Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1923-01-27
COMEDIAN BEST
PLAY OF SEASON
: Lionel Atwill Gives Splen-
did Portrayal of Stage
Artistry


SACRIFICES LOVE,
CLINGS TO HIS ART
THE PLAYHoUsE.-Dsvid Beissoo
presents Lionel Atwill in The
Comedian" comedy OF tempera-
ments by Sschs Guitry.
Cast Of Characters
The Comedian. 49,. Lionel Atwill
C.. Maillsrt, a soap manufacturer,
A. P. Kaye
.Jsoaueline, his niece. Elsie Macksy
Lscierc. dramatic author.
Fl. Paul Doucet
Bloch, a theatrical manager.
Albert Gran
Robert, the Comedians secretary.
william Lorenz
a stage Manager Will Hindson
Members Of the Comedians Company
Mounet-Pombls. Joseph Herbert
Antoinette Vivier. Rose Winter
Marguerite simonset Evelyn Gosnen
Narcelle .......... Margaret Denys
Yvette ...........M yra Florian
Henri .......... Jacques de Wolfe
Marie. the Comedians Dresser,
Msquits Dwight
Lucisn. the Comedians Valet.
Harold Seton
stays Hands. Electrieians. Property
Men-Behind the Scenes
Plsygoers Of this city had peer
behind the footllghts last night. At
least it seemed to he only peep
with the beginning Of the first act.
But ere ii had progressed far. Il be-
came apparent that the audience
was being really and truly inflated
into the mysteries or back drops
and the philosophy Of the actor and
address when they are themselves
lack stage
Lionel Atwill who has the lead f.
ing role IN The Comedian" adapt .
ID from the French play by that
name and produced by David Bel
ssco. OBLIGATED in never TO be for
gotten manner in taking the su-
iience into a realm that 10 most ,
laymen is a. deep a mystery as life .
~ the bottom OF the sea. The
Comedian" was presented for the
FIRST time on an American stage at
he Playhouss last night
II was received as no new play
has been received by a Wilmington
audience this season And il de-
served 10 bs; for Il is the outstand-
ing. superior play OF The theatrical
ason IN Wilmington 50 far as the
.onsummate artistry OF its players
is concerned triumph for Mr..
Atwill and the men and women
who assis, him in carrying out Mr..
Reiasco's master mind conception OF
the French story Of the stage. As
sisted Mr.. Atwill" is an expression
that may be used in its truest sense.
for there was scarcely a moment 1
~ he three hours performance last
night that MIR AtwlH as not por-
tfsying his part with all the skill
and hnesse that marks his stage
art.
The cast has been chosen with
unusual care. Among the players
q X. Paul Douce'. who has played
On two previous occasions this sea
son: Albert Gran. who takes the
part OF a theatrical mans ger. and A.
=. Kaye, who is a soap manufac-
turer.
Details are not wanting in any l
of the scenes In the stage scene
following tn. second act the entire
cast is rehearsing a play. with Mr..
Atwill directing from the audience.
i is revelation or a true picture =
n behind the scenes that is replete
with acting IN is trusst sense and
in !ts faithfulness 10 detail.
The Comedian viii no doubt
10 shortened before its New York
showing but there is no doubt OF
the path m success awaiting 81. l.
viii he presented AZ q matinee and
evening performance today.
Mr.. Atvill and Miss Elsie Maoksy.
who has the feminine lead. re-
sponded 70 numbers OF curtain calls
after the stage scene following the
second sct. They finally escorted
Mr.. Belssco to the front. and he
voiced his thanks for the reception. =
The term Comedian" as under q
STOOD In France. and as was an ,
nounced in the program. does not y
necessarily mean a player Of come
dv parts. but In the French version .
N WRVANr " 81 rfAUA VI many RNi - 7 -
Lionel Atwlll indeed proves him
seif a character OF many parts. "
The Comedian" is really a sub !.
la comedy OF the stage with an .
ndinE that is a bit tragic. Perhaps
he most outstanding part OF the :.
ines. aside from the acting. Is the =
,eautiful philosophy Of the Come ,
iisn," which creeps through here =
and there. and his recognition OF :
he rights OF the theatre-going pub =
&c.
The Com edian." who Is wrapped :,
~ in his art. elopes with a girl much
-ounger than himself She is the
matinee idol worshiping wife. J.,
n an emergency she is given a part g,
With her husband in the revival or :.
play. Her acting Is not what it h
night have been-that is the play
rithin the play-neVertheless her IT
iead Is turned. She parts from "The II
Comedian" when he, in a struggle II
,etween his love for her and his II
Ievotion TO his art, refuses 10 let II
Ter play the part any longer. II
The climax comes when he re- II
uses to give in to. her whims 10 N