Evening star., 1923-06-26
ADJUSTMENTS
P0LI'S-"The Breaking Point"

Producers of stage novelties have
sometimes suggested that if one of
the cld-time melodranas could be
provided with an all-star cast and
produced with all the accessories of
really skillful direction it would be
an instantaneous success. Regular
theatergoers have never wholly
abandoned this idea, and when, from
is adopted for a new play and
capable company of players is as
sembled for it the production is as
sured friendly hearing
Mary Roberts Rinehart's stage YER
sion of her book, The Breaking
Point" which had its premiere last
evening at Polls. may be said to be
dependent for it's interest upon the
cleverneSS of the lines. in the writing
of which Mrs. Rinehart has sustained
her previous reputation, and upon
the quality of the acting, which is
worthy of note throughout. Some of
the Subtlety of the book has been
sacrificed to the necessity for action
and there is d question whether or
not the plot is as we'll fitted for the
drama as It was for the printed
volume.
The great play must have . sheme
which in its greater moments grips
the audience. In this instance the
chief element of the original story is
the singular experience of a man who
has committed capital crime, has
passed through a crisis. suffered from
amnesia and, in a new environment,
has l'srsone dsYiefl9ped an entirely different
into the old life and there is a men
tai battle between the old and the
new. These circumstances, however.
are not essential to the stage plot,
mt rather are SuperimpoSed upon a
series of incidents which are purely
meiodramatic. In its place as drama
therefore. THE Breaking Point" must
be judged regardless of the introduce
tion of psychoanalysis
To its credit it may be said that
IL Is wholesome and free from sug-
ssstlNeness OF numerous up-to-date
ooHerlhgs. 1t has striking climax
IN the re-enactment in vivid form of
the original crime. Familiar human
characters. virtuous and otherwise.
influence the lives of two persons
whose. ultimate happiness must he
achieved. East and west are brought
into contrast, giving variety to the
setting.
The condensation from the original
book has had the effect in some in
stances. of Offering in rapid review
succession of effective punches.
series of perfect pictures is presented
IN winch characters and events fall
into place easily and plausibly. with
tragic, sentimental or comic effect
An original love scene is shown The
village. gossip takes on a new and
attractive form.
The opening of THE Breaking
Point was distinctly a Mary Roberts
Rinehart evening. The author occu-
pied proscenium box and was the
recipient of much attention. includ-.
ing beautiful floral tributes and en-
thusiastic applause from a crowded
house. while q modest speech from
the stage at the close of the second
act brought her still more closely in
touch with admiring friends
The caCable cast deserves unuual-
flied commendation for it's individual
and collective record in this play
Less striking than some of the others
but more eXacting, was the work of.
Mckay Norris, as DIR. Dick The
transition from the respectable viii
1age physician to the rough ranch
man was presented without exag-
geration, and great demands were
made upon him in the unusual episode
of the man, who lin agony over the
death of a friend, weeps aloud He
was successful in meeting these re-
Gurements as well as in displaying
howild' "ment when the uncertainty
of his past was impressed upon him
Eegina Wallace. as Elizabeth, was a fine
example of versatility. attractive in
lighter scenes, forceful in emotion
intelligent in expression and DOS
Sessed of reserve power.
Among the impressive roles were
those of John DOYLE. as DIR. David
devoted friend of the young doctor
and stephen Maley as Bill. an un-
varying, bluff character of the west
Jane Houston. as Beverly the actress
was conventional. but always true
TO the character of the plotter. Lu-
cflle Sears, as Clare, gossiped with
fine discrimination. John Morrisey
as the sheriff, may be credited with
the ability to combine with conven-
tional duties an unusual display of
character. Robert Barratt. as Bas-
sett the newspaper reporter, follows