The times., 1899-12-31
FRIENDS OF LAST WEEK.


From the view point of the average the
atregoer this may not appear veritable,
but. nevertheless, il is true, that Blanche
Bates has never done better work than in
Naughty Anthony" For some reason,
comedy rarely seems difficult to the lay
man, and yet the ordinary actor or actress
finds that making audiences cry is an easy
task beside making them laugh. To the
former achievement intensity and occa-
sional artistic touches are chiefly neces-
sary; 10 the latter an inherent humor
which, in women. is far stranger than any
other form Of genius Frequently a dram
atist Will suggest ideas that do not require
Interpretation. but that of themselves at
tach TO the impersonation with the best
of results. No line delivered By Richard
Mansfield in "Cyrano de Bergerac" had the
pathos emphasized by a sight of the vacant
chair in Rostands last scene. The farc.cal
writers whose abilities have allowed of
their accomplishing anything of the sort
may be counted on the fingers of one hand.
That Miss Bates made Cora the hosiery
model, consistent and sympathetic. even
while light and amusing was a triumph OF
her skill and Of her skill alone. David
Belasco took care that none of his should
creep into the piece.
Really when the playseer begins con
sidering, it is remarkable that Miss Bates
should have been even passable in the
role In these days of specialists. the
stage manager seldom finds men or women
who can successfully depart even trifingIy
from their Individual lines The difference
between such characterizations as those OF
Miladi and Hannah and OF Cora is incaIcu-
liable Miss Bates Cora proved smooth
and graceful performance, marked by an
evident understanding of what points
should be emboldened and which italicized
in working with 50 thankless a part Oc-
casionally il was enliyened by flashes OF
personal humor. No Improvement could
be suggested, and whether the versatility
established is due to MIR Belasco's hand
ling or to that Of T. Daniel Frawley the
credit won by Miss Bates is Iimitless
a mere bit well done was the Mrs Dobbs
contributed to The Dagger and the Cross"
last week by Blanche Moulton. Nothing
more natural of that class has been shown
here since Marie Bates supported Andrew
Mack in An Irish Gentleman" Servants
parts, like drunken scenes, are rarely acted
in a meritorous manner and Miss Moul-
tons impersonatiou was doubly praise
worthy because unusual
And once more Mr.. and Mrs Fisher
If vaudeville can lay claim to a quainter
or daintier sketch than is "The Halfway
House" better played than Mr.. and Mrs
Fisher play that piece, Burke & Chase
have not given Washington an opportunity
of seeing all it wants to see. Before he
had witnessed performance of the come
dietta, the writer heard Ezra Keudall's 8
Offering described as a "spliced string of
Jokes" Never did any verdict come far
/ Uher from the truth. The Halfway
House" has dialogue so snappy and bright
that occasionally it does smack OF the
/ close in Cne' mOnolOgues, but the dis inc
ton is drawn in the entire relevancy and
/ pertinency of the lines Then, too, no
/ mean knowledge of construction is dis
/ played in the product, the constant and
/ gradual approach to legitimate verbal eli
] makes being most interesting. There are
1 several charming bits OF pathos contrastod
/ with the wit of the House aud there
! is a single rather horsey situation that IS
/ not d defect because il is not a feature
| Complete originality and lack OF hurried
ness in style are both virtues Of the pre-
sentation.
Mr.. Fishers impersonation OF Silas Old
er the hustler" citizen of Ricketville.
viii rank with the most consistent and
/ characteristic portraitures of the sort on
! the stage When Rose Melville sings she
exaggerates and drops out of her role. Mr.
Fishers song in his cracked voice is en-
| tirely artistic. Mrs. Fisher is adequate.
| Then, too, in vaudeville it is relief to
see clock hands that agree with the en-
tertaners as to the time of day and tum-
ble-down rookeries without great centre
I doors and wood carving 1.-The Half- WAY
| HotSe" was, as ever, a treat.