Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-02-01
AMUSEM ENTS
THE Passion Flower"

but is cleared on proof that he was iaI
distant at the time. Who was guilty
This would seem a merely melodra-
matte situation upon which to build a
play demanding Interpretation by sucil
an actress as Nance O'Neil, who. WIN
a company Of exceptional excellence, pre-
scented 1.-THE Passion Flower" last night
for the first time in Washington at the
Shubert-Belasco. after prolonged runs Ill
other cities.
This theme, however, is but the thread
of a tragedy far greater and more sig
nficant than that which marks It's OPEN
ing. Into this remarkable drama Oh
Spanish life, by Jacinto Benavente. are
woven the deepest passions OF spanish
life, the intense reactions OF that stranse
blend of the east and the west dweiiins
in the shadows of the Pyrenees. A step,
fathers unholy love for the daughter OF
his wife is the moving impulse IN the
play. And so skillfully is the drama
developed that despite its logical un.
foldment the climax comes with a purss
of revelation, overwhelming and con-
vincing.
It is distinctly not pleasant" play,
to follow Shaw's broad classification. II
is perhaps to some minds sordio
tragedy. 1t deals with an abnormal SIT,
uation. happily not a commonplace. ana
it is. therefore. not to be accepted as
type of life-but not Impossible. BENG
possible it moves in its course lne1ora-
bly,. Could it end otherwise, may pc
asked? Perhaps in half dozen ways.
But in none more true to the strange
natures involved.
A problem, then, is offered to those
who see THE Passion Flower" and Whe
regard it rs an exposition OF Spanish
drama, given an English version OF nIsh
literary merit and played with the mn,
ished art of one of the most gnteo
actresses who ever graced the american Ia
stage. And as a problem it will hold the
attention and grip the interest OF all Out
the mere amusement seeker.
Miss O'Neil has never had a role bet
ter suited to her, or one in which she
has to give SO generously OF her
power of convincing Interpretation.
Her mother-love and her love Ior e ner
second husband are in conflict. She
Erieves over the death of her daugh-
ter's affianced. She sorrows with his
parents. She puts Off a haunting
thought that is finally forced upon
her by the gossip from the village,
and as she approaches full realisation
Of the horror that awaits her in the
poisoned the atmosphere in which she
has lived her own pure life, she Gre
ates a personality so vivid that the
stage becomes in every aspect scene
in the very heart of the intense life
of Spain. 1t is no marvel that Miss
O'Neil has won from Spanish COM
mentators on her work in The Pas
sion Flower" the sincere tribute. 1.-The
Spanish theater is deeply indebted to
her.
The company is worthy of Miss O'Nefl
and of this remarkable play. Alfred
Hickman as Esteban. the husband. has
q most difficult role. in which he is. as
nique, and his work in the final act is a
fitting balance to that Of Raimunda. the
wife. To Annette Westbay is given the
intensely unpleasant character of the
daughter for portrayal. The trust is
in which too much stress would be un-
convincing. This young actress has
scored a true balance. with great effect
in the climaxes. Miss Maud Durand is
required to develop a garrulous servants
part into a sympathetic agent of dis
closure, and her success was marked in
last evenings applause. Harold Hart
sells Rubio. the hired murderer. was
made far less repulsive than the role
would seem certain t. prTy' thai ae s.ys
remain lasting memory with all who
witness the play.
There is no fragrance in Benavente's
Passion Flower" But 1t ~ true.
and played. Il has made is long metro
politan run on its merits, with Nance
O'Neil a. the major factor in It's Ameri-
can success. And the hope arises that an
American dramatist will now provide
her with medium of native art az
worthy Of great powers.
Pearl Regay's Jazz.
B. F. Keith's. this week. offers an
attractive dancing act by Pearl
Regay, who also 10 an unusually good
singer. She offers a taking song be-
fore each dancing number, and in
PRODUCES some acrobatics. the last
number creating something OF a sen.
sation. Miss Regay Is assisted by
capable jazz orchestra and a clever
assistant, Roy sheldon. Many recalls
were demanded.
A farcical sketch. "oh!" by Porter
Emerson Brown. brought much laugh
ter. through the capable interpreta-
ton Of clever lines by Homer B.
Mason and Marguerite Keller. The
incessant.
Others are Pressler and Klaiss in a
singing and musical act that went
over with an enjoyable zip and dash;
Ralph Lohse and Mana Sterling. in
a sensational trapeZe act: Bernard
and Gary. who gained applause for
songs and imitations; Colin OMore,
the Irish tenor: Ed Gallagher and
Joe Rolley, in a black and white face
talking act, scoring a hit, and b.
stocks Circus and Riding School,
which enabled several local young.
sters to make their debut in ridiculous
attemnts to stand on q horses back
The Kilograms and Current Topics
closed the bill.