The Washington times., 1921-04-26
Mantell Gives Bulwer-Lytton
Drama at National-San
Carlo Organization Sings
Puccini Opera at Polls.

Lytton, was presented at the Ma
tional last night by Robert Mantei!.
THE CAST:
Cardinal Richeiieu Robert b. Mantcil
CASTOR, Duke OF Orleans. "A. c. Henderson
0aradas' the Royal Favorite.
De Berinshen. an attendant on the
Adrian De M:upr.t william nnr" P s3tI1Ms,
Husuet. spy in Richelieu's service.
Vaughan Deerlns
Sr1 psni. GsPo9hin: -. Henry Buoklsr
Louis Kin '''.'' pa Frankiin sa hinSTy
4 Captain OF Guard. ....4". Roy sa ciifiord
Pages to Richeieu. Miss Theresa Colburn
and Miss Violet Howard.
Slemont, a courtier .......... Leo Leonaf
sse na,ty ''..'.'.'''....'''' Guy Hawks
Marion de Lorme. . Spy Of Richeiieu,
Julie De Mortemar Miss Gsnevieve Hamper
After an absence from Washington
of many months. Robert Il. Mantell
inaugurated last evening at the Ma
tional Theater. what promises to be
from first nights appreciations. a most
successful week of repertoire, pre-
sentinG as his initial offering, Lord
Lytton's Richelieu. This compelling
study Of the lights and shadows of
intrigue, plot and counterpart which
beat around the throne OF the great
and churchly chief minister to Louis
XIII of France, offers splendid
theme to the remarkable powers of
expression and portrayal which Mr..
Mantell possesses to so marked de-
gree.
The lines followed are practically
those OF the Edwin Booth version
except that Mr.. Mantell sets forward
more of the soft and humane char
| acteristics of the French statesman
than did Booth, Forest or Barrett
who portrayed the Cardinals stern
implacable and tyrannous attributes
to the practical exclusion OF any ten
der and human impulses. After the
court scene in Mantelrs rendering OF
Shylock in the Merchant OF Venice
the audience Is left with a telling OF
| sympathy for the poor, old. outwitted
and beaten down Jew. Thus 1t IL
with his Richelieu. The strength and
mastery of the prelate are keenly
| drawn, but Mr.. Mantell reveals in ar
| effective and subtle manner the Kind.
| illness and genial humors OF this .rea,
Flower of France and the Church
Always an earnest and mssterfu,
| translator great dramatic moments
Mr.. Mantell in Rfcnelieu, carries al
times to reaches OF imposing ma Jesty
This Is especially notable in the gar
rible judgment upon those who pot
against the throne of Louis and
against the sway OF the vic.1r of la
Rochelle. The co'nplexi,y and range
OF Mr.. Mantell's powers OF expression
are instanced many times in his SUD
den modulations from the sublime to
the whimsical as exampled by mis-
third act scene with Joseph. Capucht n
vicar to the Cardinal who desires TO
be made bishop.
Miss Genevieve Hamper as Julie de-
Mortemar. ward OF the Cardinal. de-
sired of the King and beloved OF
Adrian, brings to this characteri Eat on
the artful artlessncss and naivette II
n proper maiden of the seventeenth
century. Her charm and beauty aad
effectiveness are undeniable.
The supporting cast Is one OF almost
uniform excellence. This reviewer
desires to offer a word of special COM
mendation for the work of Mr.. Pod
more in the thankless role of de
Beringhen, foppish satellite of the
court. Mr.. Buckler as Joseph and Mr..
Lindsey as Francois leave nothing
to be desired, while Miss Scott carrier
the role of the spy to Richelieu in a
convincing way.
To George Stillwell falls the lead
ing sustaining character OF Adrian
de Mauprat, misguided but honest
and courageous gentleman of France.
His reading of this important char
acter 10, as a whole, acceptable. This
reviewer is of the opinion that il MI.
Stillwell would employ little slower
diction and give himself to a closer
study of the infection due the pas
So ges of this role, these considerations
ould tend to round out HIS really ad-
mirable performance.
Mr.. Mantell presents in Richelieu a
splendid investiture of costuming,
scenic effect. and physical properties.
These are all correct to the period and
the robing OF the Cardinal does not
fail of magnifcence.
Hamlet" will be played this even
ing, with Mr.. Mantell as the Dane and
Miss Hamper as Ophelia.