The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-06
AT THE THEATRES.
ooiumb,.-"Mr. smooth

tOiumbta-.Nr. Smooth
Joe fatiern. Willie Collier
| .oineiius smooth .Georgc W. Parsons
Arthur Shilieigh.. ............-.....Iohn =. Ward
rank Chillcigh. Alfred Hickman
4 Glib NJ + IIrter4
not .i41wrcEce Sheehan
nosc ,huteigh. Helena Cclec
4 angelica Chilleigh. Helen Reimer
MIS- iahgdcn. May
vera 'ane- Louise Allen Collier
Now that theatregoers have reached a
condition OF sagacity at which they seek
for hidden morals in Ibsen. claim to have
found political arguments in Wagner. and
promise 20 value Shakespeare solely for
the light his works throw on the customs
and manners of his time. it is but meet
to attempt the discovery of what par
ticulariy deep and designing ambition has
prompted Contemporary farce-writers to
their labors.
The scholarly in the large and appre-
ciative audience that witnessed Willie
Golfers performance of MIR Smooth
yester-eyeuing at the Columbia may think
they have solved the problem. Possibly
the breezy authors of today will be the
historians of tomorrow. When. by the
current gradual and tedious process. the
human race has been perfected. It's i'm
proved individuals may go to the play
house. there to learn. from those who have
learned by tradition, that once the earth
held men sharp enough to lie and men dun
enough to believe them; spinsters Of aerid
temper and deceivers of saceharine as
sumption; buffers with mongrel accents
and-and various other types that have
ceased TO exist. II ever they existed. but
that still form foundations on which are
constructed iunumersble hilarious offer-
ings. In the course of thousand years
or SO, the productions containing these
characteristics will be likely to be esti-'
mated as of priceless worth. just at pres
ent. while the aforesaid productions may
instigate such sage reflections as are those
above. their tendency is to cause the wish
that really clever farce-nakers sometimes
had originality mixed in their genius for
arrangement.
The truth that "Mr. Smooth" rentro-
duces every conventional creation named
and half dozen that have not been named.
together with situations natural under the
circumstances. and that have always been
deemed natural under similar circum-
stances. constitutes the single defect-n
defect IL may be ealled-in the theme and
treatment of the vehicle. Avowedly con-
ceived only for laughing purposes. the
piece certainly achieves its end in that IL
is irresistibly funny; thEt last night its
fun never successfully resisted for
moment. AIR. Collier who is responsible
for the play, as well as for its rendering.
has evidenced no effort toward literary
excellence or secreted moral Without be-
ing similar to THE Governors" or to The
Floor Walkers" his brain-child rather re-
minds one OF the compilations OF Ward
and Vokes in that IT consists of series
of decidedly trifling situations strung upon
a line of the brightest. crispest dialogue
imaginable. This talk is the chief virtue
of the work. and there is great deal OF
il. Every character presented possesses
his popularity. and upon that oddity rests
his or her portion of the interpolated hu-
mora shutters and originates all the
suffering jokes. b is a virago and suffers
various witty reproaches. c is not overly
sensible and is chided in language laden
with the provocatiOn for mirth. The re-
suit is constant cross-fire of repartee
that with the genuine ingenuity of several :.
incidents and the admirable impersona-
tons of an exceptional east quite makes
the most captious forget the familiarity of
the plot.
Briefly. the story in question turns upon
the adventure of Joseph Pattern. who
learning that a wealthy banker. Arthur
Chilleigs intends providing for the son Of
an old business partner Cornelius Smooth, !
unblushingly assumes the cognomen and |
biography OF the fortunate gentleman. who |
happens to be q near relative The decep |
ton is carried through with more than !
ordinary naturslness and Dlausibility. even |
though as WIS to he expected, the real !
Mr.. Smooth complexities matters By ap-
pearing at divers ino9portune times. |
Finally. however. having evaded mar
rage with Mr. Chilleigh's sour sister. the !
bogus Mr. Smooth wins the charming /
daughter OF the family. and the farce ends |
in the accustomed manner.
The tale and its complications are so per- |
fectly- enacted by Mr. Collier and his as
sistants that the auditor is half afraid OF |
misplacing the credit when' he declares |
that he has laughed at the play. instead Of |
at the players. The star still gains his |
effects through quiet. suggestive method
that constantly recalls the late James
Lewis. Having been written for him. the
piece fits to tightness and the lines are read |
with inmitable comprehension. Mr.. Col
lier never has been seen to greater advan-
tage. In the long supporting cast there is !
not a single weak spot. though the best |
work done is that OF John +. Ward. Thomas
Evans and Helen Reimer. a one while |
stock favorite. Alfred Hickman. another
summer visitor is good in a juvenile role,
and the remainder of the company do more
than give full value TO what undoubtedly
is the most interesting farce of the season
Mrs Sarah Cowell LeMoyne next.