The New York herald., 1921-04-13
AngIin as Joan
Gives Performance
of Distinction
Opens Regular Engagement at
the Shubert With 'The Trial
of Joan Of Arc.'

Miss Margaret Angiin presented last
night at the Shubert Theatre "Thc
Trial OF Joan OF Arc" which she re-
veaied philanthropically on Easter sun
day at the Century Theatre. Moreau's
play was not new here. where Miss
Anglin presented II 50 successfully for
charity as to place Il inevitably in
regular bill. Sarah Bernhard acted the
piece In Paris as a literal transcript
from the records OF the trial of the
Maid OF Orleans. and subsequently per-
formed II at the Globe Theatre here.
Later she was seen in the second act in
vaudeville.
The play Is most attractively pre-
scented and last nights audience fol-
lowed Its progress with steadily increas-
ing interest Miss Anglin's personal
performance L. OF high artistic distinc-
tion. With the utmost simplicity she de-
picts the confused szIfferings Of the girl
surrounded on all sides by implacabie
OF fatuous enemies. Religion is placed
In Moreau's sketch of the character be-
yond patriotism. Miss Anglin paints
this faith with an exaltation that keeps
the maid half saint half peasant through
out the cruel nartyrdom IN which
the acts reveal her. Her simplicity OF
method strengthens the eloquence Of her
acting. The apparent freedom from arti-
flee In her playing multiplies the pa
thos OF her appeal to the spectators.
Her performance is not only thrilling in
Its occasional dramatic outbursts. 1t
possesses throughout the priceless quail
ity Of beauty.
The Method of MOreau.
Moreau's method. whether he drew
the dialogue from the old records or not
Is the familiar method OF the historical
Llay. But 1t has produced effective
scenes, some of them without the CO.
operation of the heroine. Thus through
out the first act, which passes in the
castle OF Philippe Auguste, there is the
rd-ct-pient of the clerics. the nobility.
the high soldery. preparing the way
for the preservation OF their own in
terests and the trial. or. II II be neces-
sary. the sacrifice OF the maid. The
scene with It's color and movement makes
picturesque introduction to the terror
of the little king and his signing of the
warrant OF the imprisoned Joan.
The rest OF the drama-there are four
acts-passes in the castle and in a room
OF the town hall opposite the square In
which tho execution takes place. In the
second act there is the inquisition of the
maid by her Judges then in her dungeon.
her final confusion and condemnation by
the powers that desire her death. The
last act shows the watchers. finally
driven away by remorse and terror from
the windows through which the smoke
from her pyre sweeps over the stage.
The Trial of Joan" Is not without its
beauty and stately pageantry. but its
horrors are also potent. The climax OF
terror Is reached when the little king.
overcome by the knowledge OF the wom-
ans murder. is by Warwick carried In
delirium from the sight and sound OF
the tragedy.
Scenfcally Impressive.
The general representation was ade-
quate. The scenery. picturesquely I'M
pressiye, Is the work OF Ernest de
Weerth. Colors blend harmoniously In
the draperies of the dignitaries. The
scarlet skirt of Cardinal Winchester
1ortentously embodied by Francis
Powers, contrnsted with the episcopal
purple OF the conscience stricken Bishop
Cdachon. alive In the imposing person
OF Albert Gran. Fred Eric made Bed
ford a haunting study of a mind dis
eased and more than that decidedly
striking and picturesque figure among
the characters OF the play. He held the
eye throughout the first act in his long
black and gold draperles as none Of the
other players.
Miss Katherine Roberts played the
little king with the unaffected simplicity
of child and Miss Barney's agonized
solicitude as his mother accentuated the
pathetic isolation OF the king. Ralph
Roeder. Howard Kyle and Charles Web
ster ad ded to the effectiveness of the
performance in accordance with tneir
opportunities. Henry Hull, who learned
the roles In a few hours yesterday as
an accommodation to his slster-in-law.
Miss Anglin, gave an admirably pic
turesque performance OF WGrpick
The Joan OF Arc Society OF New York
has awarded to Miss Anglin its gold
medal. Its highest honor. in recognition
OF her production Of the play.