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Show "THE DARLING OF THE GODS" In view of the fact that the public mind at present is occupied with the subject of the war between Japan and Russia, it seems peculiarly appropriate for the local public to have an opportunity oppor-tunity to witness the first and the only original drama dealing with Japanese life, which has been presented on the American stage. This is "The Darling of the Gods." by David Belasco. the wizard of stagecraft, and John Luther Long, tho distinguished Philadelphia writer . The engagement at the Grand theater beginning Monday night Is only 1 " for three nights, and a matinee "Wednesday, "Wednes-day, at which Miss Bates will play a double bill consisting of "Madame Butterfly," But-terfly," the forerunner of Japanese pieces in this country, by David Belasco and John Luther Long, and "My Aunt's Advice." a. comedietta written by Miss Blanche Bates and George Arties. The star of the production is Miss Blanche Bates, who in the role of the Princess Yo-San. Is said to depict the virginal, coquettish, unspoiled and blithe nature of a Japanese woman, with unflagging un-flagging and gracious art. The play was seen for two seasons at the Belasco theater. New York, and was accorded a run of 145 performances at St. Louis, where it was one of the features of the World's fair season. - On the night after its metropolitan premiere "The Darling of the Gods' proved a drain upon the vocabulary of the critics; one writer said that "it required re-quired the musical and melancholy prose of Pierre Lotl. or the delicately discriminative phrasing of the expatriated expa-triated Lafcadlo Hearne to fully express the delights afforded the eye, the ear and the mind, through the sensuous feast which Mr. Belasco and Mr. Long have spread before the public In this production." The story of the play concerns the edict which the Emperor of Japan issued is-sued in 1871 against the Samurai, or the two-sword men, commanding them to give up their swords. Forty of the Samurai, Sa-murai, to whom the surrender of their swords meant the surrender of their honor, defied the decree. Outlawed, their numbers were finally "reduced to ten. and these brave fellows, led by Prince Kara, fought for the old-time honor and liberty of Japan. The play of course is full of dramatic situations which Mr. Belasco has arranged ar-ranged In his usual brilliant manner. It is said that some of the scenes almost dull the eye with their splendor and drug the senses with their blending of hue and tone; yea, even the nostrils at times are assailed by the drowsy odors of incense burned to the old barbaric gods. The sale of seats for "The Darling of the Gods" engagement begins Friday, December 9, at the Grand theater. During Dur-ing this engagement all mall orders for seats must be accompanied by checks. |