The times., 1898-07-19
AT THE TKEATERS.
Columbin-"A Scrap of Paper.

COlumbia-'1A Scrap of Paper
That comparisons are odious'' is a gem
orally accepted truth. and yet for some
mysterious reason or other il is rarely
that the persons in whose favor the judg-
ment is can be brought to look upon it in
that way. Those who are disturbed about
the matter are almost invariably the un-
lucky parties. And yet the fact that one
man or thing falls behind the perfection of
another and prior one, does not neces-
sarily mean that the he or 1t in question
is not able to satisfy or to replace
To those who have seen both there can
be no doubt in the verify of a statement
that the rendering given "A Scrap Of Pa
per- by last nights Columbia Stock Com
pany can hardly be said to equal that of
last years organization. That most of
the players were still unfamiliar with
their lines may be attributed either 10
nervousness or 10 the indisputable lack of
sufficient rehearsal. But the straining
after effect. the absence of detailed bust
ness and the general uncertainty Of indi-
yidual work so frequently shown cannot
be summarily dismissed. Not that the
icism would be manifestly unjust and
grossly uncharitable. There has been but
one better presentation here in many
Summers-but that one was given by the
preceding organization.
"A Scrap OF Paper is not one OF those
pieces which plays itself On the con-
trary. the parts require the most careful
and intelligent Interpretation to prevent
their becoming mere caricatures. while a
certain atmosphere of brilliancy and
daintineSs is only acquired and diffused
by the presence of art and the absence
of effort. OF a much higher order than
either OF two prior comedies taken from
the same source. ]. PaIgrave Simpson 5
master-work calls also for higher order
of labor. This was contributed by the
presenting combinat ton of last night in a
degree that caused those who had seen
the earlier Offering TO admire and those
who had not to wonder.
The Prosper Couramont of William In
gersolI is, as it was last year, a delicateiy
fine bit OF character drawing. The role
assumes in his hands a certain humanity
so broad in its nature that every person
in the audience feels the likeness 10 him
self Alexander Kearney. too. gets some
excellent material from the lines of the
baron. perhaps not so much because the
part fits him as because he fits the part
Though frequently a little noisy. several
of his scenes are notably meritorious and
his entire portrayal deserves hearty
praise. James o. Barrows's naturalist.
like certain maiden ladies' has cOntriyed
To lose some years as it grows older but
is nevertheless, a detailed and consist
( emily humorous impersonation. while John
Lancaster is an even better Anatole than
was his predecessor. Bert Thayer. and
Edward Mackay makes rather an uncon-
ventional Baptiste. Frank Ball is also
good in a small role.
During the first act Maud HasIam
makes her appearance in good humor
and a gown that needs only the addition
of a yellow harp to make her look like
an Irish goddess of liberty Suffering from
a severe cold last night, one could hardly
Judge her work, especially as II seemed
in great contrast with what it should
have been Though strong in parts and
| humorous in others. her Suzanne lacks
utterly the finish and artistic perception
shown in that of Alberta Gallatin. and
is in many respects below the standard OF
both. The Louise. portrayed by EIeanora
Browning needs more study, too. as well
as renewed observance into natural char
acteristics of the woman portrayed.
though the emotional work put into it is
of the strongest sort. Her bi. in the second
act is wonderfully well done, and pro-
voked applause after her exit. Agnes
Findlay is an exceptional Zenobie. and
Florence WiIberham bright though fear
fully self conscious Mathilde. Lara Bal
and Carolyne Mclean could not have beer
improved upon in the small parts given
them. The presentation as a whole is
most creditabIe and deserves all the ad-
vantages of cool weather and consequent
| good houses.