Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-12-18
"LOYALTIES"

New York. Dee. lS.-MoSt Oh Us
WORE Impressed in our sophomore
rnrsuit of culture by our English pro-
fessor's observation that no book was
worth while until it had held its own
for ten years. -, A..
Some plays have weathered me
storms OF as many centuries, put inc
fate of a drama is measured oIseh DE
as many hours, or al least, by as
mary days. -.
When a play settles down quietly
without g great fanfare OF puolic.tF'
masses the tenth week, and works the
{. r. o. sign so hard that one expects
. new order for the tenth month, 1t
means that decidedly worth-whiie
drama has reaped it's reward OF intel
ligent appreciation.
This is what has happened w4tn
'Lovalties" the drama by John Bias
worthy, which Charles DILLINGHAM; lirst
presented at the Gaiety in September.
Of course. "I.oyalties" was a great
London hit, but that really didn't as
sure IL a New York success. The
he,ae of the playa racial one, deal
inc with the Jew and the Gentile-has
often failed even in expert hands.
But rarely q would say never-lt my
knowledge fracial literature were
criticism-proof) has play. or book
for that matter, been written wGere
the attitude of mind of Gentle so
cietv" toward the Jew and vice versa
has been so justly, so clearly, SO adroit-
~ given. -.
Throughout the entire action OF this
drama of three acts Glasworthy has
proved his Jew officially and morally
RIGHT in every step of the way. And
vet he has not given him sympathy.
He has in his rare skill Of giving both
sides of story made his audience
fairly tense with fear lest the jew,
through that intangible mental atti-
tude sometimes Incorporated IN
"pentleman's code" be deprived OF
proving himself right.
To me this point is one OF the most
subtle presentation of a condition that
has ever been put over" dramatical-
ly.
GlaSworthy has given with photo
graphic realism the attempt OF
wealthy Jew of culture to mingle IN the
best clubs, to get into English society.
His demand TO have money, stolen at
a house party restored, and his volc-
ing, his well founded suspicion as to
who stole the money, bans hum as no
gentleman. He consents to keep silent
under the suggestion that he cannot
make a certain desirable club. But
when he is blackliSted. he speaks.
Captain Dancy. the accused gentle
man." is forced BY his indignant
friends to bring court action for de
famation. And when Dancy's guilt
Nv proved-evCn before the verdict
and a warrant is about to be issued,
De Lewis, the Jew, announces that he
is through wit hthe whole affair, he
desires neither prosecution nor the
money. no merely wanted to prove
himself right
Naturally bad acting could minimize
the psychology Of GalSworthy in this
racial drama, especially in De Lewis,
but it could never completely destroy
it. As it is, the excellent acting Of
James Dale as the wealthy Jew OF
culture. contemptuouS of the distinc-
tions of the English gentlemen. yet
smartipg beneath their contempt
brings conviction. Charles Quarer-
maine as Captain Dancy is also ex-
cellent.
Tense. dramatic. thoroughly Gals
WORKMAN in its sense of justice. its
fair minded injury into things as
they are" Loyalties is one or the most
thought producing and gripping plays
of the year.