Evening star., 1922-09-12
BELksc0-sBanco.",

a boudoir comedy which does not
leave a bad taste even In the mouth
OF the fastidious has been achieved
apparently in "Banco." written
originally in the French by Alfred
Savoir and prepared for the Ameri-
can stage by Glare Hummer. whose
adaptation has much Of the delicate
lingual charm that has contributed
so much to the success of her pre-
vious adventures in modern drama.
The American premiere OF the play.
last evening at the Shu ubert-B Belasco.
gave promise of a substantial asset
TO the budding seasons repertoire for
the metropolis. for the engagement
here is preliminary to an invasion OF
New York.
With the interest contributed by
an unusually capable cast, there is
a combination Of dominating inciden.
tai comedy and a serious study OF
human nature-a contest OF wits
between man and woman. but devel-
oped with an amusing background
which has elements OF novelty ana
constant accompaniment OF ssy Wy
dialogue and humor. with sudden
turns Of conversation and changing
situations that give value to the plot.
Here is an old idea In new but en-
gaging form--intrusion upon . lady
in her sleeping room. this time by
a divorced husband who MAINTAINS
the thought Of q logical right to be
present, instead OF an arrangement
BY the conventional designs OF
family friend.
1t may be said that the comedy rep
resents a rare mixture OF genuine
10 Q
defined and widely varying characters.
II is a treatment Of marriage and d.
yorce which upholds. without the SEM
blance of preaching. the genuineness
Of domestic ties and the proposition
that a suitable marriage may not lientI
sanction Of court decree: that minor
quarrels OF q young couple. based
largely upon the clash Of two strong
personalities. may be considered nesligs-
Bile. Through it all the constant play
Of humor comes upon the observer
Charlotte. wife OF Count Alexandra
de Lussac, is deeply offended because
tho count neglects her to engage N an
eighty-four-hour sitting At oacca5at:
oder ' person ] Of self-een,ess.d psrtee.
ton, decides to win. the young vile
for his own and induces her to obtain
! divorce. which is followed by her
marriage to the baron: Count s;e de
Lussac. sqhered BY The dessstlon o; ms ms
love for her. prepares to attend the
wedding and claim his own. but is too
late for the ceremony. Thereupon he
decides to invade their home and win
back what he has lost. The climax
starts from that point and reaches its
highest development at the final cur
Alfred Lunt, As the count. presents
a person Of striking individuality.
and is just as convincing under the
sway Of deep emotion as in the tam
talking. irresponsible moments which
are essential to the comedy that is
the principal purpose OF the pro-
duction. He is the same person.
whether graspins his wife with in
tensity Of affection or lightly reouR-
ing her efforts to reform him, ana
always displaying the daredevil quail
ties Of one who has won fame as an
ace in the flying forces Of the war.
Miss Lola Fisher. as the wife. inter-
prets that character with fine reali-
zation Of the intention OF that young
person to maintain her rights as 4
wife and to go to extremes. II neees-
sary, in accomplishing that object
She succeeds with notable art in pre-
sentine q purposeful, but naturally
subdued, individuality, while con-
tributing with charm to the comedy
element
The srotesque triangle is completed
by the work of Francis Byrne as the
baron. imparting the spirit Of unso-
phisticated enthusiasm to a situation
in which he is . negligible pawn OF
the game without apparent reAlizA.
ton Of the fact.
Uniform excellence is observed In
the remainder Of the cast Miss Char
lotte Granville, as the rnasterfut and
sensible mother of the baron, is ec-
| tartaining: Miss Alice John. as Char
| lotte's maid. gives real character te
! what in other hands might be con.
| ventional: Robert Strange. as Georges
Dalou. friend Of the count. reveals
personality. and ]. Malcolm Dunn. as
commissioner OF police: Edward G.
Robinson. as Louis. page at the Ca.
sino, and Hall Higley. as the porter
are adequate in their roles.
"Banco" is a comedy that plunges
into its chief situation from the very
beginning. and has an interest which
rarely flags.
B. F, NITH'S-Adelaide and