famous jealousy. scene between tho
Moor ana DcsderTona The title finds
its Justification in n carnival scene in
Venice when the lady in question per
Ultted' attentions To which she was
Not entitled. The play is not the sort
of vehicle for so talented AN actor as
Mr.. Tearle, who possesses unusual
qualities fer success. His misfortune
was his play and his leading woman
Aargot Kelly who. whatever may be
her qualification for erotic roles Ger
17inly does not inspire one with rev.
rrcnee or respect for Shakespeare If
she be the heroine OF "Othello" If
Mr.. Tearle and Madame Aeuglia So
cure proper PLAYS for the exploitation
Of their respective stage talents. we
will he the gamer. and il Is hoped that
they may he more fortunate in their
next attempt
For the Defense" melodraura
with rccollections OF "On Trial" by
the same clever writer who contributed
this melodrama several years ago. was
one Of the new plays Of the week
Richard Bennett has the principal
role, and il has to do with a hypnotic
charla,an who misuses his mystic art
and thereby brings to grief and shame
many fashionable patients, including
tho sweetheart OF the district attorney,
who by circumstantif.l evidence, APP
pears 10 be the murderer OF the black
mailing fakir. The story is cleared up
by the methods used in "On Trial"
There is little merit to the play, but
II is compelling in interest and has
been cast so we'll that II is obliged 10
win degree OF success. The settings
are novel, the acting intelligent.
The new year will see group Of
new plays of considerable distinction
launched by New York managers
their tenants. The Crimson Alibi."
which has been one OF the effective
melodramas OF the season. has given
way 10 Jane Cows new play. ''Smilin
Through, and the Knickerbocker
theater. which has housed Eddie Leon
ard and musical play called "RoIy
Poly Eyes has been compelled to va
cate in favor of a new musical play
called Angel Face" which has won
success in Boston.
The Theater Parisien, the brightest
spot in the foreign colony. has new
comedy on view. and Il has added to
the gayety of international interest.
This theater, which has a company of
exceptional talent and versatility. is
tn" nearest approach 10 parisien
playhouse America has known.