Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-20

anu convincing personality OIL SIllitlte
self it would be dreary, unless it were
acted badly enough to make it comic. But
nothing goes wrong. The dark changes with
the gradual Illumination and unfamiliar
thrills of suspense to the interest which at
taches to the career of this fascinating,
though impossible, gentleman. There is
some legitimate character interest in the
consideration of Holmes as a victim of drug
habits strongly tempted to marry girl who
loves him. But this interest is subordinat-
ed. 1t might easily spoil the play an
applause producer, and this it undoubtedly
is from start to finish. Its most severe
critic could not deny its interest-compelling
qualities. nor the pleasure which attaches
to Gillette's finished performance of the
principal part. Olive Oliver was in the cast,
and she proved herself capable of realizing
the melodramatic villainess with much
grace. The difficulties which beset the per-
former of a subordinate role in melodrama
are many and In nearly all cases they were
ably overcome George Vessels gives a
picture of the arch criminal, Professor Mo-
riarty, which is perhaps the more artistic
and probable because it is not drawn on
the conventional romantic lines. Consid-
cred purely as means of relaxation ''Sher-
lock Holmes" is one of the most satisfacto-
ry productions that many seasons have de-
veloped.
COLUMBIA THEATER.-Any preacher
could be proud of having for a congrega-
ton such an assemblage that which
crowded the Columbia Theater to its ca
pacity last night. Washington's home
folks turned out to greet The Old
Homestead" In this respect the audience
was a notable one. and no preacher per-
haps. could have found a better text than
that conveyed by the sweet, old play or
have delivered more powerful sermon than
Denman Thompson did in his famous por-
trayal of Joshua Whitcomb. nor would he
have found a more universal response to
his efforts. Peculiarly domestic gathering
the audience was sympathetic to a super
lative degree. Laughter. joyous and unre-
strained. greeted the quaint. homely humor
with which the play is replete and moist
eyes found stage and actors blurred at the
tender and touching passages. 1t is need
less to tell the story of THE Old Home
stead 1t is a pastoral when looked at
with eyes like those which watched it
last night. Simple, faithful depletion of
rural life in New England surrounding the
return of the modern prodigal is its theme
and in this case the father did not await
the sons return, but went in search OF
him. impelled by a love that knew not only
forgiveness. but forgetfulneSs of the past
Denman Thompson in his portrayal of
Joshua Whitcomb, the sturdy. honest, simple,
yet ShreWd old farmer was as true as Virile
and as inspiring as he ever was. If time
has touched him at all it has been with
tenderness, and the countless thousands he
has charmed will pray that its caresses
may long continue to be as gentle. HIS
support is excellent Particularly good
from every point of view was the portrayal
OF Cy Prime by Charles Carter. Emnently
satisfactory also were Charles H Clark as
and collected Aunt Matilda and Mr.. Frank
Knapp Eb Gauzy, the whistling, gawky
country boy, who made Cy's life burden.
In the church scene in the third act THE
Palms" was effectively rendered by Mr..
S. J. Bennett and the singing of The Old
Homestead Double Quartet was received
with pronounced favor.
LAFAYETTE SQUARE THEATER.-A
revival of English melodrama, so popular
several years ago, is witnessed at the La
fayette Square Theater in THE Great
Ruby The play is in five acts and four
teen scenes, by Cecil Raleigh and Henry
Hamilton 1t kept the audience in their
seats last night until 1915 o'clock. While
The Great Ruby is modelled along the
general lines of the old melodramas, 1t diff
fers in some particulars. and the depart
ures are in the direction Of improvement.
Prosecuted innocence is lacking, the peo-
pie who get into trouble doing so through
their own folly. Then. the stock villain IS
a syndicate and their righteousness con-
Quoted in a manner to finally leave sense
of pity for the chief participants Realistic
features there are in plenty. \ tally-ho,
drawn by four horses, driven and turned
upon the stage; cabs bicycles, race horses
and a runaway accident. Finally, a bal
loon ascension with a desperate battle in
the clouds between two men, one of them
falling apparently from dizzy height, is
placed before the eyes of the audience.
The plot is elaborate. interesting and
worked out in a consistent ana rapld man
ner. 1t hinges upon the theft Of ruby
Of great value. the robbery occurring in
the first act. with the details plain to the
audience. From that moment the ruby Is
visible to the audience most of the time. 1t
is paraded under the nose Of the detective
from Scotland Yard who is searching for 1t,
is once in the possession OF the wife OF
the original owner without her knowing
that fact, IS dropped around parlors and
hotel offices as package Of chocolates and
is within reach of several persons whose
whole object is to obtain 1t, but who
blssfully ignorant of its presence.
The play undoubtedly provides opportu-
nifty for the display Of the ability Of the ex-
cellent stock company which is holding the
boards at the Lafayette. Miss Blanche
Bates as the Countess Charcoff Is a spir-
tied, resourceful and bewitching adven-
turess, although repentant at the end, when
she kindes in the breasts of the audience
that feeling of pity said to be akin to the
sentiment she inspired In her victims.
Louise Macintosh as Lady Garnett scored
success in the sleep walking scene, diff
cult piece of work Alma Kruger as the
impressonable and romantic cashier of the
hotel, received applause which was de-
served. This young lady is demonstrating
her ability to share in the best work of the
company Walter Craven, as Morris Long
man. the head of the diamond gang" and
John T. Sullivan, as Police Inspector Brett,
divided honors with Eugene Ormonde, as
Prince kassim.
CHASE NEW CRA ND.-FrOm overture
to exit march the bill this week at Chase's
presents a splendid aggregation of enter
tanners, embracing most of the lines of
work that are being followed In the vaude-
vile style of amusement. Comedy, singing
and dancing predominant. A noticeable and
particularly agreeable part of the perform
arce is the costuming. The various acts
are particularly susceptible of fine dressing.
and their enactors have lost no opportunity.
The interest in the bill centered in Fison
and Enroll. the leading feature, and the
monologue Of Digby Bell. Filson and Err
roll have already established themselves
In Washington popularity by past perform
ances, so it need only be said of them that
their sketch this season, "A House d.
vded." is comedy of exceeding merit and
Is presented with a true conception Of its
legitimate possibilities for fun. Marital in
felicity Is the theme. 1t seems the do
nestle hearth is never to be exhausted in
providing amusement for the playgoers.
H. S. Godfrey has a prominent part in the
sketch. Digby Bell found lot of his old
friends In the house last evening, and he
was given hearty reception when he APP
peared wreathed in smiles and robed In
Tuxedo suit. He started right in, and be-
fore the audience knew 1t almost he had
perpetrated a mother-in-law episode on
them. They took this liberty with good
heart, however, and as Digby soon got into
pawar hattar lines of ak ha mother