The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-23
CoIumbia-.oiiver Goldsmith.


Oliver Goldsmith ..................S Stuart Robson
Stuart Robson has a decidedly pronounced
Success in OLIVER Goldsmith. the new
vehicle written for him by Augustus
Thomas who is responsible for several
notable contributions TO the lore OF the
native stage. As revealed yester-eyening
at the Columbia Theatre. the effort bears
every promise of becoming the best thing
Mr. Robson has produced since Bronson
Howard furnished The Henrietta The
author of Alabama Arizona. The
Meddler." and Of various other pieces Of
similar worth, in oliver Goldsmith has
made distinct departure from his familiar
style. He has penned a story of more than
ordinary interest. and in a simple. direct,
and appealing manner. The Irish lad
who composed The Deserted Village
The Vicar of Wakefield " and she Stops
to Conquer finest poem. the finest
book. and the finest comedy Of his day
is generally known through his distiu-
guished contributions to literature and.
because OF these. is regarded some what in
the nature Of an idol. Ia transpGsing the
author from real life to the line back OF
the footlights. Mr.. Thomas does not shat
ter the popular ideal. nor does Mr. Robson
in his portrayal Of the titular role. Good
dramatist much he was in actual being
"a charming fellow: most agreeable Of
companions; lundering: always yOiCin:.
the wrong phase at an inopportuue mo
ment. and yet always giving practical EVIL
dence of his largensss of heart. The pres
entatiou moves really and quietly. but
without any yarisemblauee of tedium. II
the work leaves one thought uppermost in
the mind of the average auditor. that
a.. Il.
last, is a clean play; brilliant and spark
ling and dainty in sentiment, but always
clean" After a deluge of imported nasti-
ness and exhibited domestic infelicity.
such an Offering as is this latest. in all
honesty is a blessing. The amusement
loving public owes Mr. Thomas a debt of
gratitude.
'Oliver Goldsmith" is in three acts. The
first occurs in the home Of Mr.. Feather
stone. at Blackheath. where the characters
are introduced. Mr.. Boswell. Edmund
Burke. DIR. Johnson David Garrick and
other. contemporaneous celebrities are
members OF a house party. oliver Cold
smith shortly knocks at the door OF tue |
dwelling. having mistaken 1t for tavern. !
In this error he is humored for some time, ;
and when the matter is cleared up. the
situation strikes him as being suited TO a
comedy This. as those who are acquaint- /.
tive of "She Stoops to Conquer" the in |
spIration for which Is thus cleverly. ex- |
blamed and utilized. The second scene {
is located on the stage at CGvent Garden. |
during the rehearsal OF the piece and |
there is brought out the fact that the pro- !
duction is violently opposed. the manager |
and his friends believing that the play is !
foredoomed. This bit furnishes few of |
those amusing incidents of theatrical /
rehearsal so much relished by an audi Z
ence. however Objectionable they may be |
on the ground that they are likely to ere
ate sense OF dlsillusionment which is
not Just to tho art The concluding act /
discloses Goldsmith's garnet in Pinch
Lane. where the novelist is shown reduced
to absolute want. In this portion are in
troduced episodes which tend to prove his
kindness and generosity, even while dis
tressed by the presence of baiiifs. But re-
lief comes vita the arrival OF Mary Hor-
neck and the consequent betrothal.
Stuart Robson's Goldsmith is n remark
able creation: perhaps the best that he has
given for many years. None OF his many !