Evening star., 1927-10-02
Melody and Epigram
Begin the Season
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.

apparently does not try TO SolVe TINS
question for herself. but yields to his
supplications for patience because OF
his one argument, II cannot live
without you"
It is strictly a "woman's" play.
Many a woman will say that she can
produce for exhibition at moment S
notice a man quite the equal of this
one for selhshness and Inconsistency.
1t is not believable that many men
will claim the happiness of associa-
ton with so forbearing wife.
By a curious coincidence each of
two husbands in dramatic evidence
this week represents the philosophi-
cal sentiment capable of loyal per-
sistence regardless of embarrassing
incidents brought to his attention
with reference to a lady's past.
In "Arizona," which has been re-
suscitated TO provide a plot for
Bonita" the colonel's forgiveness
of his not quite, but almost "rec-
reant" wife was critically regarded
as a dead center in the mechanism
which no amount of oiling of the
imagination could bring into smooth
action. The general opinion was
that the lady in the case had os-
tracized herself by her conduct be-
yond possible forgiveness. or hope of
an invitation to the next strawberry
festival or croquet tournament. Such
were the morals of the day.
And in Interference the knowl-
edge of Sir John Marley that he has
been anticipated years before in the
affections of woman he loves does
not prevent a mutual devotion ca
pable of the most heroic sacrifices.
Bonita" is performance designed
evidently to be played as favorite
with big backing. The gorgeous
stage embellishments sufficient to
hold its own in comparison with
any of the large musical productions
make it as nearly sure thing" as
purse and far-sighted management
could prepare Yet there come the
consideration of words and music
even in spectacular creation. The
plot is either not in evidence at all
or else it overwhelms.
At any rate, Washington had an
opportunity to see Bonita" before it
breaks into the realms where. in an
other week or two. it will either be
commanding 20 or 80 dollars seat
or else making preparations to ex-
pire like the Phoenix amid the smoke
of burning money: to be reincar-
mated in some still more gorgeous
form from the scattered ashes by
the possessor of a new and liberal
purse.
One hundred and twenty-five per-
sons on the stage called attention
to the unrestricted resources avail
able. When ARIZONA" was regarded
as regular play. musical manager
who could display II chorus girls and
male quartet was regarded as
having about all the equipment he
could possibly need.
The presentation of Interference"
the three-act mystery play, reflects
the fine craftsmanship of Campbell
Gullan, who staged "Pickwick." 1t
is evenly acted and occupies a mid
die ground between spectacular as
sertion and epigrammatic superficial
ity. 1t is all plot; more plot some
times than is actually needed. The
case in point when the lady black
mailer refuses to give up THE Let
ters" Sir John warns her that as a
physician he has great power and
that he will have her dogged night
and day. BY way of illustration he
seizes her arm, presses something
against it; she shrieks "hypodermic +
and it turns out to be only a silver
pencil. 1t is a rather fascinating
divergence of tory-making. but is
allowed to drop suddenly and is never
given a. chance to bounce back into
attention. The polish of Mr.. Mont
ner in the role of Sir John Marley
is remarkable and cannot be removed
even by submitting him to scenes
which introduce many hackneyed de-
vices to create what is expected to
be a weird expression of the world
which concentrates on leading the
! pace that kills.
| II
Phoebe Foster, a woman of ex-
traordinary beauty and poise, helps
to make the going easier for COM
plicated plot. One of the most re-
markabje Characterization in Inter