The Washington times., 1902-05-06
Lafayette Stock Company Enters Upon
Its Last Week-A Good Bill of Vaude-
vile at Chase's-"A Romance of Coon
Hollow" Pleases the Academy's Patrons
THE COLUMBIA-"Hi Absent Boy"
farce in three acts, by Sydney Rosen-
fcld The cast.

of farceurs entered upon their second week
last night at the Columbia Theater. and
large audience was kept in a state OF
continual merriment over the ludicrous
situations of Sydney Rosenfeld's farce.
His Absent Boy" which at one time was
used with a great deal of success by the
late Roland Reed. 1t is no disparagement
to the former star of tho piece to say that
last nights performance of His Absent
Boy easily takes rank with any that has
ever been given the piece. not even ex-
cepting the original production at the Car
den Theater, New York, when Frederick
Bond appeared in the chief role.
Mr.. Clarke is especially happy in the
deIineation of that type of old men COM
monty styled gay old boys" and in His
Absent Boy he has unlimited opportuni-
ties for the display of his marked talents
as 4 creator of laughs. His work as PEN
ME is a distinct advance upon his Jones,
although the two characters are radically
different, and are each drawn upon differ
cnt lines.
Invents Son.
Pennie. in the present case. is an elder
ly married man whose wife controls the
family exchequer, and he. in order to Sc
cure a more liberal amount of pocket
money with which to enjoy the good thinga
of life, invents a son By. a former wife. an
absent boy whom he is supposed to sup
port in a Western State on a monthly al
lowance of 800, given by his better half
for the purpose. Given, such an idea as
starter. such an experienced deviser of
comic situations as is Mr.. Rosenfeld has
no trouble in creating a whole lot Of good.
clean fun, fun of the kind that is always
enjoyable, and Of the sort that sends an
audience away from the theater feeling the
better for wholesome Entertainment.
One fact that was very apparent to the
Columbia audience last night was that
the Clarke compapy's performance was
as smooth and free from little rough edges
as IL it had been played an entire sea-
son by these players, instead of being
given for the first time. The piece was
capitally staged: indeed, II is seldom that
a richer stage picture Is presented. and
in every other way tho reproduction was
distinct success ...s1sa s-..
Mr.. Clarke's Good Work.
Mr.. Clarke is particularly happy as Mr.. !
Pennie. the husband who invents the alb /
sent boy idea. He gives a character ,
study that has many counterparts in I
actual life. and throughout the perform
ance there is no deviation from the draw
ing as outlined by the dramatist. 1t is .
a mighty clever study. cleverly done.
The entire company Is well cast Lot
tie Alter is winsome Nita, and gives
very delightful bit of ingenue work. John
westley as Jack Mackaye is one OF the
best juvenile actors that has ever been
seen on the local stage. He looks like
a gentleman, speaks like one, dresses as
gentleman would, and in every way
gives a faithful portraiture OF a young
man of good breeding OF the period.
Henry c. Hockey is an admirable Mr..
Burney, while Laura Almosnino is a very
strenuous sort of a better half. Miss
Almosnno puts plenty OF vim into her
work and succeeds in making many tell
ing comedy points.
Louise Bryant plays Mrs. Mackayc very
well. and Helen Robinson's work as Mrs.
Pennie is highly commendable. Mary
Karr plays a small bit much better than
the average actress would do it. and
Helen Ware shows decided dramatic
ability in the role Of Kittie Gibson. In
the last act OF the play Miss Ware sings
one of Harry Corson Clarke's songs. "As
Have Chosen You." very we'll, in a full,
rich. pleasing voice.
why Smith Left Home will be play
ed by the Clarke company at the Colum-
bia next week.