The Washington herald., 1922-11-28
By EARLE DORSEY.

TN Eesenting Fay Banter in
THE Painted Lady" the new
Il drama by Monckton Hoffe,
the hrrick this week presents a
phenomenon Of the theater. II
presents a play Of the utmost
technical distinction, a play that
fairly wallows in the finest OF
theater treatment yet a play that
remains at the end. curious, de-
tached fantasy. a play for the in
tellecJ, not for the emotions.
Under such circumstances, Bal
timore's public and critical dislike
of it becomes more understand
able. as does the rumored decision
of William Harris, jr.. to with
draw the play and have it re-
written. 1t is manifest that THE
Painted Lady" if she Is ever to
achieve fame, must be endowed
with a more robust, more emo
tional vitality than the author has
given here now. though II must be
asserted. and asserted again. that
"The Painted Lady" marks Monck-
ton Hoffe as theater writer OF
the first rank as also il marks
Fay BANTER as an actress Of real
distinction.
Personally. / cannot commend
the play to the casual theater-
goes. 1t is essential a play for
the theater habitue. the spectator
Of sophisticated. epicurean taste,
who cares more for manner than
for storytelling in the theater and
who remains content with techni-
que and cares but little for emo
tional reaction.
Aobut an incident of the most
trivial character. Hoffe has writ
ten a brilliant. thoughtful drama.
1t is a drama strongly tinctured
with underlying satire but one
which plumbs strange depths OF
feeling. despite its atmosphere OF
detachment. About the story of
the sale Of a painting he has
built up the love story of a young
painter and a daughter f the
circus. a story that encompasses
some of the most splendid act
ing. directing and writing of the
season as well as story that
points. with a touch possibly too
ephemeral. a moral for those who
care TO read it.
A captain of industry has pre-
sented a painting to a church.
The art is manifestly genuine
an old master. The donors self
importance and esteem are pro-
found and the presentation scene
itself is a triumph of characteri-
zatiOn.
Next, we are pumped into a
circus scene and the love story
of young artist and girl
bareback rider. At the height
of their happiness. a father in
tervenes and the girl is persuaded
to send away her lover. but not
before he has painted and sold
painting of her that carries his
soul with it.
1t is this same painting that
turns up later to be the one that
hangs in a church. the gift of
the captain of industry. Its au-
thentiCity is called into qcestion
BY the counterfeiter who tricked
the capitalists Though it is the
girl who definitely proves its
falsity mad then astOcndingly
suggests its retention. on the the
ory taht having become sainted
by association. its presence is no
longer "A saCrilege.N
A trite story. N cold type. nut
one that can not be properly ac-
credited in the hurried discussion
of a midnight review. Arthur By
ron contributes an enactment that
is permanent in its charm and
force. Fav Banter reveals how
much of an actress was concealed
under the garments Of Ming Toy.
The cast. en- bloc, is praised here
with.
a curiOusly fascinating work.
"The Painted Lady" and one
that may become classic, can il
be endowed with life.