Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-10-30

ADJUSTMENTS.

COLUMBIA THEATER.-Tim Murphy is
always heartily welcomed in this his home
city. His career has been one of steady
advancement, the parts he assumed from
season to season having marked regular
progression from the mere facility of the
mimic to the art of the comedian. 1t would
scarcely have been predicted some years
ago that Mr.. Murphy, whose dry humor
formed so important and overshadoWing an
element Of his personality, would be sue
cessfu in role requiring much delicate
pathos that of David Holmes in "A
Bachelors Romance" Yet he had never
failed to set his foot firmly on each sue
ceeding rung of the artistic ladder, and in
this case he stands sure-footed as ever.
The higher attitudes of his profession do
not cause him to lose the composure and
ease which so agreeably characterized his
work when he was plain Maverick Brander
in "A Texas Steer when he played the
politician in The Carpet Bagger." The
retirement of Sol Smith Russell from the
stage made an opening which no other
actor than Mr.. Murphy could fill with sue
cess. and his installment in this play is a
bit of good fortune for himself, for Rus
sells manager, Mr.. Berger, and for the
public at large Mr.. Murphy plays the part
Of David Holmes with respectful regard to
the traditions established by his popular
predecessor. The personalities of Mr. Rus
sell and Mr. Murphy have much in common
Their work depends to great degree on
the quaint humor expressed by voice and
gesture, and on the swift and seemingly
unstudied play of facial expression. which
convey idea of simple individuality
rather than of studied impersonation. Mr.
Murphy is enabled by this natural resem-
blance of his style to that of Mr. Russell
to present much the same picture of the
gentle, unworldly bookworm that play
goers have been used to. Yet his work is
not in the slightest sense initiative. 1t has
all the vim and sparkle of original crea-
"A R9rhplpr'S Rnm9nce'' is ms
rank among plays which was not expected
of 1t when 1t was first exploited. 1t wears
well. and the various interpretations of the
part of David Holmes present an interest
ing field of comparison. Mr.. Murphys sup
porting company includes a number of
players whose names are well known in
connection with good work in the past.
Dorothy Sherrod plays the part of Sylvia.
Louise Thorndyke Boucicault impersonates
the widow with the finished grace which
she bestows on whatever she undertakes.
W. II. PaScoe played the scapegrace brother
with ability and Percy Brooke was very
good IN the pathetic character part of
Martin. The production Is a meritorious
and interesting one, rendered so almost en-
tirely by the performance of Mr.. Murphy
whose work leaves nothing to be desired.
NEW NATIONAL THEATER.-The box
office Of the New National Theater is now
open for the purpose of refunding money
for seats purchased for E. H. Sotherns
Hamlet" or for an exchange for seats for
Maclyn ArDuCkleS appearance IN The
Srrightly Adventures of Marsac' next
week A large number of people have made
the exchange of seats In preference to re-
ceiving a repayment The presentation Of
Miss Sewel's play next Monday will be the
first on any stage.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE.
What promises to be most excellent pro-
duction of the romantic drama. Countess
Valeska" played by Miss Julia Marlowe
for two years was seen last night at the
Lafayette Square Opera House with the
members of Mr.. BergerS stock company in
the various roles. The audience a
large one and already the people in front
have arrived at good terms with the prin-
cipals of the stock organization. Each was
welcomed with applause last night, and the
great interest manifested in the individual
work shows that the stock company has
even this soon become firmly established on
a foundation of permanency. When it is
said, however, that the Countess Wales
ka'' promises to be pleasing and to become
a production of excellent merit such is
literally TRUE. Last evening the perform
ance, notwithstanding the heroic effects of
the three persons intrusted with carrying 1t
to success, was sadly marred by the stupid
work of a super, who must have been a
vacancy, for it can hardly be possible such
a director as Mr.. Bellows has shown HIM
self to be would wilfully trust such a man
that awful person last evening with q
speaking and acting part. AS Ill luck would
have 1t this super was on the stage per-
force during the more exciting and thrill
ling scenes Of the play-scenes upon which
the whole plot hinged. The supers appear
ance and actions imDelled laughter from