“But it is a weird and deeply interesting play in the compactness of the story and in its dramatic rendition. The fabric is so delicate that if it were not staged and played with the utmost care and good taste it might easily fall to pieces.... Mr. Warfield demonstrates afresh the fine, sympathetic quality of his acting. This

Photograph by Charlotte Fairchild. Belasco’s Collection.

INA CLARE AS POLLY SHANNON, IN “POLLY WITH A PAST”

rôle is absolutely foreign to anything else he has ever done, and by the power of his personality and the care of his delineation he makes the part of the ill-fated sailor throb with sympathy and meaning. In makeup he emphasizes the poetic quality underlying the character.... In staging this play Belasco handles his lights as a great symphony conductor plays with instruments, bending them to his will and making them set the color of the entire play. The three acts are set with marvellous care. An old ship sail acts as the front drop curtain, and throughout the play the atmosphere is almost made to drip with salt water. One act is in a harbor; another, on board the ship of The Flying Dutchman, and the third is a beautiful little delph setting that is like some old picture of Hollandese ware. In the stage effects, such as wind, thunder, and lightning, Belasco can make old devices seem an echo of Nature herself.... The music of the stage is ghostly and haunting....”

“Van Der Decken” was played with the following cast:

Van Der DeckenDavid Warfield.
Nicholas StaatsErnest Stallard.
Mate Jacob Te BeckelWilliam Boag.
Jansoon KolpFritz Lieber.
Petie VieckFred Graham.
Raff KlootsHarold Russell.
Rudie SchimmelpennickHorace Braham.

SAILORS ABOARD THE FLYING DUTCHMAN’S SHIP “BATAVIA.”

KrisArthur Fitzgerald.
BramHerbert Ayling.
HeinWorthington L. Romaine.
HansJ. J. Williams.
PrinzLawrence Woods.
KlassEdward L. Walton.
Jan TanjesBert Hyde.
Pilot KrantzTony Bevan.
BoatmanOren Roberts.
Trintie StaatsJane Cooper.
JohannaMarie Bates.
A Little BoyMaster MacComber.