Evening star., 1922-04-04
NAT10NAL-"eThe Grand Duke. y

David BelaSco'S latest production for
his starNof "Deburau," Lionel Atwill.
Partisan comedy, 1.-THE Grand Duke"
by Sacha Guitry, adapted to the Eng
llsh speaking stage by -Achmed Abdul
ian, was presented at the National
Theater last night in the first per-
formaqce Of it's closing week of the
season. Leaving here 1t will be taken
to New York, where it will be with
held until the time is propitious for
its presentation in Chicago and other
| big cities.
Time was when Mr.. Belasco usually
honoreds Washington with the first
glimpse of his new productions, and
he used to say the Washington ver-
dict was mascot. But times change.
washington, however. has not lost
! very, great deal in the postponement
Duke here, although the large audi
ence that witnessed 1t last evening
seemed greatly amused with it. and
there was here and there unmistak-
tested In the applause.
The Grand Duke" is highly sea-
soned Entertainment. unusually rich
In predicaments, but dainty in disclos-
to be rather setting for an unusual
ly forceful characterization than a
play. Mr.. Atwills finished art is al
ways In evidence, although the un-
with Russian grand dukes is so limit
ed that those who have not had the
privilege OF contact with them are at
loss to determine how well or how
Mile. Martinez, another important
character. to which Lima Aharbanell
brings wealth Of delightful talents.
also Is not sufficiently familiar to
American life to appear more than a
storybo9k o ",d creation. sion inst as so is the
actor John L. Shine. There is also
very effusive and utterly Impossible
young man, Michel Alexis. un-
acknowledged son of the grand duke,
who may be indigenous to France.
but who would have difficult shedding
in prosaic America. These, with a
sophisticated but nevertheless ex-
quisite girl. Marie Vermillion, COM
plete the important figures in the
play.
There are three acts. the first laid
in NJ. Vermiliion's salon; the second
| in the studio of Michel Alexis, and
| the third in the grand dukes suite
in a Paris hotel. In this last act
fast M never to be forgotten: It is
| unique, interminable. During this
breakfast the play is brought to a
close. under the supervision and
direction of the grand duke, who
| marries off Marie to Michel Alexis
! and the latter's mother to the funny
| old man. Vermillion. The curtain
| falls for the last time with the grand
duke resuming his breakfast.
Three incidents stand out In the
performance, when Mile Martinez
a former fame of the grand duke.
now Marie's musis teacher faints.
and the grand duke has to hold her
until the smelling salts are obtained;
| the physical culture lesson In Michers
studio, when Marie slips on the paral-
lei bars and Michel, overcome with
emotion, kisses her behind the right
ear. and a scene in which Mile. Mar
tinet vainly seeks to win back the
favor of her former lover, the grand
duke, by the exercise Of the arts
known to ladies' of her class
Whether the role of the grand
duke as played by Mr.. Atwill carries
a feminine appeal 1t would not be
fair for mere men to say: but there
is little doubt of the charm to mas
culinity of the creation Of Marie as
presented by Miss Vivian Tobin. who
is not unlikely to be confounded
| with her sister. Miss Genevieve To-
ban, whom Washington will remem-
Der from Little Old New York"