The Washington times., 1901-12-10
AT THE THEATRES.
Chnse's-icnrieuG Crosman in "Mis-
trcSs NcIi.''
CAsT 0F CMARAOTERs .


King Charles Henry ooI,aa ,,,i
James Gukc oi Yort.....-..........Ad Adds N fiit
Tuku ot Buckingham. -...... George S'lle spencer
Earl Of Eoch,stc........ Benjamin Hapgool Bur-
Strirrs Willlm Herbert
Dick rk......................... Theodore Thompson
Svaliow................ -1r'ut'A n.gh
Buzzard =. St'i',H
Landlord .......-..........-.-.-..F- y. htlarlHf
Lady Hamilton. sNttlt ld.,
Louise. Duchess OF Portsmouth h-.-..- 'desc hl,'h
Mol ;;l''lis W,
Nell GWIun- --s---......-,--,--lN Mis- S-'''ih
Washington has evidenced a sincere in
tercst in George Hazelton's merry play.
Mistress Nell" in which Henrietta
Crosman made a sensational success In
New York one rainy night last season,
because it was written in this city while
the author was practicing law here. and
also because Miss Crosman is 50 well
known in army circles of the Capital.
So in view Of this double Interest aud
the fact that the actress has delighted
audiences in almost every city OF the
country with Mistress Nell. it was not
surprising that Chases held big audi
cnce last night. a gathering that was
friendly. to be sure. but none the less
critical. II wasn't very long after the
lifting of the first curtain that the con
course of auditors began to realize that
here at last Was a real play. a draIs. ltic
product so out OF the ordinary run o. cos
tune pieces as TO be absolutely delight
ful well written. skillfully constructed.
sparkling in repartee. brilliant In dialogue.
ingenious in situations. and above every
thing else delightfully."- played by Hiss
fTrnc nd an n ?
merit
Al in all, 1t was perhaps the most en-
joyable theatrical production that a local
audience has view" in n long while. and
the numerous C Cain calls we're fully
deserved. Ii Chase's is not crowded to
the very doors each time Miss Crosnan
plays Mistress Nell'' this week the thea
tre patrons OF Washington will be the
losers.
Nell Gwynn, as pictured by Miss Cros-
man. is a comely. faxen- haired. seven
teenth century comedy star who accepts
with equal capriciousness the attentions
Of her manager and the Duke OF Buck
incham. Nell is first seen in the green
room of the Kings Theatre. and during
the early moments she makes Charles a
captive and keeps the stage waiting while
she concerns herself with the troubles of
a friend. old Strings.
Here" she exciaims. take these home
to the babies" handing Strings the bou-
quet that has but a moment before been
thrown to her from the royal box a ring
falls from the flowers. 1t IS the Kings.
Strings complains that be has no money
Nell gives him the ring for the babies to
cut their teeth on and Strings promptly
sells Il to the Duke of Buckingham. there
by providing material for an intrigue that
bobs up every once in while during the
remainder Of the play.
Nell meets the King at her house in
st. James Park by moonlight. and later
dimes with him at the Blue Boar Inn.
where she utterly routs the Duchess of
Portsmouth. plotting French woman and
her rival for Charles affections. The
King casts aside his royal robes, and as
plain Charles Stewart he makes love
to Nell.
Then comes the night of the Duchess
OF Portsmouth's bali, to which the
French woman has vowed Nell shall not
attend. She determines to go, however.
and does so, in male attire, passing her
self of as a youthful Irish squire. with
brogue that is a marvel. and flow OF
blarney that completely oaptiyates the
women folk.
During the ball Nell makes the dis
covery that the Duchess is a French spy.
plotting to betray Charles TO Louis. The
l.
papers OF iGaport. and almost immedi-
ately Nell in her disguise. makes violent
love TO the French woman. who trustingly
gives her the papers to deliver to the
emissaries OF the French King. Nell in
stantly becomes wonderfully bUoyaHt and
radiant. and even Ecads Charles with gos-
sip OF Nell Gywnn. Charles, furious. open
ly declares his love for the actress ana
draws his sword in her defence. Nell
deiies him and his courtiers. and swords
virtually leap from their abiding places.
The scene is splendidly worked Up. and
in the midst Of the excitement Nell ex-
claims Gentlemen. as she leaps to a
window ledge. For a second or SO the up
lifted swords hesitate. Then. ITO he'll
wild ye, D" Nell concludes and leaps through
a window. into the darkness of the hight
II is a capital climax and last nights
audience insisted that Miss Crosnan &c
knowledge their appreciation Of the ef-
forts of her self and company by coming
before the curtain a goodly number OF
times.
The final scene Of the play occurs at
Nell's house. whore the perfidy Of the
Duchess of Portsmouth is disclosed to
Charles.
Miss Crosman's Nell is as bright and en-
tertaining and faithful A character draw
ing as ii is possible to Imagine. She dis
plays a spirit Of ready Wit. natural gift |
Of sparkling repartee. a kitten like, frolic- |
some temper. a grace that delights. a
laugh that is captivating and an aston |
ishing variety OF moods. If the Eleanor |
Gwynn Of real life was any more charming |
that she OF Miss Crosman's conception. |
the royal love and popular favor are |
easily understood. Miss Crosman's sue |
cess last night was unqualified and the |
curtain calls we're splendid proof OF the |
manner In which the audience received |
the work OF the principal player and her |
capable associates
Miss Adele Block Is a capital Duchess |
OF Portsmouth and brings TO the part |
all the beauty and tact requisite for the |
proper presentation of n woman Of the |
kind Henry Woodruff. who has torn him |
self away from singing coon ditties with |
the Frank Daniel Opera Company makes
z graceful il not particularly forceful |
Charles. Some Of his lighter bits are
given with def touch Of histrionism.
Mr. Spencer is a fairly good Buckingham.
Godfrey Stein. in the role Of Swallow.
a character study that Is not
able as one of the best efforts OF the
performance That good old actor. John
Malone, is a splendid Jack Hart the
of the Kings Theatre.
There will he matinee performances OF
Mistress Nell' tomorrow and Saturday
The CoIumb bia-"The Chnpcrons."
CAST OF CHARACTERS:
dan, Uogr ..............-.... nigbv Bell |