The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-18
FRIENDS OF LAST WEEK.

On one occasion the writer asked Ida
Conquest if beauty was necessary 20 the
theatrical success Of woman. II don't
know" replied Miss Conquest, promptly.
at shouldn't be"
Until Sarah COwell lie Moyne made her
hit in THE Moth and the Flame how
ever. the average student was justified in
believing personal charm an essential. The
top of the histrionic ladder never seemed
TO have been reached without it. Olga
Nethersole. Viola Allen. and Isabel lry-
ing all are good to look upon; there is
much that is attractive about Minnie Mad
dern Fiske. Annie Russell. and Effie Shan
non; Sarah Bernhardt. Charlotte Wolter,
and even Mrs. Gilbert were handsome
when they achieved reputation. Sensuality
appeared TO be the principal factor in the
financial and artistic triumph Of MAORI
ty Of actresses. The admittance was hii-
initiating, but apparently 1t was only hon
est.
Mrs. lie Moyne reluted all th7se IDEAS.
Mrs. lie Moyne is not homely hy = great
deal and doubtless. she is no older than
are many of the country's face-and- figure
celebrities. but she is d matron. and Is not
ashamed to acknowledge the fact COnse-
quently. the impression she createj con-
stituted most pleasant argument aid
the argument was not less potent because
the new star is a player of sucr inie.ii-
gence and ability that her failure would
have been hard to understand. Her quail
ties are not OF a nature TO make up TO wOr-
shippers OF the sensual what they may have
considered lost in the way of youth and
physical perfeetness The verify that her
work found appreci3tors because it was
excellent work is sign that should be
comforting TO individuals who really love
the art OF the theatre because it is q fine
art.
The Virginia Bryant of Mrs. lie Moyne
proved quite as womanly and dignified and
wholesome as was her Duchesse de Coutras
in Catherine" IL was a combination OF
delicious humor of very subdued pathos
and of dramatic force that was the more
convincing because its foundation was not
In vigor but in suggestion. Subtle touches
and pretty distinctions characterized her
entire performance. as did deicacy and
grace and finish. Nothing could have eX-
reeded the aptitude with which she be-
trayed comprehension of every trifie in the
lines she read so naturally, and in SO ex-
pressive voice. The average actress. for
example. would have saecharined the
scene between the mother and her two sons
until it would have been sickening. Mrs.
her key from the words MY. but aren't
we polite this morning." gave her speeches
10 the exerted boys with whimsical wit
that candidly was delightful The
Duchess is a remarkable Thesplan and
as has been said, her success is pleasing
TO contemplate.
The presence OF c. ". williams at Ker-
mans with the New York Stars" brought
TO mind the verify that no stage per
Torrance is more purely fake" than is
that given by so-called i'ventrilouuists.
Generations of these individuals. aided and
abetted by their press agents. have sue
ceeded in convincing the public that their
labor is the art of throwing the voice
to the figures with which they work. As a
matter of fact. no such thing is possib e.
The effect is produced simply by altering
the tone, and at the same time direct
ing the attention of the spectator to some
prominent object. The imagination Of the
auditor does the rest. A very few of these
entertainers really have talent for this de-
ception, though. in most instances. the
ability is greatly exaggerated. Even the
celebrated Valentine Vox. of humorous
fame. never could have accomplished half
of what was attributed to him. The aver
age professional merely has impotence
three or four badly-psinted dummies and
score of cid jokes. He can no more
throw his voice" than he miYht throw"
his sense of taste. To convince oneself
of this. one has only to close his or iler
eyes while hearing a speciality akin to tina,
OF Mr.. Williams.
II is too bad That authors will write be- |