The times., 1901-06-04
The Lafayette-'sHecause She Loved
Him So"

From the soothing atmosphere of Au-
gustus Thomas Alabama" to William
Gillette's clever comedy, Because She
Loved Him So is a wide jump, but not
too great one for the Lafayette stock
company, as was evidenced by last
nights performance when an audience
that packed the house laughed long and
heartily ct the many intricate and clever
y conceived situations. The piece is
truly a much mixed affair, and, while to
the average audience, it may APPEAR to
be an easy thing to play. it is in reality
from it's bare naturalness, one of the most
difficult offerings of the season, but, at
the same time, one of the most entertain
ing. 1t is a comedy pure and simple, and
the author has in very lucid way IL
Illustrated the narrowing consequences of
jealousy, and how. II the twinkling of
an eye, happy home may be turned into
hOtbed Of misery and discomfort.
Because She Loved Him So is an
adaptation made by Mr.. Gillette from a
pay that was formerly enacted in Eng
land under the title OF The Dove Cote"
which scored quite success on the other
side. Gillette has earned the reputation
Of being thorough in whatever he under
takes. and whether faShioning a melo-
drama or playing its hero, this habitual
completeness asserts itself to the graft
ficatiOn Of those who go to judge his
work. The present offering of the stock
company Is not an exception. The author
started out to build comedy, or rather
to make q new one frcm Old material
and one that would send an audience
away in good spirits, and he succeeded
remarkably well. The interest never lags.
One has no time for serious reflection
and. indeed, Il is as much as one can do
to keep account of the fast succeeding
incidents. The coarseness noticeable in
so many like comedies Is conspicuously
absent in Because She Loved him SO.
and It is doubtful if a more acceptable
warm weather Offering could have been
selected.
After enacting two quiet roles Edwin
Arden is cast for Oliver West, the young
husband who attempts to prove his absO-
Lutte devotion to his wife despite circum-
stances which seem conclusive to the
contrary and which are even a greater
mystery to him than to her This is the
role which Mr.. Arden originated when
the piece was first produced in this
country. He has done such splendid work
trayal of the young husband last night
did not come as a surprise. 1t served,
however 10 present him and his talents
in a far different light, and he scored
heavily. He IS at ease, and. indeed, is so
natural under all circumstances that he
impresses one with the idea that he has
not studied at all, hut just happened to
drop in in time to be party to the
cyen.s in progress. Mr.. Arden has Sc
cured q. firm hold on the esteem Of the
local public, and his work is source Of
Minnie Radcliffe has the role Of the wife,
who causes all the trouble by her un-
couquerable Jealousy. Miss Radcliffe
managed to keep things moving at a
pretty lively gait and gave a spirited con
ception OF the character. Robert Rogers
and Miss Louise Macintosh appear to
excellent advantage as the wife's parents
and who, after thirty years of welded
bliss, are suddenly plunged into real
quarrel. Their scenes We're well carried
and their stimulation of anger very anus
ing.
An event OF much interest was the in
itial appearance of BijOu Fernandez. who
has just concluded a successful season
with Amelia Bingham's company in The
Climbers. Last night she played the role
of Sonora Arelna Gonzales. whose ap-
pearance in the charmed circle Of the
old folks home helps TO complicate mat
ters. Miss Fernandez enacted this role IN
the original production and her work as
the fascinating Spaniard proved her to be
a valuable acquisition to the Lafayette
company. Wright Kramer gives a well
defined delincation of Edward Marsh,
who is in love with the Sonora, and Hans
Roberts, whom Washington knows ana
claims did exceedingly good work as Tom
Weatherby. Agnes Scott created a dis
tinct impression as Julia Langley, the "st-
lent" girl, and Violette Kimball played
Susan. Ada Boshell, another newcomer.
handled an Irish servants part very
cleVerly, and Myron Lefiingwell, Horace
Newman. and Henrietta Newman were
congenially cast. Matinees tomorrow and
Saturday.