The Washington times., 1902-09-16
THE CoLUMBIA-"A Royal Family" a
comedy in three acts, by Capt. R.
Marshall. The cast:
Percy Haswell Is a real star.

She burst upon the theatrical firlna-
ment last evening al the Columbia Thea
ter, when she appeared n Captain Mar
shall's play. "a Royal Family"
Miss Haswell is too well known in
Washington by everyone vino thinks of,
talks of, or attends the theater TO need
any introduction. She won her way into
the affections of local play house habi-
tues when she was the leading woman
of the Lafayette stock company two
years ago. They have since watched her
career with deep interest, and her ad-
| mirers-and they are many-have felt
that it would not be long before she
would be seen at the head of her own
company as a star.
Last night this was realized, and it is
probable that the realization was as
much of a qualification to her friends in
this city as it was to the actress herself.
The F Street playhouse was we'll filed
when the play began. and when Miss
Haswell appeared for the first time she
was given a reception that lasted sever
al minutes. There was no half-hear.ed-
ness about the greeting-it was q spon-
| taneous and sincere welcome to an old
friend and Miss Haswell must have
been greatly pleased.
There was no question about the sue
cess of Miss Haswell's debut in the
stellar ranks. 1t was triumph for her;
her friends were more than pleased;
they were delighted, while those who
had never witnessed her work were will
ing at once to be numbered among her
admirers.
And Miss Haswell deserved all the
nice things that were said about her.
seasons absence from Washington
made her art appear better even than
when she was the leading woman at
the Lafayette, and there were then
few who denied that she was an actress
of more than ordinary ability.
Miss Haswell's manager Mr.. Henry
B. Harris. apparently made no mistake
when he selected Captain Marshall's
play for the debut of his new star 1t
fits her better probably than anything
in which she has appeared in the past
To step into another actress shoes,
and that one a popular actress, too,
is no easy undertaking, but Miss Has
well accomplished it last evening in a
manner that left no doubt but that she
is destined for very successful ca
reer
A more suitable part than the Prin-
cess Angela could not have been made |
for Miss Haswell. 1t fits her dainty
personality; aceords with her tempera- 1
ment. and altogether is just the sort of |
character that her friends most de- |
sire to see her in. There is poetic !
sentiment in it; a pretty bit Of deli |
cious comedy, and enough emotion TO
test the strength of any-new star. Mis-. |
~, Ill
ing moods. Her touches of comedy |
were brilliant, and her work through. /
out as smooth and finished as one could |
wish for. Miss Haswell surely could |
have derived no more pleasure from !
h|r success than she gave the audience
by her fine work She was satisfying
at all times, and the audience was
quick to respond by genuine and hearty
outbursts OF applause.
AT the conclusion of the first act Miss
Haswell was called before the curtain.
and expressed her thanks that she
should have been asked so soon TO re-
spcnd to the cordial greetings of the.
audience.
Captain MaTshalrs play is fantastic
comedy that will probably outlive a ma
jority OF the plays that have been pro
duced within the past few years. 1t /
AeiiS d pitils 1--WE StOT.-lne STORY oil a
high minded, womanly princess. who.
while she loves with all her heart the
man of her choice, still feels it to be her
duty 10 save her country from war by
prince of another land. o.
course, like all proper stage stories,
Captain Marshall contrives to have his
heroine love the man she is destined BIZ
political exigency to marry. II is
trite theme, perhaps, but 1t is wrought
in clever manner, and the dialogue is
hlled with pretty word pictures and
delicate sentim
The cast supporting Miss Haswell is
good. Boyd Putnam the King
IF Acacia, one of those good-natured
who suffers constantly from
4nnui. but is always entertaining. Nc.
work is second only 10 Mfsk ;
iaswell's. and he makes an excellent
Frank Roberts, as the Car
iinal. is very smooth and satisfying al
ways. while Maud Granger, that cap |
tai actress who has played many parts :
n her time, makes an excellent queen
owager. The other characters are in
hands.
r. TT: nof;xa