The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-06
AT THE THEATRES.
The National "Thc SpriEhtly Ro-
nance of Marsac."

ut ueWSSt dSplI AIT lOI leCoSultioh na
a theatrical twinkler is Mac1yn Arbuckle
who, after a career in the Legitimate
drama. not to mention several seasons as
prominent interpreter of the Broadhurst
variety of humor. decided he was good
enough to have Autographs of his own,
and after viewing his admirable work in
the first production of THE Sprightly Ro-
nance of Marsac" at the National last
night. it must be admitted that Mr.. Ar
buckle is quite warranted in his assump-
ton. An audience of generous proportions
enjoyed the three-act play, arranged for
the stage by William Young. from Molly
Elliott Seawells story Of the same name,
which some years ago won prize offered
by Gotham newspaper, and which, quite
unlike the average prize tale, is of much
real merit, ingenious in conception and
construction. and has a vast fund Of cap
tivating fun. Miss Seawell's story has
lost none Of its amusing qualities in be-
ing transferred from between covers TO
the realm behind the footlights.
In presenting Mr. Arbuckle at the head
of The Sprightly Romance Of Marsac"
the management has been munificent in
the disbursement for scenery and the GUS
tomary accompanying stage properties and
accessories. 'Marsac" is rendered by an
exceptionally good lot Of players. and the
performance is one of the most wholly de-
lightful and enjoyable that can be i'm
agined. The fun is plentiful and almost
boisterous at times. Playwright Young
has supplied much OF the atmosphere Of
the Quarter Latin, in which section OF
the French metropolis the three scenes OF
the piece are laid. The comedy is always
cheerful. sprightly. frolicsome. There is
no tediousness allowed and brisk episodes
chase each other with a rapidity that is
little short of marvellous. AS distinctly
fun provoking. care-dispelling piece OF
dramatic literature. THE Sprightly Ro-
nance of Marsac' is to be commended
1t is a positive relief from the innumer-
able farces whose fun is of the trite
mistaken identity sort.
The story of the play concerns Marsac.
a journalist with clever pen but an in
sufficiency of wealth to satisfy the claims
of an rate landlady. Marsac has chum,
a roommate named Fontaine, an artist.
and conceives the brilliant idea of print
ing a story to the effect that the painter
has come into the possession of some
million OF francs through the death CT an
uncle in America The desired result Is
readily attained. All sorts of tradssmen
offer the impecuniOus young men credit,
and wealthy brewer. of whose daughter
Fontaine is fond, suddenly decides that
the artist is an eligible parti. The land
lady gets the supposed heir to sign
note for the rent due her. which later
proves to be contract to marry her
within thirty days. During the progress
of the second act. which occurs in
restaurant, the good woman whose rooms
Marsac and Fontaine have occupied, ap-
pears and denounces the couple as i'm
posters and supports her allegation by
the original draft of the story of Fon-
taine's good fortune, which she has found
in the waste paper basket. The situation
is complicated by the arrival Of the real
uncle. very much in the flesh, who gen.
erously offers to pose as the uncle of the
story. Not satisfied with this miX-up.
the confusion is increased by the inoppor-
tune arrival of the brewer. Duval. with
Marsac's sweetheart and his daughter. for
whom Fontaine has evidenced a warm
devotion, Just as a lot of dancers are
creating no end of diversion by their
merry pranks. After an almost inter-
minable tumble, the supposedly bogus I'M
Gle turns out to be the Simon pure ar
ticle and the curtain descends on Marsac
and Fontaine happy in the possession OF
the choice of their partners for the jour-
ney of life.
The role of Marsac affords Mr.. Arbuckle
many opportunities for the display of his
jocundity and il is but fair to state that he
seizes all such chances. The part is espe-
cially well adapted to his personality and
characteristics and the portrayal is easily
the best that he has done during recent
years. William J. Ferguson is Duval, the
wealthy brewer, a part that enables him
to exhibit his quite remarkable talents as
a character sketcher E. S. Abeles. who
has forsaken the musical comedy field,
temporarily at least. is capital Fontaine.
the artist whose mythical fortune is the
cause for the three hours amusement.
Horace Lewis and Henry Bergman. as the
uncle from America and the proprietor of
a restaurant, respectively, are a duo of
rare fun makers, and their efforts are espe-
cially pleasing in Marsac. Margaret Fuller.
a good looking young woman, makes a
charming picture as Delphine. the niece of
the brewer. She possesses talent OF a high
order and her righteousness is quite re-
freshing. Sandol Miiliken is a dainty,
lovable sort of a Claire, in love with the
artist Fontaine. Kate Lester is sufficiently
fiery and wrathful as the landlady. Anna
bel WhitfoTd is cast in small part, but
she makes it stand out and assume con-
Importance. Others of the COM
Ddny whose Work is worthy Oh mention are
Claude Brooke. William Landon. Charles
Chartras, John F. Denton, George Foster,
and Laura Clemens.
A rather unfortunate incident in connec-
ton with the performance was the curtain
speech of the stage manager who in re-
spouse to the demands of the audience for
a speech from the author responded to the
effect that the author was in New York.
whereas Molly Elliott Seawell, of this city,
whose creation Marsac is, was an occupant
Of one of the National boxes and was just
ready to speak few words OF thanks when
the stage manager made his announce
nent.