The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-05
The Lafayette-"A social Highway
man,

Capacity audiences have come to the
order of the day, or rather night. at The
Lafayette Theatre, where the stock com
pany under the management of Walter
Clarke Bellows is succeeding in winning
and retaining the favor OF the local pub
lie. Last night the first curtain revealed
to the members of the organization a
house full of friends, who. in turn. gazed
upon the luxurious first act of "A Social
Highwayman," Elizabeth Phipps Trains
story, converted into acting form by
Mary P. Stone, aud which had been re-
lected as the current weeks bill By the
stock company.
An attempt to compare a play with the
book from which it has been dramatized
usually proves detrimental to one or the
other but in the instance of a Social
Highwayman" comparison is almost out Of
the question. The acting edition follows
the story very closely, IL is true. but with
few exceptions the dialogue is the
adapters and not the authors. As is in
yariably the case in turning a book into
play, the situations are changed to more
perfectly fit them to stage purposes and
here it is done easily and smoothly, with
out in any way affecting the plot. The
seance by Mrs Deane. the medium is
rather novel innovation. and proved one
of the most effective scenes in the play.
while the meeting of Sonora Caprices and
jenkins Handy. the erstwhile jailbird Is
strong climax to the second act. and
was admirably done by Miss Moretti and
Mr. Sullivan
Eugene Ormonde plays Courtice Jaffrey
and so makes his initial departure from
virtuous roles. He piled his criminals
trade with such naturalness and ease last
night that the audience undoubtedly felt
relieved in the conviction that his opera
lions were TO be confined to the other side
of the footlights. Jenkins Handy, whom
Jaffrey takes into his service after serv-
ing on the jury which condemned the for
mer to years Imprisonment for theft.
was splendidly handled by John T. Sui
Ivan. Gratitude to the man who trusted
him. knowing what he was. and absolute
faithfulness to his masters interests.
good or otherwise. are Hanby's predomi-
nant characteristics during the action of
the play. and Mr.. Sullivan noted them
with delicate precision. Robert Rogers, in
Caroius Despard, added another TO his ex-
cellent characterizatlons. Charles Wyn-
gate was at home as Merton Harley and
John DAILY Murphy proved good Living
stone Remsen. Frederic Sullivan played
George Bartlett effectively and Walter
Craven gave a rather noisy reading of
Gordon Key.
In Elinor Burnham Miss Percy Hasvell
has role that suits her perfectly She
seemed to realize this as much as anyone
and played very delightfully."-. Miss Elean-
or Moretti, n newcomer for the week en- |
acted the role of Sonora Caprices, an ad-
venturess. Miss Morett possesses every |
requisite for such a part. She is of strk- |
ing appearance beautiful. and has we'll
modulated voice. The intelligence which
marked her scenes rendered the role is
signed to her one of prominence and
strength Miss Louise Macintosh sur
prised even her friends by her splendid
of Mrs. Deane. the medium.
The thanks OF the Lafayette's patrons. at
any rate. are due the dramatist for writ
ing in the part of Dora lie Fargo. Sonora
Caprices' pert little maid, which gives Miss
Grayce Scott a delightful but all too short
scene in the second act. Miss Field makes
a charming Duchess of Clayborough and
Miss Agnes Maynard an excellent Mrs.
Munyon Pyle. The women of the cast
wear some striking gowns which are mar