The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-09-15
I'm SEARCH OF HAPPINESS"
Downlng's New Play Scores a Sue
cess at the National.
With Il List of Varied and
Clever fractions.

The New National Theater began its
season last night, and the occasion was
marked by the first American production
OF the Greek play, In Search OF Happi-
ness" by Edward Dousard The house
WAS crowded, It's Dicturesqueness being
heightened by the presence IN evening dress
anu teZ Of ABOUT one hundred Shriners
III triDute ~ NoDics DownhiS ana Dousiru.
lie OCCASION was maze gaia Dy the en-
thusiasm OF the audience, Ihe many flowers
passed 10 the actors ana the Pleasant
speeches OF Doth star anu author.
Mucn was expected or the new play
IL uid not dIsd appoint. IL was sue
Cess. There was Il feeling OF confidence
inspired ny the vivid motion q; the nfsl
act. Therein was disclosed the caliDer
of the author AMI The capacity or the
actors to cope with the work IN hand
Inc second ACT confirmed the worth OF
the tirst ana Die Third stamped
the wholc "A SUCCESS III spite or what might
follow. II was well, Tor there was the
Climax or the play. LII the fourth and
tiftn acts there was curiosity to Sd tisIy,
but the heights OF the Iirst three acIs
the literary quantity.
"ln Search OF happiness is great
play. aud will not repudiate criticism 1t
suggests itself to analysis in three re-
spects. As literary wOrK, as "A piece OF
play-craft. and as an ethical problem.
As piece or literature is is rich and
exquisite in every line. IL is as honorable
TO the library as to the stage. Some OF
the inipassiOned elOquence OF classical
oratory. 1t is pen triumph.
As piece OF play-craru it stands a
noble model Of the at present infreQuent
classic plays. 1t deserves place with
"Ingonar" and THE Gladiator" the
two great American classics. But the
climax comes not too early in the play,
but too far from the end. TO the end OF
the third act there
the gradual ascent OF story. ana interest,
The fourth act has some relation to the
story, aud 1t has all the word beauty of
what precedes aud follows, but IL Is
supcrlative. 1t were better cut or con-
densed TO a single first scene of the fifth
act.
The play is ainenable to ethical criti-
cisin because IL presents a problem. But
III final Juuginent AN important distinction
must he made. Greek ethics are sub
United To those OF modern Americans. I he
standards are different. silva was prob
ably worthy Of the love Of Heryor. accord
ing 10 the creeks and doubtless constants.
with slave" branded Oh his shoulder could
have been a hideOus thing III her eyes.
he Is not SO to ours. Consti.Is and
Hervor are both noble men. both heroes
In her flckleness, silva was not worthy
either OF them. The sane problem Is
presented in a different setting in The
Prisoner Of Zenda." but FIaNia is a true
heroine and she sacrifices love 10 honor.
sends away kussendyl and marries the
prince.
The acting of the play depends upon
THEE people. the actors who play Hcrvor,
Constans and silva. As the noble Gaul.
Mr. Downing surpassed nlIESelf He gave
evidence OF ngnlness OF touch, but pcie-
tratiug dIscernIEeut oil lie r,auing ne
has never before.
EugeuII blair conquered even her part.
1t Is small effort for tins beautiful faNorIe
to conquer her audience. She held her
place IN The story IN spite of the odds
referred 10. and finished her study with
and grace. William BRAIN
well played Constans. 1t is said that
II was ms debut. II this is so, tie praise
that must have been his on any account.
belongs 10 MN III unstiuteG terms Ior his
fine work. He made his points effectively
Ill every instance.
The balance OF tie company Were all
acceptable. Aristander should lake his cue
from one OF the lines ,Of the last OF the TIr>t
act?i and make up rs an Older man. Mss
Holbrpok sang delightful hut WAS less
in her dance. Two features
which were not lost to anyone were the
t. Xuui sIIelSIBCiGenGl ~ music dna ne beautiful
scenery. both III harmony with the ST.
perb text
After act three both stars and authors
calls for speeches. Mr.. nUusard,
with his native Greek custom,
kissed Mr.. Downing on the cheek and
whether inadvertently or no. responded
to the audience in rhymed couplet. Mr..
Downing's speech was well devised There
md generally expresses assurance that
play and production were totally successful.
on Friday evening, saturday matinee
and evening, Mr.. Downing VIII produce
Putnam a Son of the Revolution" This
play Is new this season hut has heen tried
IN a preliminary season. and according to
>ut of town papers, with considerable
success.
II lCoHed like old times and good times
at the Grand Opera Hudse last night where
A Boy Wanted, was produced for the
'Irst time in this city.
IL u safe To say there were not five
seats III the reserved section OF
the thesAer, and the house WAS almost
1rcled two aud three rows deep by those
having general admissions.
the cNtrhviiiga comedy. farce, operetta-
what you wili-might Just well have
been Called-better. perhaps - Laughs
as "A Boy Wanted" A. any
ate IT makes roars and pillows of laughter
with its three acts
Il is useless to describe the plot-because
here is none. Its lack in this respect
5 not, however. observed as the pretty
rrls: bright costumes, upto-date songs.
lowell specialities. and other features leave
10 time for Thought OF Il plot.
The Boy. and he's a butte is played.
sung. hand sprung, grimaced.
guyed and jollied along by Harry
IN a mirtii-provoking way. He finds the
ollcst, prettiest and brightest comrades
IN Lille Sutherland and Nellie |
o. NELL. who are extraordinarily clever.
Willie Settle. played by RaymoD Finley. |
who lis always looking for GCcd thing
$, the audience voted. also good thing. |
md his ecceniricities were most enter |
tanning. His coadiut9r in fun is Flora Evans,
Who looks pretty and sings prcttier.
In word, "A Boy Wanted. when found |
,y the play gocr. fills n long felt want. and |
he only regret is that at the end of the |
week he must he pushed along.
cir tnnEnrS IDnrars
Knox e. Wilson. Tom Feasley. Frank Young. |
:. H. Vandake. Charles Bryant. Gus Saville. |
Icnrch. Laura Bennett. Lille Allyn and |
ieorgic Lingard. |
Go see "A Boy wanted and have a
good time.
The Academy OF Music opened for the |
winter season last uignt with "a production |
If Harkins and Barbour's romantic Amerl- |
IAN play. Northern Lights The theatcr |
was filled by well Pleased audience who |
their approx a 10 pia y andpiayers |
II frequent bursts of applause. There have |
been no changes IN the Academy during the |
summer, but none were needed. The pretty |
heater is model OF comfort and its |
PATRONS know 1t for good place to spend /
he evening, where gUoo play may be !
Northern Lights not "A total stranger |
d this city. IL was produced here last
ear. 1t came unostentatiouSly but the
IZe of the audiences Increased with each |
Ills year tie opening WIS \
irge and tbds fair to retain a nigh record.
Tine players are all well adapted to their
oles. Particular hits were last night
nade BY MIR. Maurice Freeman, who acted
Ohm SwIftwinI. the Indian Yale man;
by Mr. William Humphreys, an experience
ctor of heavy parts, as SiGney Sherwood;
lay Wheeler, for her forceful performance
If the emotional role of Helen Dare, aud
lara Knott Dorothy, the Little Major.
The scenery was especially fine in the
Aripd settings REPRESENTING the DlraGe !
the interior of Sherwood's quar- |
ers. the double scene and the bluffs above
'ongue river The play will be given
IL week with matinees tomorrow and