The Washington times., 1894-04-06
AS THE CROWDS CONE OUT.

The exceeding delicacy OF Felix Morris art
and his command of pathos are best shown
in the PLAYS which he uses this week. In 1.-THE
Old Musician the dear, sad. old character
of a man who has lost everything in the
world but his piano, but who cherishes
through a long life OF trials one fond hope of
joy that is finally destroyed, is exactly adapted
to Mr.. Morris peculiar tenderness and
poetry of method. He is felicitously gentle
with the old gentleman. and makes ones eyes
grow dim for him. Who can witness this
performance and doubt the superlatiye quality
of his art.
And in this second programme is his versa
tility wonderfully illustrated. There is not a
chance for any one moment OF anything else
than laughter in the three acts OF THE Paper
Chase" Ii is one of the most dis.rcssinGly
funny plays that we have. and in 1.-The
Paper Chase Mr.. Eusby shines as the re-
fUlgent center stone of iudcrogsness. Mr..
Morris has, OF course. in this as into every
thing else that he plays infused himself till
every other Capt. Busby that ever was must
seem a foolish deviation from the truth.
There is no grunder play of historic interest
than "Richelieu,' and the character of the
Cardina. is so majestically drawn that but one
The immortal Booth used to make Il powerful
impression upon his Audiences in scenes OF
this wonderful play, and when he died it was
thought the character must die with him.
But the man is ALWAYS equal to the occasion.
Suddenly. while it is yet u regret that this
or that one of the actors before the public
is unsuitei 10 that difficult character, Creston
Clarke. a young and handsome actor, springs
into prominence.
Ha hnt hna in tla
moods OF the character q musical sweetness.
rich, melodious, vibrant, that delights the
hearer. His face is firm, positive. resolute in
cast. and yet it Is strikingy handsome and
obedient to the expression of ever varying
emotion. He has the soul of an artist. Mr..
Clarke is most promising young actor. for
the fine intelligence that marks his work is
tempered and qualified by the modesty OF Il
sound judgment. Manly he Is in whatever he
does, earnest. sincere, conscientious. always
seeming to think the character greater than
himself.
or rather long list Of farces translated,
adapted, betrayed, or dragged vi ct armis
from the French "Mr. W;lkinson's Widows"
fingers upon the memory as the most laugh
worthy.
Mr.. Gillette was responsible for the Eng
lish version OF Bisson's original, and he
managed 10 take out the very, very naugnty
things and leave the memory Of a risque plot
sufficiently clear to still be funny. The dia-
logue is crisp and clear, the dramatic action
wonderfully quick.
Therefore we may rejoice over the return
OF "Mr. Wilkinson's Widows to Washing
ton. where it was first staged. 1t comes to
the Academy Monday night, and it comes in
good hands.
There isn't better team for this sort Of
work in the profession than Miss Henrietta
Crosman and Joseph Holland, and the rest
Of the east, which Includes Thomas Burns.
Charles S. Able, T. c. Valentine, Margaret
Craven, Maud White, and Annie Wood, is
equally competent.
As for Miss Crosman, who will play the
part OF Mrs. Percival Perrin for the first time
here. we know no comedienne who possesses
a better style for the Interpretation Of the
farce from the French. She has just the
touch-and-go jollity and nsivete needed.