The Washington times., 1929-12-03


a second award of merit.
The Norman MacOwan drama
enjoyed considerable success
in England and was the object
of spirited bidding for the Amer
lean rights. Leslie Banks, a di-
rector of eminence in England
and an actor with abundant tai
ent, staged the play and shares
with Helen Menken the his
trionic honorS of an exacting
three acts. The playwright
also steps on the stage to enact
the role of DR.. RalSton.
THE Infinite Shoeblack" is
fundamentally a story OF an ad-
venture in regeneration. 1t is
predicated upon the Thomas
Carlyle philosophy that mans
unhappiness comes of his great
ness because there Is an infinite
in him which with all his cum
ming he cannot bury under the
finite. 1t is the conflict Of
the body and the material life
with the soul and the uplifting
spirit which elevates mankind.
Whether the enobling influence
Of the rugged honesty and
sturdy character of a straight
laced Scotch Presbyterian can
transform a courteSan with the
heart and the yearnings of a
harlot into a contented mother.
This sounds in the telling
much like a brief journey into
the deep seas of culture and yet
here is simple drama. 1t is a
tender and a beautiful piece Of
playwriting that contains an
overpowering love theme which
will hold tie unwavering atten.
ton of the average audience.
Love comes into the dingy
garnet of Andrew Berwick in
Edinburgh. He is a grumpy
and hard-Shelled Scotchman
with a genius for logarithms
and higher mathematics about
to pass his examinations and
become a public actuary. On
the doorsteps Of this hoyel,
Mary, a girl of flexible morals,
faintS from fatigue and illness.
Andrew brings her in and un-
selfiShly gives her shelter.
When he learns from the
doctor that her life depends
upon a speedy departure to a
warmer climate he practices
his first deceit with himself to
raise the money. Then comes
the war. Andrew loses an arm
in the strife and two years
later is in Cairo. Mary has re-
covered her health, has come
into fortune and is living a gay
life with the solidery. There
is a reunion. Andrew calls
upon Mary to renounce her
wealth, the pleasures Of the
flesh and become the honest
wife Of a poor Scotchman.
She makes what to her is the
tremendous sacrifice. There
after the scene shifts back to
the Berwick domicile in Edin-
burgh and the final depressing
chapter in an unsuccessful
philosophical experiment.
To confess q frank dislike
for the curt and flint-like
Andrew in the first impress
which gradually evolved into a
surprising admiration for a
Splendidly wrought character
ization is the strongest tribute
I can pay to the superlative
performance of Mr.. Leslie
Banks. The towering qualities
of the man Just crept into your
heart through what think was
the substantial art Of one 81
England's best actors.
In the pale-faced neurasthe-
mic Mary, Helen Menken is pro-
vided a role with two command
ing opportunities-the renuncia-
ton finale Of the second act
and the powerfully pathetic
scene upon which the curtain
falls, the end of the adventure.
In both of these treasured in
terludes the finished skill OF
the actress was magnificently
evident - emotional contribu-
tionS Of solid merit. OF the
supporting cast Theodore st.
John, Norman MacOwan, Essex
Dane. Molly Mcintyre and Fran
ces Ross Campbell proved highly
copmetent.
THE Infinite Shoeblack" is
excellently mounted and di-
rected and can be cordially COM
mended as a substantial and
satisfying evening for the play
goer. It marks the last per
Torrance Of the regular legi-
innate season-and perhaps the
ultimate good-by to drama-for
the Belasco Theater.