The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-24

shades and textures Of the remainder OF
her costume and have practically repro
iuced 1t exactly, although some portions
Of the 'outfit' are obsolete. and I have
hem manufactured expressly for Sis Hop
kins.
The Western critics are still in arms
anent Mr.. Soihern's Hamlet. The latest
was started by the Toledo
Blade" whose dramatic writer cham
pioned Mr.. Scthern's ambitious effort. A
correspondent accused Mr.. Sothern OF
being inspired by financial greed. and not
by the sublimity OF Shakespeare's master
piece. Apparently to the correspondents
mind crowded theatre and an enthusi-
astIc audience are not consistent with true
art. IL seems unusual that Hamlet
should meet with such prosperous box Of
fee results
Despite the arguments pro and con- Mr..
Sothern's presentation is still meeting
with brilliant success. and his week In
Cleveland closed to bigger receipts than
he experienced in the "zenda" days. and
the opening last week in Toronto was 10
standing room only, while the advance sale
In Buffalo foT the latter part OF thu week
means playing to the capacity. This is
certainly wonderful business for Shakes
pearean drama, but Mr.. Sothern's produc-
ton OF Hamlet is an eventfui one. II
Soer. perforce Of its modern treatment, the
clear ard forceful reading and the ex-
cellent company. Miss Harned's Ophelia
has also aroused considerable discussion
II is well that so much interest has been
taken in a Shakespearean revival, for II
proves the performance is worthy Of IL.
Box Office encouragement is the legitimate
encouragement for art.
The latest book to see life behind the
footlights is ITO Have and to Hold
which in its dramatized form was pre-
sented for the first time at Baltimore Lass
Monday night and, according to all re-
ports at hand. scored 4 very substantial
success. as might be presupposed owing
to the great popularity of the book. The
stage version of the Johnston story was
made by Mr. Ernest F. Boddington. for
mer Brooklyn dramatic critic At least
the programme credits Mr.. Boddington
with the work. although Mr.. Edward E.
Rose had hand in the tinkering. and to
him is undoubtedly due a great share of
whatever success the play may attain.
The initial performance was a great
event in Baltimore's theatrical history,
and attracted an unusually large number
of well-known managers and critics from
New York. Miss Johnston. the author.
was expected TO be present but was de-
tanned at Birmingham, Ala, where she is
at work on new novel, which she could
not leave at the time.
According to Acton Davies. ITO Have
and to Hold as a play is a rather "wab-
bly, affair thing of shreds and patches
in its earlier scenes. but 1t is eventually
saved by a fine last act. This act fairly
atones for all the earlier sins OF omis-
sion and commission. Ii seems to be the
fashion of all these latter-day book
dramatizers to stray as far away from
the work they are supposed TO be drama
tiZing as possible. In some particulars
Mr.. Boddingtcn follows the tradition of
the cult. His first act. however, is a
fairly faithful transcription of the book
The sale OF the English maids gave a
chance for a charming setting. and after
the marriage Of Percy and Joceiyn the
plot is led by some charming tableaux
This act is thoroughly interesting. The
sale OF the maids is conducted a little
too much after the manner of comic
opera, but with that exception the stage
mana cement was admirable. The second
act shows the exterior of the fort at
jamestown. and Lord carnal's arrival.
He captures Jocelyn, but Percy passes
himself of as the Governor Of Virginia
and carries the girl off under carnals
nose by n clever ruse. The first scene of
the third act passes in the old watch
house. and after CarnaI has captured the
heroine again Jeremy climbs TO the res
cue through a trap door, and Percy.
Jocelyn, and the preacher make another
escape through the cellar exit.
Conventional as this scene was, it
caught the house, and the applause was
just beginning when a curious thing hap
pered. The scene changed quickly to the
open sea, with the refugees all huddled
together in a tiny boat. Another quick
a-t.1. alr
on the pirate ship. This was a most elab-
crate set, which must have cost piles OF
money. and weeks of preparation But
the curtain fell on that third act in ST.
lence
There wasn't even "a hand In plain
English, the act had been killed by can
vas. The audience was happy as long as
it got action but 1t absolutely baked at
the interpclated scenic effects. Not line
that is spoken in these two sea scenes
can be heard by the audience. and the play
would be strengthened infinitely II they
were both cut out. There are three scenes
in the firal act: The hold of the ship
where Percy and Jeremy are prisoners
and break their bonds: the cabin where
n somewhat butchered but still very ef-
fectIve rendering of Miss Johnston's great
trial scene takes place, and then the deck
of the ship with all sails set and charm
ing littls love scene between husband and
wife, while, by a clever panoramic effect,
the ship skins over moonlit sea. This
scene sealed the fate of ITO Have and To
Hold irrevocably. In spite of its short
comings, this play will prove great pop
ular success.
The principal parts were assumed with
not little success by Miss Isabel Irving
as Jocelyn Leigh: Robert Lorraine. an
English actor imported especially for the
production. as Ralph Percy. and Charles
Wolcott as Jeremy Sparrow.
The dramatization of Judge Robert
Grants novel, ''Unleavened Bread" which
was presented in New York City q few
weeks ago with considerable success, is
headed toward Washington, and is sched-
uled for an early production at the Column
bia Theatre. The piece was interrupted
during what promised to be profitable
engagement by the financial
difficulties of the manager OF the Savoy
Theatre, where the piece was presented,
and it was impossible to secure another
Gotham playhouse at the time.
Miss Eleanor Robson. who was seen in
Arizona at the Lafayette last season.
is seen TO great advantage in .Unleavened
Bread" and is credited with making
one of the most emphatic hits of her very
successful career. Besides Miss Robson.
the piece will introduce to local amuse-
ment seekers a number OF capable and ex-
perienceG players, who should give a very
good performance.
Harry Corson Clarke. who was mem
Der OF the Frawlsy Stock Company, at the
Columbia. two seasons ago. has met with
a great deal OF success in the Northwest
this year in comedy entitled What Did
TompkiIs Do?" There are no late re-