Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1922-03-10
CHARLES S. G|LP|N IN
EMPEROR JONES"
Work OF Eugene O'NeilI Holds
Audience Fascinated Under
Its Spell.

The presentation at Tho Playhouse
last night OF "The Emperor JONES'"
with Charles Gilpin In the chief part,
was noteworthy as introducing to local
playgoers the craft OF Eugene O'Neill.
who bids fair TO assume first place
among living American dramatists.
The play presents n study OF the
elemental emotion OF fear. which is
treated with power that creates its
own atmosphere. The fact that this
atmosphere envelopes tho audience as
an entity, swaying II In accordance
with the purpose OF the dramatist,
shows that his qualities derive from
the universal and fundamental sources,
and are not mere surface glitter.
Although the scene IL laid among
blacke. and the chief character Is a
Negro. II Is not a Negro play In the
sense that Uncle Toms Cabin IL n
Negro book. AS "A study OF cfar and a
self accusing conscience It might have
been cast among the ancient Hebrews
or the old Greeks, or even our aborgi-
nal Indians. and lts scenes would be
IA strong, It's tendency ne obvious.
Making use Of material at hand and
familiar. however. and capable OF pic
turesque treatment, the choice of the
Negro setting makes Il comprehensive
and interesting To us. document OF
today.
Likewise IL Is 10 be noted that Il is
not intended M entertainment instruc
ton or propaganda Il is a study, I'm
terms and forms OF tho theatre. OF re-
action 10 overwhelming fear. Its pres
ontatiOn entertains. however, by the
penetrating consciousness OF power
and breaches TO everyone's own phras
ing ~ the theme. Thy sin shall find
thee out"
While the role OF tho former Pull
man porter could he carried by an,
competent negro character actor. Il.
assumption by an unusually Compe
tent actor of that race adds 10 IN,
completeness Of the presentation. Tn,
resonant deep voice. the volatile pla,
~ features. and the disarming smiI,
are convincing. as displayed by Gilpin
while his portrayal OF suspicion. con
trolled desire TO do bodily harm to tn,
object of dislike. and attention TO dc
tail in stage business" are rea
achievements in acting.
! The wicrdness Of the stage settings
! framing the recreation by tho fugi
tive's feverish conscience. OF his owl
past. and that OF his race, are startling
and effective az is the never ceasinj
beat OF tho war drums.
| The dramatists laying Of tn,
ground" FOR the development. IN tn
| opening scene, is clever 10 a degre
and provides a complete basis for It
After the final curtain the actor wa
recalled a half dozen times. showing
ample appreciation by the eudienc
OF his work.
The curtain raiser Suppressed De
sires." is an amusing sktt. based oI
the fad OF psycho-analysis, well pre-
scented by Elizabeth Brown. F1orenc
Burnsmore and Cecil Clovelly. who al
so takes we'll the part OF Smither'
the white trader. IN dhe Emperor"
The Provincetown Players show
itself 70 be virile and Efficient or
ganization. full OF promise for the ~
ture OF dramatic art IN this countr,
and the Playhouse management IS {
he congratulated on bringing theI
here.
There VIII be other performance
| tonight and tomorrow night with
matinee Saturday.