The evening times., 1899-05-30
THINGS THEATRICAL.
Colunbie-"The Dancins GIRL"

A combination OF happy circumstances
contributed last evening to dramatic tri-
umph, the magnitude and Significance OF
which is far-reaching. Within the present
year Nine. Modjeska, while deploring the
tendency Of the present to supplant art by
artifice, predicted that ere long a COM
paratively unknown actress should come
out of the far West to delight and astonish
all with the infinite genius and charm ex-
hibited. To Washington this prophecy was
last evening fulfilled, as it had previously
been done elsewhere, by the appearance OF
the phenomenal young actress, Miss
Blanche Bates.
THE Dancing Girl was the play select
ed as the avenue Of Introduction, and hap
PLY so. There are many excellent parts
in the drama, and the members OF the
Frawley Company were admirably cast. In
many respects THE Dancing Girl resem
bles 'The Christian" yet the former Is
the more perfect piece Of dramatic litera-
ture, the situations being stronger, more
logical and natural, the lines brighter, and
the portraits drawn truer to life. That
opportunity makes artists is the beiiei OF
the profession, and certainly Henry Arthur
Jones' drama must have a weight Of re-
sponsibility to carry, for no less than a
half dozen characters there built are phe-
nomenally strong.
But to the casual onlooker. the players
are the play, no matter what the lines tney
read or the clothes they wear. Fortunate
indeedwas Miss Bates in reaching the exciu-
sive capital, to find herself surrounded by SO
capable and popular company OF players.
She was the central figure Of the evening,
even when she made her quiet entrance
and continued until her final exit the Gym
osure of all eyes, literally the observed OF
all observers. The role Of Drusilla Ives
is one which runs the scale OF the emo
tions yet each note sounded true ana pure
when touched by the hand OF genius. Prob
ably no more enthusiastic welcome mas eV-
er been given an actress by washington
audience than that OF last evening. IL was
a hard struggle to score such victory,
preceded as she has been locally by Mary
Rorke and Virginia Harmed in Beerbohm
Trees and f. II. Sothern's companies. Yet
above all. appears the characterization OF
the newer actress. Tall, 1.-the, graceful,
possessing that mysterious commodity
called charm, imparting TO each line a
touch of coquetry and tinge OF art, nature
was ever present and surmounting her ev-
cry act. The great scene OF the play is in
the third act when the stern Quaker faith
er discovering his daughter in place TO
him den of iniquity. first pleads with her
and then commands that she forsake her
ways of evil and falling in his purpose de-
pounces her as a wanton and rushes madly
from her presence. She reels and falls
down great fight of stairs, TO rise and
flee after her parent, seeking his forgive
ness This scene was magnificently done,
both Miss Bates and Mr.. Cook receiving
the enthusiastic approval and appreciation
OF the audience crowding the cozy play
house TO the doors.
While far from belittling the success OF
the young actress. no small share Of the
credit Of the evening. is due TO Augustus
Cook grand old character actor that he
is. Only in the situation mentioned does
his potency receive full sway and the con-
test for honors between the actor and ac-
tress is superb. Each wins, and each had
a foeman. though co-worker, worthy Of
his and her best efforts.
OF the remainder of the cast. two per-
sons deserve pre-eminent appreciation and
another pair more than customary praise.
The first twain consists of Mr. Frawley
and Georgia Welles, the second OF Har
rington Reynolds and Alfred Hickman.
The feminine ideal, Z. II. Sothern, IS prob
ably the popular idol in the role OF the
Duke OF Guisebury, although at times
Mr. Frawley nearly drags his laursels
from him. In others he fails 10 realize
the full significance and meaning of his
lines Yet in the scene leading up TO his
attempt at suicide. quiet intensity and
power reaches across the footlights and
carries one with him Miss Welles is
sweet, scholarly in her reading. artistic in
her touches of pathos and love, and inva-
riably natural. Mr.. Reynolds gives the
best impersonation of his engagement in
the character of John Christison. bling
notable for strength and reserve. A quaint
comedy Bit nightly well done is that OF
Alfred Hickman, while Charles King.
Godfrey Stein. George CASTOR, J. B. Hoi-
lis ]. 4. Anory. and Frank Matthieu pay
the price of a stock engagement and work
in bits. Femininity there is in plenty in
the play, much of it being handsomely
gowned and groomed. Kathleen Cham
bers made her professional debut. reading
a small part naturally and clearly. as did
Violet Kimball in a role of more signi-
fcance and proportional difficulty. Cor
inne Parker and Mrs. F. NJ. Bates have
their chief labor in looking well and dress
ing nicely, which each does with great
grace and naturalness. BIT finely done
is that of Mrs. Christian by Ada Levick,
the quiet insanity of the peasant woman
giving one a creepy feeling" Miss Bates
is also tastefully gowned.
The four acts are carefully and naturally
staged by Thomas Philips. special seem
cry being furnished by Frederick Schafer.
Last evenings performance was series
of oyations and floral presentations. Miss
Bates being especially kindly remembered.
although the other ladies Jared well at
the hands of their admirers. Taken as a
whole. it is too little to say that the per-
formance is the best yet given by the
Frawley Company. 1t is scarcely too
much to say it has not been surpassed by
any visiting company. either that of Mr..
Tree or of Mr., Sothern. And certainly the
role of Druisilla Ives has never been SO
read, either by Mary Rorke, Virginia
Harmed, Julia Arthur, or by other artists
seen in America. There will be ma,inees
Thursday and Saturday.
Glen Echo Opening.