The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-13
AT THE THEATRES.
CoIunibin-'.The Greatest Thing In
the World''

.
Godfrey Townsend. Frederic DeBellcville
Dr. Chiselhurst, Werner Chrges
Madgc Chiselhurst ..-..............-..-H Hope Ross
They who went to the Columbia Theatre
yesterevening for the purpose of Witness
ing Sarah Cowell lie Moyne's performance
of Harriet Ford and Beatrice De Miles
THE Greatest Thing In the World and,
despite she disagreeably uncertain condition
Of the weather. these were many-should
have come away deal wiser than when
they entered. That the folk in question did
take advantage of this opportunity for learn
ing was evidenced in the drift of the con-
versation heard in the lobby during inter-
missions. and in the argument that con-
tinued after the play was over and the au-
dienee found itself in the wet street. There
were all sorts OF people in that audience
the considerable and the casual. the studious
and the stylish. the modish and the modest
but none seemed too far above common
humanity to feel the influence OF the moral
suggested or too far below to reason con-
corning 1t. Whether or not The Greatest
Thing in the World achieves the success
that its projectors deserve. there can be
no denying that, even as II stands at pres
eut. the theme is worthy of thought and the
story Of the sentiment it provokes.
Practically, there is no end to the num-
her and scope of the lessons TO which al
fusion has been made. The observing are
taught that almost absolute fidelity TO ma
ture does not necessitate faithlessness TO
art and that catering to the intelligence Oh
the few does not mean the inevitable us
favor OF the many. One is shown that the
limitations of social scenes and OF society
creations do not exclude everything except
English accent and well-modeled clothing;
that the drawing-room may contain emo
tions as strong and sorrows as bitter as
are in either the howell or the brothel- The
thoughtful are informed that brilliant
woman may compel the admiration OF thea
TRIGGERS as irresistibly as does beautiful
woman; that there are actresses whose
ability is so dominant and so potent as to
force its possessors past obstacles before
which their more-credited rivals would
falter All this becomes verify beyond
the reach OF Notwithstanding the per-
Torrance became an assertive certainty.
Liebler C Co. apparently had made
profitable star out of Sarah Coweil lie
Moyne, a matron of-of over forty. MIS-.
lie Moyne had appeared as a mother. and
had rendered interesting the tale of that
mothers surprising love. Think OF the as
surance in this fact-the assurance OIL
remaining decency on the part OF audi
ences and of the thorough efficiency OF the
player. Imagine Olga Nethersole winning
commentator by display of regard for
the sanctity of her home, Imagine Mrs.
Leslie Carter provoking tumutuous APP
plause through an exhibition OF affection
for two sons, one of them man OF
twenty-four.
1.-The Greatest Thing in the World. in
brief. is an appeal to what is most in
tellectuaI and wholesome and refined IN
human nature. Conceiving their story
and working 1t to a elimination. MISS
Ford and Mrs. De Mile have gone back
to the simplest and most primal tenets
They have dealt with filial and maternal
regard as that subject has not been dealt
with since the days OF the early English
dramatists. unless one except the Orient.
where the theme always has been eonsid-
cred fertile and desirable. As result
of this foundation and construction they
have not an offering that is likely to pro-
woke the critics to glaring headlines and
to columns OF praise. Perhaps they have
not the most virile and stirring effort
of which either or both may have been
capable. But they present piece tnati
demands the attention of the spectator
at the beginning of the first scene. that
is touching his heart-strings through the
second. that compels his feeling ana en-
thusiasm before the climax OF the third,
and that finally sends him away in the
belief that life holds ideals. and this
prosaic planet persons who. quietly. per-
haps. and stupidity. are fulfilling them.
THE Greatest Thing in the World does
not WELD the power of Emile lola. but IL
has the charm of James Lane Allen; II
does not bring the feverish interest
given James Gordon Byron, but the rest
full thought requisite to reading John
Greenleaf Whittier: IL does not command
the eye-aching gaze that might be heio
TO Melchers. but the loving glance be-
slowed upon Daubigny. The Greatest
Thing in the World has an atmosphere
that is rather that OF the open than OF
the ent-flled hot house, and therein lies
, the enhancement of whatever effect there
NAV be in its undoubted strength and
humanness.
The plet of the play deals with one of
those mothers whom the majority or
men have without appreciating. VIZ
giuia Bryant has married her badly
dissipated sutton, and by him has been
left with two sons. in both OF whom
are wrapped her hopes and her fears.
The fears rise from dread that either
lad may have inherited the appetites
Cecil. the elder boy. they are only too well
Justified The primal act Of the piece
shows a ball to which the young fellow has
taken the lady OF his loye-Helen McFdr-
land. the daughter Of bis brother Harold 5
guardian Mrs. Bryant. entering the room
finds that her boy slightly intoxicated. is
attracting notice. She does not weep
and she does not chids. but by Stimulating
ali of his hilarity saves him until, bit
~, ha has
ised to protect through the evening. Even
| then she screens him. ignorant that fall-
inc sill lower Cecil has falsiied a check
given him by Harold. David Mcfarland
has discovered this. however. and, his
stern sense of justice aroused, he Is
determined upon surrendering the crimi-
nal to the law. Mrs. Bryant has
begged the youth never to see Helen
until he has proven his command over
himself, and, having gone to explain
that TACT to her, she meets the guardian
and is told of Cecirs felony. To this con-
versation the forger seated behind piano.
il witness He hears The mother offer to
/ trade her hand to David Mcfarland, though
her heart is elsewhere. for the promise OF
| his liberty; hears her tell Helen that sire
| Cannot trust him to become the husband
| of good girl. Then. unable to control
| himself he steps forward. Historically.
rervously, Mrs Bryant attempts TO explain
his presence. until. quilted by the In
| dignant Helen. she turns on the caves
| dropper with a torrent of reproaches. re-
Dukes. and upbraidings that brings him to
his knees before her with the promise to
become a better man. And this promise Is
60 nnhly fulfilled that eventually. Cecil and
Helen are united in mutual respect ana
,rertion. while the seIf-sacrifcing cause of
| il all gives herself to the admirer of TWEEN
| ty-fve years Love" she explains. In the