The times., 1898-05-24
AT THE THEATERS.
CoIumbia-"HeId by the Enemy"


Notwithstanding an unnatural equaliza-
ton of the benefits in the proverbial verse
it is much more pleasant to welcome the
coming than to speed the parting guest.
and one of the largest audiences of the
season was present last night at the
Columbia to perform this former delight
full duty for every individual member of
this Summer stock company. The
theater was packed to overflowing.
the brilliant attire OF the feminine portion
of the crowd setting off the lavish decora-
tions in the house to excellent advantage.
And everyone there had come with the
expressed purpose of being amused if pos
sible. process so easy of attainment by
such an organization that there was more
applause than play heard during the per-
formance. Jimmy Barrows. William
Ingersoll, Maud Haslam. and Agnes Find
lay were all vociferously greeted as soon
as recognized. while the new people came
in for corresponding share of the good
will. Altogether Ii was an evening of bunt-
ing and music, of lights and music. of hon
est effort, and appreciative enthusiasm
that could only have been evoked by such
an unequaled company that presented.
Held by the Enemy" is certainly
among the greatest of all war plays. Not
withstanding its age and the number Of
its imitators IL appears still to the same
advantage that it did when Mr.. Gillette
and his associates were using 1t for
vehicle. 1t is strongly melodramatic but
never sensationally So while the careful
and unstrained combination of comedy
and pathos with its stronger work serves
to make it one of the most thoroughly
enjoyable of pieces. The plays present
timeliness contributes not a little to its
inter est and TO the earnestness with which
| Ii is received.
But TO the uniformly excellent organi-
| cation seen last night IS due the greater
part of its power to please this week
Mr.. Barrows's company is on a plane of
worth hardly conceivable in a stock COM
| bination. It's individual achievements are
only surpassed by the merit and smooth
ness of its ensemble and the general
strength contributed by careful training
| and high degree of talent. Mr.. Bar
rows himself is admirable in his rather
unique impersonation of the war CORES
pondent. While he plays the part in
rather low comedy vein, it loses moth
ing in that way and it's merit is never
under the actors established standard
William Ingersoll is undoubtedly the best
| Col. Prescott ever seen here and his Won
derful portrayal deserves the highest
| praise, Whlle the Gordon haynes or Ed
| win Mackaye and the Uncle Rufus of ].
| r. Furlong cannot be too well spoken Of.
| Alexander Kearney contributes a clever
| character bit in the role of Surgeon Field
ing and Agnes FindIay won hearty ap-
proval by the consistency of her Euphe-
mia McCreery. both being fully up to the
| mark set by their associates. Margaret
Mayo is a conscientious Susan.
But 10 Maud Haslam belongs the great
er part of the credit of the performance.
Her Rachel not only developed hitherto
unrealized abilities in an emotional line.
but 1t showed capability and capacity
rare in any artist now before the public
Always consistent and coherent in her
portrayal. she gives il strength of pur-
pose and force of action hardly ever
equaled and never surpassed. Nothing
could have riya!ed her work in the diff
cult role.
The scenic effects and detail of the pro-
duction are very good indeed. Some of
the settings are notably fine. all of them
being entirely new and faithful in their
representation. A patriotic tableau.
which closed the entertainment. evoked
great enthusiasm and brought to his feet
every person IN the house with the ex-
| ception of party of Japanese and some
neighbors who evidently found a lack of
| national pride contagious.