The times., 1898-04-05
AT The TBEATERS.
Larayette-"The Adventure OF Lad,
Ursula"


began last night and true to it's tradi-
tions, F. II. Sothern came to the Lafay-
cite Square Opera House Mr.. Sothern
has chosen this period for visiting us for
so long that one must determine that he
likes Washington best during the last
of its penance, and that, perforce, Wash
ington prefers him at the same time.
Yesterday evening the house was COM
pletely sold out half an hour before the
curtain rose and. from the number of
ladies present, many happy fireside
must have been deserted. Mr.. Sothern is
as much the exclusive property of the
women as is Harper's Bazaar or the De-
lineatOr.
This week the actor brings with him
a new production by Anthony Hope, who
it will be remembered once before took
the stars measure for a play and fit him
admirably. He has done no less in THE
Adventure of Lady Ursula" The piece
could not be more appropriate. Every
scene is tropic in its degree of Sothern-
ness. t.
In his latest dramatic work Anthony
Hope has much of which to be extremely
proud. The piece isimore, if one may go
to literature for a comparison. like The
Dolly Dialogues than The Prisoner of
Zenda." There is an astonishingly small
amount of swashbuckling and Dragging
to be done and a correspondingly large
set of speeches that are so very bright
as to challenge comparison with any
modern product of the stage. True, these
witty lines are stilted and invested with
what is perhaps a becoming degree of
artificiality. They are thought under
powdered wigs and given vent to from
painted mouths with black patches near
them. Still they are clever and all their
bad qualities cannot spoil them.
Dramatically The Adventure of Lady
Ursula" is rather odd. 1t is in no sense
a forceful play-on the contrary it is
often so exceedingly mild that the game
of casino mentioned in the first act,
seems most appropriate. 1t is a pretty"
playa play where ingenius incidents
take the place of forceful situations, where
salutes supersede swords and the hero
makes love gently. Rather conventional
in idea ii is, at the same time. unique in
kind. On the whole. it is also pleasing
play.
The plot is divided into seven parts of
equal fength-four acts and a wait be-
tween each. Lady Ursula, a madcap, has
heard of a certain eX-rake, Sir George
Sylvester. who has killed his best friend
for a woman and henceforth declines to
see one of that hated sex or admit her
into the house. Lady Ursula lays wa
ger that she can pass this hermit's door
and in endeavoring to win, involves her
brother in a duel with Sir George. To
avert this she disguises herself as a man
and goes to plead for him. She enters
the house and shortly after he comes in.
(Applause) Her argument is, successful
and not until she has gone does he detect
(. the deception. Then he follows her to
London, saves her from duel. great ap-
plause) and falls desperately in love with
I her. OF course, after that she does the
only thing to be done-falls in love with
Z him-they are united and the. curtain
falls on a happy group. Enthusiastic ap-
piause.)
Mr. Sothern has not changed a great
( deal since last he was here. He has not
1 learned to modulate his voice. to ceasa
/ ranting, or to put more than sweetness
into his speeches. Last night he talked
loudly and when that failed to create the
/ desired impression, he walked up and
/ down with his heavy boots. Mr.. Sothern
has yet to understand that an audience
/ goes to the theater for amusement, for
recreation, and between whiles-for rest.
Virginia Harmed, on the other hand,
does some of the very best work seen
fully, prettiIy. and with bewitching chic
and charm Her mannerisms are delight
full and her fidelity to both art and ma
ture becomingly deceitful. II Is also only
justice to say that she looks well in
knfckerbockers.i The supporting com
pany is all excellent. Roydon krynne
has little to do and does it well: Row
land Blackstone has less to say and says
il still better, aud that old-time villain
Morton Selten, plays a blood-thirsty gal
liant neatly. Rebecca Warren is glrlshll
gushing. and Kate Pattison-Selter. ca
pable old lady Owen Faweett prove:
his worth by contributing one of the bes
bits of character comedy ever seen here
The remainder of the large cast are wei
up to the avepdge The Adventure o
Lady Ursula" will be played all the weel
with the exception of Wednesday matine
and Saturday night. when THE Lady o
Lyons" and Lord Chumley Will sue
( ceed it consecutively.