Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-12-09
W|NWOOD
IN THE RED POPPY
Current Partisan Success Has
Impressive Production on
Playhouse Stage.

Wilmington playgoers received with
much enthusiasm last night, in ad-
vance of It's New York opening. n ro-
mantle melodrama that seems destined
to repeat there the success which Il
has had in Paris. where II has scored
a long run. Written by Andre Picard.
the author of "Kiki." II Is an excellent
piece Of stagecraft. OF the purely
theatrical type. and was exceedingly
well done by Estelle WILDWOOD and her
supporting company. It's title, THE
Red Poppy" derives from an under
world resort of that name in tho Paris
OF today, in which the second act
passes.
Claire. the heroine has been shown
in the first act as the lawful chatelaine
of a princely home in the French
capital. hostess TO a group of friends
TO whom a summing party TO the re-
sort is proposed by one OF them. The
plan IN adopted, largely through the
curiosity aroused by the description of
one of the frequenters. seen on a re-
cent visit. as a striking counterpart of
Claire herself. d,
or course. IL really was Claire. who
had been born into that life. and was
unable 10 resist the impulse 10 breathe
its atmosphere over again for a brief
but fateful moment. for IL brought her
in contact with the" man.
! The husbands absence gives the OPP
portunity for a repetition OF the visit,
on the very evening when the SUM
ming party makes its unwelcome ap-
ipearance. and she takes the lead In
calling them down" for their intru.
sion.
The decks being cleared by their dis
appearance, followed by the "regu.
lars ensues a volcanic love scene, In
veritable Valentino style. between her.
self and her new found affinity. ter.
minated by n brawl in which ne de
tends her against the attack Of I
gang wishful TO harm her, an,
promises TO visit her next day.
. The third and final act covers thii
visit. Fernando. for 80 he is called
is astonished 10 find her n fine lady
instead OF the lady's maid he had as
eumed her 10 be and renounces hi
passion. Discovered by the secretar,
OF the princely husband, he commit
the tactical error Of leaving his pisto
where the said secretary can use
10 end his career for him and brlnl
down the curtain.
Miss Winwood gave fitting.
somewhat conventional. pressntatio
OF the leading role. She was stater
as the Princess. be,Oming animate,
" however, when the chance for In
, second ecsrapade becomes assured Z
the extent OF starting at once Z
- change her gown and stockings. whic
$ tableau closes the first act. This moo
= continued through the second act. An
e was merged with the other IN the ,h.r
{ act Her gowns were rich and taste
. ful.
Y As Lane, the ingenious youn
$ woman. who courted an experience ,
A caVe-man tactics, Betty Roas Clark
e gave a very vivid portrayal aion
g unhackneyed lines.
Be.a Lugosi, ss Fernando. ~
= fiery lover, acted with vigor and in
teiligence. A slight accent mars m
effectiveness OF his delivery.
The cabaret scene is staged VIII
r much hdeliiy 10 the Apache tradition
the part Of the patron being pa-tic,
iarly notable.
- Conflict Of interests and emotion
= IS present in sufficient quantities
/, keep the movement brisk. with b,
:, few drops.
4 matinee this afternoon and a De
p, torrance tonight viii be given ar
- should be well patron.zed