Evening star., 1926-10-26
NATIONAL-"Young WOodley."

1t is the upward climb from the
valley of compromising love rather
than the descent that furnishes the
tense moments in Young Woodley."
For that reason the emotions that
come to the surface appeal to a higher
quality of appreciation than would
those which ordinarily accompany a
story of domestic tragedy. Glenn
Hunters play at the National Theater
for the week makes repentance and
atonement, ultimate faith and faith
fulness, more striking than missteps
among the pitfalls of life.
1t is not especially important drama.
Rather 1t is an expert assembling of
distinctive characters-and this ap-
pies to all nine members of the cast.
for each has been carefully chosen
from the Infinite variety of humanity
to play it's part in a story which
makes loyalty the supreme thing to
be desired. In contrast to the ordi.
nary play, which traditionallv revea's
a weak character led into the valley
by some purely materialisllc love.
maker, we have here two cropping
souls seeking poetic release from pro-
sale existence. Neither is sure of the
goal to be sought, nor is there evil
dence that there is any poetic release
from the requirements of life. In the
end normal conditions are resumed
for the three leading characters and
the wholesome nature of the final set
tlement is the inspiring feature of
the incident
The finished acting of Glenn Hun
ter, the star; Helen Gahagan and A.
T.. AnSon is the source of an evenings S
satisfaction. Mr.. Hunter adds another
to his stage achievements. His SUI
preme ability in representing a youth
OF cropping idealism, quiet exterior,
but native force, is offered full scope
in this piece, and through his artistry
there is complete understa nding Of the
nature of the character presented
His transition to man of action
rather than a dreamer, after his
offense has been denounced by an out.
ragged husband, is but a phase Of the
capacity which has elevated him to
stardom.
Miss Gahagan possesses mobile
quality which justifies her selection
for role that requires not only the
f1nesse of one who invites the atten.
tons of wavering youth, but also a
vivid exhibition Of devotion to duty,
when the consequences of her folly
are revealed. Especially moving is
her revelation of the form Of emo.
ton which induces a woman to dis
play the chivalry that is usually re.
served for the man-the assumption
of all guilt.
Mr.. AnSOn'S stage record is such as
to give promise at all times of an ar.
resting piece of artistic work Ad-
mlrers of this exponent of the finer
aspects of the stage may feel that in
this play there is for him an excess
of impassioned acting, but on the
whole his work as the injured hus.
band and housemaSter of the school
that is attended by Woodley, the chief
character. is vigorous and satisfying.
There is lively interest in the school
scenes, with plenty of action. Among
the student characters which deserve
attention are Anger, friend and ad
wiser Of Woodley, played with good
taste and convincing tones by Philip
Tonge, and Vining, spirited source of
evil thoughts and dominating charac-
ter in several scenes, played by Philip
Earle. Attention should be given to
the setting of the second act, which is
very beautiful, showing a room in the
home of the housemaster, from the
open terrace doors of which can be
glimpsed the quadrangle with the
school buildings rising on the far side.
The furnishings of the room in the
main give an atmosphere of auster-
ity, in striking contract to which a
divan with it's gay chintZ cover stands
out In bold relief. Ancient ruins are
pictured on the walls, but in the di-
rect background is hung a Mona Lisa
1t is as if the conflicting spirits of
master and mistress of the home both
sought expression in material furnish.
ings.