Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-15

Extremes meet in a remarks bic
manner on the stage OF any theater
1t the present time. Sometimes not
even so much as Sunday holiday
separates terrific crime play from
an intellectual inquiry into motives
or physical impulses which animate
the human race. Scarcely is the
Saturday night performance over
for pistol and poison melodrzma
1.-THE poison in the case of "A Free
Soul" being represented by an over
addiction 10 enthusiastically when
the decks are cleared for the Mon
day opening OF The Silver Cord"
In this case there was at least the
full days brain respite Tor habi,uai
patrons.
4 neat turn OF novelty was
achieved by the Theater Guild in
resoluteiy adopting the Sign OF the
Highbrow as its trade mark. The
purse OF one with the lofty forehead
Is as good Is that OF any one ii If
can be persuaded TO yield share OF
its contents. There are always
enough people who desire to see a
serious work wei expressed to sup
ply clientele, provided the nigh
brow guarantee can be announced as
absolutely good.
The Silver Cord" makes at the
outset demonstration OF lofty lit
erary association as il selects for
title phrase from the often-quoted
passage IN EccIesiastes. The dialogue
goes no further in the direction sug-
gested by the plays name. IL al
fcmpts no poetic phrzsing OF archaic
dignity OF style. II leaps directly into
the whirlwini OF the present men-
raj agitation. selecting an cxagger-
ated affection between mother and
son IS the point On which research
IS concentrated.
The mother in this case represents
the woman memorable. The type
was mildly anticipated by "Crsig's
Vile" in which Chrystai Herne por-
frsyed the mistress OF q home as a
woman whose will must be supreme.
regardless ot the suHerings Of those
who loved. IN utilizing themes .ery
Conspicuous ~ current discussion.
with the employment of no afectz-
ton q speech and z recognition OF
the high place accorded women in
educational matters. II requires no
Stretching of sppYeciztiye eonkiter-
anon ~ designate ~ by phrase
f"fy seldom deserYed. "a modern
n3s ;erpsece.'
Cfc Of tie tests 81 dramatic form
j. tie xDli,ty 10 tell a tease story
w''a small cas',
1h'. aiso helps little IN The mat
'tF VI expense ior trans ortAtieu.
II rc4cifcs Only ialf-do peo.
pie 10 play The Silver Cord" and
"il' u iAtse VAS only housenaid
WIN little 10 d. with the thrills
srts'n2 through the action Iwo
hpiss ~ !ose with Two women and
~" mother determined ~ any hAl.
sf3 - ltcp Der 1oys wifh her. 2its
it2fi breaking picture oi mistzk.
81 motives and . cruelty - scif-de,
rft.ing that u is sble 10 sm.,e -
the very midst ii hun,&B mfechaqe
~" FFsf}rbar 81 tie audiences IL
fhl> piay Is peculiar Many Dfc3l
lm'p @4'ltbie i0teFjeciory eommen.
sSomf are moved TO supprc.se
gfnshs NJ dissppfDysl 10 scenes wher.
The young man dis@pponfs lie p.us
romantic love III chiysiry by turn
~. 'f>D. he s'8@etileart =, iaIl .om
~'tGy under the sinister ,nfiuenc.
~ tie mother Ibere is laughter
'"o "hicA fichers iDtD some u III.
most sef!Dua moments. bui il is IL
ft@hty invited by the mothers dis
pi@y u adroit sophistry IN carryiB;
Out her purpose
There IL nothing more lnterestin;
thar a good vigorous family quarrel
Those That are studied by cage
aossips are only schos in the Dis
ishoe imperfect reflections and Al
iofdng no reliable or valuable in
formation
Lie A onodeus, who 10 smuef
bsDeiactoI. used his ,npish magic /,
make The walls of al Madrid trsms