The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-11


disappointing that the comedian did net
visit the Capital at all the following sea-
son. though return dates were played IL
several neighboring places. "Mr. Smooth
was a direrting and enjoyable farce acted
IN admirable style but It brought unfor-
tunately small sized gatherings to the
Columbia. John Drew's rendering of THE
Tyranny of Tears provoked some interest
Ellison and Enroll. George Wilson and
others on the GTands vaudeville bill were
so satisfactory that the auditorium was
"scld OUT nightly. The "Tammany Tigers''
were not equally lucky at Kernan's Va-i-
Gus private OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
musical-y-cfe attended in the usual man
nef.
majoritv of peopla think only when
compelled 10 do so. Were this not true a
great portion of the shams and hypocrisies
which constantly are succeeding would be
impossible great number of the unrecog-
nized deserving would be recognized and
a great multitude of the applauded UNI
deserving would he shown in their real
colors. II is not the malice of instinct or
the stupidity Of blindness that is respon-
sible for many current crying shames: 1t
is the carelessness of custom. Once set in
the way of considering. folk soon would
right the wrongs apparent in a variety OF
things ranging from politics to policies;
from society TO the stage. The habtuai
iheatregoer might do well. if he or she
proposes 10 use his or her mental faculti, 5
in such a cause. by weighing the merit s
and dement's OF John Drew who was In
Washington last week. that either may
conclude 10 how much OF his present pres
Iige and pristine popularity that star is
entitled.
~. AZ.
being presented as the central figure of
what undoubtedly is one Of the smoothest
and most excellent comedy organizations
in the world. Critically. IL has been ad-
mitted generally that at least two members
of the company in question act quite as ar
tistieally and impersonate with Infinitely
more variety than does their chief. Despite
This fact. however. MIR. Drew has COM
manded admiration largely resultant from
his personality and from The brilliance of
the plays in which he has been introduced
Each of these vehicles has added something
to his reputation-"The Tyranny OF Tears, -
which was shown here until yester-eyen
ing. has added UNNECESSARILY TO that repu-
tstion. Mr.. Drew is counted a ventursome
produced and a performer of unique and
original methods.
Notwithstanding the position that has
been gained as Consequence Of such
widespread respect and tribute. the know
ing in professional circles could tell
that. during the eight seasons mentioned.
Mr.. Drew hardly has offered a dramatic
effort which had not been tried by others
before ne obtained 1t. Rosemary" THE
Liars and "A Marriage of Convenience"
all had been stamped with European
approval prior to their American exhibit
tion. The Tyranny of Tears" initially
f.a4 L. T,.lf
ago. served Charles Wyndham through
last spring at the Criterion Theatre. Lon
don. The work was running there when
Mr.. Drew's manager saw 1t and procured
the rights for the United States. 4 stage
director employed by that manager is said
10 have studied every detail of the foreign
rendering thought out by MIR. Wyndham
and 10 have utilized his observations in
coaching the newer east. Finally. IL is
not improbable that Mr.. Drew. who was
abroad until within few weeks of his
opening. took advantage Of the precise
opportunity. The smilarities in the two
conceptions certainly would argue the
likelihood of such proceeding-such a
discussable proceeding. An author or a
painter who adopted the same means of
copying and emitting acknowledgment
would be credited not with talent but
with something expressed by a word of al
most equal length, having the Identical
initial letter Assuredly. IL there is no
more mistake than there seems TO be in
the supposition named above. his presenta-
tion Of THE Tyranny of Tears" has earned
Mr.. Drew neither the character OF daring
man OF business nor that OF an actor Ca
pablo OF creating.
The writer who witnessed three per-
formances OF Haddon Chambers delightful
comedy of temperament" in London was
estonished at noting how consistently that
performance had been followed here The
stage OF the Criterion might have been
lifted bodily and placed In the local build
ing. Every detail of property and setting
had been obseryed-the very plush covered
rSu surrounding the CRATE in Clement Par
bufy's study had been either duplicated or
borrowed. The most trifling gestures were
familiar even to the rather unworthy bit
Of humor In Mr.. Parbury's apparent but
inaudible swearing. Mr.. Drew's several ex-
celiencies of portrayal-he never has done
anything more applicable or generally toll
cradle than this delineation-all proved
reminiscent of Mr.. wyndham though his
reading and fris appearance were inferior 70
those of the polished Briton. Only the
eternal manners of Mr.. Drew stuck out al
the elbows-were truly original. The ag-
gressiveness OF his fine clothes the effort
OF his dominant refinement, and the self
sufficient atmosphere about him did not
recall Mr.. wyndhan. These things merely
marked the differences between q thorough
9rtist and the personally popular star who
occasionally succeeds in doing what might
lie termed an extraordinary piece OF work
Mr.. Drew's reputation has been enhanced
during the current year because his inter-