The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-29
The NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

There are a few persons in the theatri-
cal profession who can justly claim as
their absolute own separate niche into
which no other performer dare venture.
The especial example Of this good fortune
is May Irwin. who returned to please
Washingtoniaus last evening and per-
formed her pleasant duty at the New Ma
tional before an audience as anxious to be
amused as the adiposed artistic was to
amuse. This time Il Is as "Madge Smith.
Attorney" that Miss Irwin INDUCES her
voice and infectious grin. The farce is
little the most pretentious thing she has
ever undertaken. and this year one seeing
Miss Irwin has mere than her songs to
remember, although the various vocal eff
forts Of the star and the several members
of the company are the chief essential to
the evenings enjoyment.
"Madge Smith. Attorney" is by Ramsey
Morris and is in three acts. The story
concerns a professional woman who has
promised her husband that as soon as she
wins case for a male client she will for
sake the law and devote her time and eff
forts to household pursuits Both Attor-
ney Smith and her husband have pasts
which they wish should remain in the
dark. Madge has had as an admirer a
theatrical man who possesses several let
tiers written to him and which. being I'M
dated, might pass as present day COM
munications. The old-time admirer shows
up and offers to return the letters II At
torney Smith VIII give him and his pro-
fessinnal associates a champagne break
fast. Smith himself has been involved
similarly and has been arrested for as
saulting policeman. In search Of evil
dence, the miniOns OF the law come to
the Smith home and engage Attorney
Madge to help prosecute her own husband
who has, of course, given fictitious
name The scene in the last act shifts to
the police court, where Madge demon
strates her ability to win case, smooths
matters over, and retires from practice
permanently. The story is quite clearly
told and there are enough counter plots
to prevent monotony and sutficiency Of
interpolated Irwinsms to make the dia-
lOgue characteristic of the star. The
three acts are quite well staged and the
piece has a snap which is pleasing
But in the Irwin farces there is little
| room for anything else than Miss Irwin
The star has a lot to do in Madge Smith,
Attorney" and is laughable always. Real
| ly this farce gives her comedy talents
greater range and equal chance for vocal
effort than she has had for some years.
songs DI lnt VI WHICH hhfo ihAuC
| her famous are given most prominence,
but in When I am by Her Side" in the
second act, the voice of the star is notable
| for its expression and sweetness. and this
| is not coon" melody. All her vocal ef-
| forts were repeatedly encored last oven
| ing and the cake walk. which makes up
the greater portion of the second act,
| was repeated ad fnltum and almost ad
nauseum in response to the popular de-
mand.
There are many clever people in the
supporting company and several of the
| faces are those expected in an irwin com
pany. George Beane is good and natural
as Smith. and Ignacio Martinetti is eccen-
| trio and laughable in the character OF
| Count Cotton. A characteristic study IS
| that of Joseph Sparks. and one Keeps re-
GREETING that he has not more to do. Bert
| Thayer. an old fayorite of stock company
| days, has one of the best bits in the piece
| and makes II stand out prominently so
well does he take advantage OF ms sew
eral opportunities Roland Carter doubles
parts with energy and ability. and Carrie
| Radcliffe the single feminine member or
! the company called upon to do any acting,