The Washington times., 1902-06-03


and Kyrle Bellew as Claude Mel
notte The cast;
Claude Melnottc. .Kyrle Bcllcw
Colonel Damas.. .Maclyn Arbucklc
Monsieur BcHuscant. Edwin Arden
Monsieur CLAWS. Edward Ahclcs
Monsieur Dcschappcllcs II. Thompson
Landlord. .......................R Russell Crawford
naspar. par.-...................-.. Brandon lyman
altain Gcfvais. .Becion RadiCri
Lieutenant Dupont. Robert 4. llomans
Major DcInouiins. ns...................Lc Leonard lde
Notary. Charles liIskins
Nailt. ....''...-.. T. 'ha-e
Pauline Dcschappollos. os..........M May Maiinerins
Madame DcsChappcllcs. Nate rItison-S Sclton
Widow Nclnotte. te...-.........Mrs ". G.. Jones
Janet. net..................May Davenport Seymour
-
Another of those hurrah theatrical
performances that bring the playerfolk
to town one day and whisk them away
to another public on the morrow de-
scended upon the National Capital last
Mary Mannering, an actress who enjoys
much popularity throughout the coun-
try. and Kyrle Bellew. one of the best
romantic players OF the day, and a num-
ber of other exceptionally clever artists
gave revival CT LyttoG- Bulwer's-not
Bulwer Lytton's. as the program had
it-drama. THE Lady of Lyons
Frank Mckee 1t was who conceived
the idea that it would be well TO send
his Janice Meredith" star. Miss Man
nering, trouping around the country in
an impressive production of this old
play. He rightly opined that
the people who can be lured into a thea
ter during warm weather would stand"
for The Lady of Lyons" and If the
cities in which the company appears
turns out such large and evidently we'll
pleased audiences as that at the Ma
tional last night. Mr.. Mckee has sized
right.
The production is first-class in every
way-indeed there appears to have been
A lavish display OF money for scenery.
costumes, and the like, and the outlay
was not stinted when the matter of en-
saging the cast was considered
1t is seldom that the names OF such a |
ot of really good players appear on
he same playbill. Yet. notwithstand- |
ng this plethora OF ability the gentle |
nan who is responsible for the casting |
If the play-it surely could not have |
,een Mr.. Mckee alter the soundness of /
lis Judgment exhibited in the concep-
ion OF the enterprise-made some sad |
and in several instances the |
'arts are badly handled: not that their
interpreters are not accomplished ar
lists. but simply because they are out
# their particular element
Capable Players Miscast.
Such splendid actor IS W. II. Thomp-
on is seen in the Insignificant role of
iDnsieur Deschappelles. while Edward
.beles. one Of the very best Juveniles
( the native stage. is quite out of place
S Monsieur CLAWS.
But. worst OF all. Miss Msnncring is
Lifted with the part of Pauline True
he has the beauty that the traditions
( the role call for. and at moments she
; very delightful. but these are In the
ghter scenes wherein almost any ]
ctrcss Of fair degree of experience
light do as well.
The cOstumer's contribution to the
ertormance is elaborate-uncommo
o-ard his work makes Miss Mannering
bewitching Pauline, so far as looks l.
o; but the dressDaker can not be relied
pom TO provide the feminine star with a
rand new set of emotions TO be dis
layed In her strong scenes with MIR.
ellew. In the scene in the garden Miss j
annerings dramatic deficiencies were
oefully apparent: there was lacking
lie passion that the better equipped
stresses who have played the role have .
iowed. And in the Melnotte cottage
lisode. in the following act. she evil
sntly set out to give the audience an
ca of her energetis powers. and as a
suit oyerdid the scene. She was dis I
nctly disappointing to the critically in
ined. although that portion Of the au-
ence that could not overlook the fact
at she was Janice Meredith earlier in
ie theatrical year declared with much !
,hemence that she was too lovely for
,ything.
some day. perhaps, Miss Manncrlng
III either learn TO confine her efforts to
7 rather circumscribed limits. or, per
.ps, a riper experience will enable her 5
successfully interpret the more pro- .
und depths CT supreme heights OF the
ANA.
An Interesting Play.
1t is not every play that has celebrated I
3 sixty-fourth birthday that can inter
{ and amuse an audience like THE
dy of Lyons" OF course, in this :
riod Of slap-stick and seltzer bottle
medy. Of musical pieces in which
and swirling of silks and
1es are more important than the work
the composer when the book that has
iained the largest sales causes a vcri-
bic scramble among the amusement
Of the country for the dra
itic rights thereto 1t is the proper
ing to describe the Lytton- Buiwel
sce as Illogical. stilted In language
dly construed. according TO the up-to-
te recipe for theatrical pudding. and
The man who writes plays chiefly for
e purpose OF having them rejected ana
en- spends his spare moments finding
Ilt with other peoples successful
,rks can find a whole lot of faults Ia
he Lady OF Lyons" but If the keen N
joyment OF the immense gathering at III
e National last night is worth any
Ing, this old story Of proud lady trick 4,
into loving and marrying the hand
me peasant, and then coming to adore
NJ. notwithstanding his penchant for II
ling her the loyellest fairy stories i'm l
Unable. is as attractive as eve
And. too. after seeing Mary Manner
; in that weird dramatic composition. :,
anice Meredith" Claude and his sto- "