The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-02
AT THE THEATRES.
The CoIumbia-"Her Majesty

! Captain Jensen ..................M Morton Seitcn
| Max Hsrtung. George Pauncefort
! Papa Schmidt. Frank lltch
Countess Sidonia Zeil-zeil. .......Agnes Mccarthy
! Countess Isabel Won Bassenheim. Lillian Grant
Baroness Valerie Sanguszko. Louise Lloyd
! Countess Rosa de Bassaraba. Agnes Mark
Mile Jacqueline D'AbTantes. .Berta Hobson
! Countess Hernangilda Won Weld. Helen Harrington
! Nanon ........-................M Mary Davis
Sister Agatha. Annie Mlfiin
Fernando Eliscu
! Big Pauline. .......--.-......-.-Nora Dunbiane
ilrcela May Arthur
/ i.arinda Helen Donaldson
Emil lpeIl
sergeant BEindt. ..-.--.........---.De De Lewis
Her Majesty,' viewed for the first
| time at the Columbia last night, is
Play that will achieve large measure
of success and do much toward placing
Grace George among the foremost of
native actresses. 1t was accorded
| flattering and wholly deserved reception
| by capacity audience that included
many representatives Of official Wash
ington. Every element conducive to
| success was present. The management
had surrounded Miss George with
company of players of recognized merit;
! an adequate equipment OF brilliant cos-
tunes and elaborate scenery furnished
| series OF glittering stage pictures. while
| Playwright CIarke's contribution proved
TO be a notable addition to con. temporary
eous dramatic literaLIre The assem-
blage was quick to appreciate all that
had been done to provide a good per-
Torrance, and applause was plentiful
throughout the four acts.
Sir. Clarke's play. made over from
Elizabeth Knight Tompkins' sketchy
4 AF.G.4 IL Il a
| specimen of latter-day stage romantic
ism. 1t has many tense situations and
| altogether delightful episodes, with re-
! lieving flashes of humor, and has
charm and subtle fascination that can
not but help win approval Concerning,
| as it does. the adventures of the girl
Queen of Nordennark it will prove
| doubly interesting to womenfolk who
who love womanly tenderness and
womanly devotion in women Of such in
dependent character as that pictured by
Miss George.
The story of Her Majesty tells of
Honoria, Queen OF the mythical king
dom OF Nordenmark, 4 frank. fearless,
pure hearted. and unsophisticated girl
fresh from the seclusion of q convent,
but alert, courageous, quick witted. and
an independent thinker. and keenly alive
to the great responsibilities of her posi-
ton. She finds her subjects disturbed
by discomfort which closely borders
upon revolution, a condition due to a
large extent to the plottings of an am
bilious and scheming prime minister. 1t
is distrust of her chosen advisers which
prompts her TO go about incognito
among the people, seeking by personal
investigation to solve their true condi-
ton Inevitably she finds herself the
central figure of numerous stirring and
exciting episodes of much dramatic in
tensity, and is imperiled by imprison-
ment through the service of a general
warrant she has been induced TO sign
for the apprehension OF those supposed
to be plotting. reasonably against her.
Through all these trying experiences
she preserves the secret of her own
identity and by her keen wit and courage
not only extricates herself, but young
nObleman of socialistic views, with
whom she falls in love- and who risks his
life for her in the belief that she is a
commoner. In the end he becomes her
most loyal defender in an hour of politi-
cal crisis which results in the overthrow
OF corrupt ministry and the content
ment of the people under her wise and
just rule. The love story. of course, ends
as all love stories should, but not until
the suspense of uncertainty has been
sk1ilfuily maintained to the final fail of
the curtain
The role of the young queen. Honoria.
is eapitally portrayed by Grace George. an
actress practically unknown to the ma
jority of local theatregoers Her Honoria
Is an ingenious young girl. drawn much
after the description of the character in
the book, of whom Miss Tompkins saws
One would never have thought of her
being queen; she was too modern, too
full OF life. she might have been Glib
son girl! Miss George has been fa-ored
by nature with a girlish figure. SYM
pathetic voice, and an ingenious manner
that fit admirably into the role She
never INDUCES in theatres In the scenes
wherein she is called upon to face several
intense situations. she accomplishes the
desired result in precisely the same man
ner one would expect in flesh and blood
young girl in the same circumstances
Undoubtedly were the part in the hands
OF maturer actress, i. would be present.
ed with an entirely different conception, a
portrayal that might appeal to the gal
leryites bit more than does Miss
Georges quiet, effective style, but the
dominant tone of naturalness. which per-
vades all of her work would be absent
Either Mr.. Clarke, in constructing Her
Majesty" sized up Miss Georges abilities
most accurately or else she is an extra
ordinarily clever young woman, for 1t Is
not extravagant praise to say that she
GefISnled last night audience as per
haps no other actress whose name can be
recalled at the moment could have done |
Frank Worthing. who has been seen OF
late years in parts which have lot af-
forded him opportunities for work in the |
romantic fed, pleasantly astonshed his |
friends by the excellence OF his interpre- /
tation of the role Of Hitler. the friend of /
the common people. Frazer Coulters (
Baron Hausman is a crafty prime minis |
ter. Frank Hatch. a character actor of I
splendid methods, makes striking Papa |
Schmidt. An idea OF the pains Manager !
Brady has taken to provide capable com /
pany is illustrated in the cases Of Morton I
Selten, for many years prominently iden- I
titled with Z. II. Sotherns SUCCESSES and |
Ernest Hastings, one of the ablest CT the !
younger native actors These Two artists |
are entrusted with small parts that. in the |
hands OF less qualified players would be |
passed by almost unnoticed but as given |
last night they were admirable bits of /
characterization. 1t is n difficult task to |
single out individuals for especial men |
tion in a cast Of such general merit but /
it would be an unappreciative chronicler |
who did not include in the list of those |
whose work is noteworthy the names of |
George Osbourne. Ben r. Graham, George /
P&uncefort. Berta Robson augusta de |
Forrest, Fernando Elscu, Nora DunbIane. |
and Mary Davis.
Nationalist Royal Roguev
"a ROYAL Rogue" which received its |