The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-02
AT THE THEATRES.
The Mathematician Rehan.

| 1t is not often that the product of an
American playwright meets with ques-
| tionable success i'm his own country, goes
to England where it makes one of the
| substantial hits of the season, and comes
| back again to introduce one of the most
| talented native actresses of the DAY
after a temporary retirement This. how
ever. is the rather unique record of
| Sweet Nell of Old Drury.' which was
presented at the National Theatre last
night by Ada Rehan. The audience that
applauded with a viEor that bespoke a
genuine appreciation was large and dis
eliminating and found in the work of
Miss Rchan a real delight. Although at
times the piece is incoherent and might
truly he said to be weak. structurally, its
interest is never allowed to flag. and it
possesses so many effective situations and
the lines are frequently so brilliant that
the offering is most enjoyable.
OF course. Miss Rehan is the star and
upon her falls the major share of the
work. and it is only due this very able
actress to state that she more than full
fills every requirement. Without her the
performance might be expected to suffer
collapse at almost any moment But
she is on the stage a great deal, and is
cess is unquestioned. In all her scenes
She is capital, hut especially so in the
passages with the King and his eourtiers
and in the encounter with her rivals, the
Duchess of Portsmouth and Lady Cas-
tlemaine. When the dramatist calls her
to display unusually dramat tic moments,
the former DAILY favorite is right at home,
while in some of her lighter periods she
Is very delightful She adopts Il semi
burlesque air when She is supposed to
personify Jelreys. aud gives her audi
ence a most enjoyable scene. In all her
work Miss Rehan exhibits delicious eN-
uberance of spirits. miSchieVouS hunor,
and an audacious ruilleTy-ail the accom-
plishments. in fact, that have won for
her the enviable reputation she possesses
as one of the very best of native
treSses, The production of the kester
play is commendabie If for nothing more
than the splendid opportunities it affords
Miss Rehan.
In Mr. kester's play Nell Gwyn appears
chiefly in the guise of good angel
throughout the four acts. The chief love
interest centres around Sir Roger Fair
fax and Lady Olivia Vernon, who possess
very ardent affection for each other.
and for whom Nell even risks the patron
age of the King. OF course. there are
any number of situa lions calculated to
display the impudence of the warm-heart-
ed, impetuous woman. and some of these
are exceedingly well planned. The play
viii not bring to Mr.. Kester any great
II.
and Were it not for the undoubted genius
of Miss Rehan ii would he little better
than popular priced entertainment The
ma ma gement has been generous in the
matter of scenic environment and cos
tunes, the latter being especially elabo-
rate and correct. so far as the historical
character Is concerned.
The supporting company is good. Henry
Jewett. White Whittlesey. and NJ L.. AL
sop heading the male portion of the cast,
while Marian Neshitt- very agreeable
and capable young actress, is seen TO
much advantage as Lady Vernon. Mr.
s Interpretation of the role of
king Charles is most. praiseworthy. Ale
brings TO the part the benefit of a dis
iinSuished personal appearance. while he
reads his lines intelligently and with "A |
appreciation of humor. Mr. |
Jewett fails to convince his audience that
he is not playing "A comedy role most OF |
the time, and his work as Lord Jeffreys
viii never be regarded as an achievement
The Roger Fairfax of Mr.. Alsop is ex-
cetient, while the Rochester OF Charles
h. Gotthold is a conventional characteri-
cation William Elton gives a good pic
ture OF low comedian His Perciyal is |
an admirable character drawing and one
OF the small bits of the performance that 1
assumed an Importance by reason of his |
clever work. Blanche Burton as the
Duchess of Portsmouth. and Louise ORA
per rs Lady CBStlemaine are acceptable
while The rest of the cast is satisfactory
There VIII be matinee performances of
Sweet Nell of Old Drury'' tomorrow
and Saturday.