Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 March 1904 — “THE DARLINGS OF THE GOD’S.” [ARTICLE]

“THE DARLINGS OF THE GOD’S.”

The only important theatrical event in Chicago since the burning of the Iroquois Theatre is the engagement of Miss Blanche Bates in the Japanese play, “The Darling of the Gods,” written by David Belasco and John Luther Long, now going on at the Grand Opera House. “The Darling of the Gods” is the only attraction in Chicago which has been permitted by the City authorities to use its electric lighting paint, that having been found absolutely safe by the City Electrician’s office. At all the other theatres in Chicago the use of arc lights is prohibited, thus making it impossible for the attractions to light the plays prop- j erly. “The Darling of the Gods” : is particularly timely now during j the Russo-Japanese War as the i theme of the play revolves about : the fighting spirit of the Samurai, ! that noble old elan in Japan ; which lived and died for its : swords. Everybody in Chicago is using the opportunity to familiarize him or herself with Japanese customs, ideas and mode of living by witnessing the performance of “The Darling of the Gods.” This is the first Japanese play to be produced in New York, where it ran for two seasons at the Belasco Theatre. It is a story of old Japan, full of peotry, action and sentiment, and the Japanese atmosphere is not rudely dispelled by the introduction of characters in modern dress. The authors are Mr. David Belasco and Mr. John Luther Long, the distinguished literateur. The star of of the organization is Miss Blanche Bates, who in the role of the Princess Yo-San, daughter of the Prince of Tosan, has given to the theatrical world one of the greatest impersonators ever known. The company which will be seen in “The Darling of the Gods” is one of peculiar excellence, including Robert C. Haines, George Arliss, Charles Walcott, Albert Bruning, Mrs. Chas. Walcott, Eleanor Moretti, Ada Lewis, Mrs. F. M. Bates and seventy-five others. The play is in five acts and nine pictures, distributed as follows: “The God of the Mountain;” “A Look into the Garden within the Yashiki of the Prince of Tosan;” “The Great State Hall during the Night of the Feast of the Thousand Welcomes“Karzashi Forks at the Hour of the Ox;” “The Shoji of Yo-San among the Moon-Flowers;” “Behind the Shoji of Yo-San’s Sanctuary;” “The Old Sword Room of the Cabinet of the Minister of War;” “The Meeting Place at the Rained Shrine of the Goddess Kwannon;” “The Red Bamboo Forest;” “The Mountain of Sheide;” “Between the Heavens and the Helli;” and lastly, “The First Celestial Heavens.”