The Washington times., 1902-02-25

in the metropolis. and Washington has
been obliged to wait until now to sec the
young woman in her new surroundings
Before the first act of Captain links.
of the Horse Marines" had progressed
far. however. the audience had added its
unqualified approval to the verdict of
other cities. Miss barrymore is fitted to
shine as a star. Her triumph was the
more emphatic by reason of the rather
meagre opportunities 30 demonstrate her
full powers that are given her in the play
which Clyde Fitch has provided. 1t is q
pretty little thing is this Captain
Jinks. but there is no dramatic strength
in it to speak of; its tone is quiet from
the beginning. and there Is not even the
slightest flavor of melodrama that marks
so many OF this playwrights productions.
But the play was entertaining, and the
charm OF Miss Barrymore's art made
amends for anything lacking in the play
itself.
1t is rot necessary to say anything of
the probability or imrrobability of the
offering. Mr.. Fitch never allows prob
ability to trouble him when seeking for
a dramatic picture. Captain links of
the Horse Marines" is not picturesque
No stretch of imagination could convince
the modern theatregoer that bustIes and
chignons are picturesque but there is
atmosphere in the play. and even if the
work is not new CT very probable. never
theless it tells pretty little love story.
There is probably less action In Captain
JiEks" than in any of the Fitch plays
that have been seen here this season
but there is an abundance of the Fitch
smart talk and many little comedy quips
in the dialogue which are made more
charming by Miss BGrrymores natural
ness of delivery and acting. There is
hardly a suggestion of artiiiciality in her
art. She is delightfully."- naive in her
touches of comedy. and evidences apparent
strength in the little emotional work she
is called upon to do. Altogether Miss
Barrymore is one of the most pleasing
and wholly satisfying feminine stars
that have come to Washington this sea-
son.
Mr.. Fitch took the title for his play
from the old song of the same name ard
he utilizes the air for stage purposes on
several occasions in a very clever man
ner.
The period of the play is that i'm
mediately following the civil war An
English prima donna has arrived in New
dozen newspaper reporters and other per-
sons to bid her welcome. Among those
who greet her are three dandies of the
time. One of them. Captain Jinks, wagers
with one OF his companions that he will
make love to the young woman. When
he meets her he falls desperately in love
at first sight and of course regrets his
wager. He attempts to treat it as a joke,
but his companion will not have it and
in. fztS hot he hat ha hry.
ing the cash he pays the wager in an
l. o. U. The companions learns of the
wealth and prospects of the young wom-
an and lays his wires to marry her, and
uses the note of Captain links to frus-
trate that young mans suit. After
Captain Jinks has made love, proposes
and been accepted. he is renounced when
he refuses TO deny the authenticity OF
the note to pay. OF course, Mr.. Fitch
contrives to have his heroine accept an
explanation and all ends well.
1t is plain to be seen that this is not
an involved plot, nor one that allows for
much dramatic action, but it sufflces to
make good and entertaining stage story
and what is more. gives an opportunity
to witness the splendid work on the part
of Miss Barrymore
The supporting company is generally
acceptable. George w. Howard makes a
good loking and capable Captain JinkS,
and George w. Barnum is seen to ad-
vantage in the part of the prima donna's
foster father while Estei1e Mortimer gives
good character delineation of an elderly
gushing woman. There is no opportunity
in the play for lavish stage setting, but
the opening scene. a New York dock is
well presented, and in the second act
several curious-looking females appear in
costume to represent the ballet dancers
in the operatic productions OF the sixties