The times., 1899-09-19
Coiumbia-..T'hc LIARS,

Colonel Sir Christopher DeeTing. Otis skinner
Edward Falkner. Prank L. sylvester
Gilbert NepeaR. R....-...............--E A. Eberle
George Nepean. Harry Hyde
Freddie Tatton. on...-....--..-...----W. C. andrews
Archibald Coke. ke......-...........-..H Rees Davis
waiter Alfred Edwards
Taplin. -. Lewis Webster
Mrs Crespln. Clara Everett
Beatrice Ebcrnob ................. Emma Iindberg
Dolly Coke Ethel Strickland
Ferns. -....-...-.-..-..-..... blanche Neal
Lady Rosau'uud Tatton. ..-..... Helen Strickland
Lady Jessica Sepean. -Nannette Comstock
The Columbia had a gala opening last
night, when Otis Skinner was seen in
Henry Arthur jones ''The Liars" by
gathering of decidedly generous proper
anee in the modern drama since leaving
the Daily organization The initial consid-
Grafton in the Interpretation OF the class
of comedy to which THE Liars belongs
is generally supposed to be the knaek OF
wearing modish apparel in such fashion as
to beguile an audience into the belief that
the player-fclk have been used to ii
since the days of the rattlebox and the
perambuator. even though the art of the
real actor be lacking. Mr.. SINNERS asso-
ciates proved to be not only good clothes
horses, but men and women Of uncommon
abiiities-sueh exploiters OF MIR. Jones
piece that the production was success
from the start-one of those real, honest
successes, of which one reads so very oitsn
and sees so very seldom
The story of ''The Liars was rehearsed
in these columns at the time OF John
Drew's last engagement here. The Offering
is typical of its author; play of the very
best construction. nimble wit, brilliant dia-
logue, and unfagging interest. The only
fault that could be found with Mr.. Skin
ner's part is that in it he is afforded so
few opportunities, and that the ones he has
for telling the young woman of the piece
those heart-quickening words which he is
so clever at repeating are limited. For
Mr.. Skinner has come TO be regarded as
the stage lover par excellence by Wash
ington theatregoers, and consequently
many wished last night that he could
trade roles with Frank Sylvester long
enough to permit of his saying, Here. let
me show you how she wants to be told OF
your passion" Mr. SINNERS work was al
ways good-a polished, intelligent, un-
Drewesque imperscnation.
The supporting organization was headed
by Nannette Comstock, who, as the indis-
crete Lady Jessca, wore some dresses that
made the feminine portion of the audi
ence utter little Obs before settling back
in their chairs in an effort to store up in
their brain cells impressions of the cut
of the gowns for the especial use of their
own particular dressmakers. Miss Com
stock met every requirement Of the role,
physical and intellectual, and made a
most favorable impression TIE Lacy Ros-
amund OF Helen Strickland also won for
her much praise, while another representl-
tive of the Strickland family, Ethel by
name, was a highly satisfactory Dolly
Coke. Emma Lindberg and Blanche Neal
were also creditable in their respective
parts. OF Frank Sylvester, it need on'y
be said that ne portrayed Edward Falkner,
the impetuous young English officer fresh
from fighting sayages in Africa, with vim
and yirility AT times Mr.. Sylvester was
inclined to overact the part, but Falkner
was placed upon the stage by Mr.. Jones
for the special purpose OF making love TO
Lady Jessica, and this the player did we'll
The Gilbert, Nepean Of q. A. Eberle was
quite good, while his stage brother,
George, was shown in very co orless style
by Harry Hyde. OF course, there is waiter
in The Liars, and he was assumed
yester-evening by Alfred Edwards with
a beautiful stage-French pat0is that would
not be recognizable in France, England
or anywhere else in this wide, wide world
except behind the footlights. H. Rees
Davis. Lewis Webster. and Clara Everett
completed the generally very competent
cast.
Some of these days, Mr.. Skinner will Sc
cure a new comedy and New 1o.k open
ing When that event occurs the people
of the Metropolis will find out that Of
which Washingtonians are already cog
infant, that John Drew is not to be COM
pared with Mr.. Skinner as an actor. Per-
sons who have seen Mr.. Drew in "Ths
Liars" would do we'll to go TO the Co.um-
bia this week. that they may learn how Sir
Christopher's lines should be read.