The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-06
AT THE THEATRES.
CoIumbin-~A colonia, GIRL


Sir Henry Eanvers ................ Duncan Harris
British Officers and Soldiers.
captain Beaufort .-.-.-............ Duncan Harris
Lieutenant hent .-...-......-....... Barton Drew
| Sergeant Noakes ....-.............. c. w Lynch
Molie Heddu ........... Grace Freeman
Lady Sarah keteitas Helen King Russell
Lady Judith DanVers ..-........... Eleanor Carr
Persons who have done more than glauc,
at the list reproduced above probably will
wonder. with portion of the audience
that saw Howard Gould play "A Colonial
Girl last night at the Columbia Theatre.
whether or not the authors of the work in
tended the singular arrangement of this
index as a reflection on the army that in
yaded New York during the Revolution
Certainly the plan of grouping the indi-
viduais OF that army apart from the east
| of characters" might be taken by the sus-
picious as an imputation that the British
| officers and soldiers had no characters
The reason for such a conclusion, hoS--
ever. is somewhat lessened by the fact
that the name OF the only real scoundrei
given TO the English has been allowed to
stray upward among those of the more re-
spectacle creations. For the spectators of
yester-eyening this must have been a
| necessary denial OF the indicated contempt
felt for the foreigners by Grace Furniss
and Abby Sage Richardson.
Happily too. for the honor of the red
coats, there was added evidence in tho
verify that, in so far as "A Colonial Girl
is concerned, the reputation of British
officers and soldiers" is of but little mo-
ment. The offering is romantic
and not patriotic melodrama. Its story
as may be reccilected by those who wit
messed e. Fl. Sothern's production-does
not deal with knavish Hessians and heroic
minute-men and women fond of yoicing
their devotion in loud tones and the light
OF the calcium. The tale merely has to 10
with a Godfrey Remsen, who returns from
the land of King George to a rich estate
and plighted cousin who has married a
title: who then. out of spite. weds a coul-
try girl whom he has known an hour IN
der circumstances suggestive of impro-
priety and she Stops to Conquer" who
is robbed of the affection of his wife when
that wife learns why she was chosen and
is taught even to suspect her fidelity: who
escapes from British officers and soldiers
TO whom ne has been denounced as a spy.
and who finally discovers that his cousin
ana not his spouse was the cause of this
pursuit in time to curse the one and be re-
united with the other. The most dastardly
Englishman created is Captain Lovelace.
who tries to win Mrs. Remsen Briefly, "a
Colonial Girl is rothing more than con-
ventional Scther1. presentation, which.
whatever may be the critical judgment
passed on it, contains enough sentimental
speeches, dark designs, costly costumes.
shining swords, internal intrigues. exciting
episodes and hidden beart's-love to have
thoroughly delighted the assemblage of last
night.
AS has been implied Howard Gould as
sumes tie role In which the Knight of
Noise was seen two years ago at the Lafay-
cite. He improved on Mr.. Sothern In '-Tns ]
Prisoner OF Zenda." and he improves on
him in "a Colonial Giri''-though not so
much. Mr.. Goulds chief deficiency is in |
comedy. He reads his romantic lines and |
enacts his romantic bits with spirit and |
discretion. Some of these same readings, |
however, show want of thought that hardly /
is applicable in SO clever a player The |
speech. Captain Lovelace is not fit to be |
any woman's friend, from the second scene.
was given as badly as Mr.. Sothern used to
give the words, Conduct this lady-she is
not my Wife in THE Lady of Lyons
There are a few other bits deserving OF MIR
Gould's attention. Grace Freeman proved
quite inadequate to the opposite part
while fault might be found also with Al
bert Perry, Robert CONFESS. Bratton Ken
nedy. and Helen King Russell. The rest
of the company is efficient. the old men OF
Charles C. Brandt and Duncan Harris and
the cousin Of Eleanor Carr being especially
an,,. jfa.p - |