Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-30
ADJUSTMENTS.


And the prolonged and tumultuous APP
plause Of one Of the largest audiences as
| sembled in recent weeks assured her that
she might.
| 1t is like a typical holiday occasion this
new production Of a Frohman piece before
an audience composed Of people who have
learned to esteem his legitimate enterprises
to an extent which inspires unbounded con-
| f1dence whenever new play Is announced
as ready to be graduated from under his
tutelage. And on the stage was a gather
Ing well calculated to assure an ideal hoh-
day reunion. There was Mrs. Gilbert, as
prettily defiant of time as ever, petted
favOrite of fortune who can look the calen-
dar in the face without a shudder, con-
scious that each new leaf means new adj
mirers; there was Orrin Johnson, whose ex-
cellent work In the past makes him well
come, and John Mason, who does many
things SO well that he commands courte-
Gus forgetfulness Of the other occasions.
Miss Russell herself is like the good. gentle
feminine relation whose presence Is always
awaited by every one with glad expectancy,
and who, without asserting herself in the
least, is the essential figure in the festivity.
Besides these there were Madeline Lucette
Ryley, the author, who came all the way
from London, and Charles Frohman. who
as often happens with the man who pro-
vides the funds and other facilities for
gala occasion, remained In dignifed seclu-
sion which none ventured to disturb. Mr..
Frohman must. however, have enjoyed him
self. The lines and situations were famil-
lar, but the applause, which was being
abundantly introduced for the first time,
could not fail to win his discriminating ap-
proval.
Mice and Men" should perhaps be meas
ured entirely by the nicely with which 1t
fits Miss RusselPs personality. The pre-
cision with which 1t is suited to her charm
ing, delicate and unique personality shows
fine artistic sense in selection rather than
any extraordinary achievement In play
writing, for the ingredients Of the plot are
quite familiar and the method Of treatment
but slightly at variance with conventionali-
ties. But 1t Is a sunshiny bit Of a story
with plenty of love and affection and nobil-
ty and self-denial in it, and no boisterous,
red-haired boys or black-browed villains
to mar the stateliness of the scene. The
piece has certain suggestions Of THE School
for Scandal about 1t, and the suggestions
are not disagreeable. Miss Russell is COM
PEELED TO romp barefooted into one Of the
scenes, and the fact that she could without
sacrifice of charm challenge the criticism
even Of the chiropodist proves beyond a
doubt that she is both capable and popu-
lar. The human heart may be boldly held
up for scrutiny by the dramatist; but when
1t comes to the human foot, that Is another
matter That the scene was respectfully
received in the spirit Of the authors inten-
ton is proof conclusive Of Miss Russelrs
eminence and ability as player, to which
1t were needless to add words.
The work of Miss Russell and Mrs. Gill
pert were the features OF the performance,
and through it all were most enjoyable.
COLUMBIA Observation-Disclosures as
coming from the pen of the man who wrote
"a Poor Relation" and Peaceful Valley"
two Of the plays that helped so materially
to endear Sol Smith Russell, "Sky Farm"
at the Columbia last, night, was disap-
pointing. The people and the plot of the
play are as old as the Massachusetts hills
themselves. and they fail this time to stir
the heart interest. Very little ingenuity has
been shown in the selection of the charac-
ters and still less in their development.
sympathy. The hard-fsted village rich
man was too fierce to be forceful. His
bark was so terrific and so constantly used
that its effect soon wore away and the vii
lain was left with no stock in trade. So 1t
went with all the characters. They were
either abruptly good or bluntly bad. The
one who came nearest to winning the
hearts of the audience was the village post
mistress, who between a tomboy daughter
and an unrequited love affair made things
quite merry. Sarah McVicker played the
part and showed to the very best advan-
tage. The honest young farmer, the indo-
lent son of the village rich man, the lazy
farm hand, the bold, bad man from the city
and the parsons suffering young daughter
were among the familiar characters 1t
would seem good advice to young city
chaps about to visit the country to be on
their guard every moment. If they are not
the rural playwriter will get them sure.
The characters of "Sky Farm" are better
known than the players: This was even
true down to the affrighted city dray
horses, who appeared i'll at ease in the
waving fields of grain. Edward E. Kidder,
the playwright, should have given more
thought and time to Sky Farm" The at
mosphere of the piece is good, and the
story turns out all right in the end and Is
probably very satisfactory to many play
goers. w H Tooker, Scott Cooper, Fran
els Byrne, Charles Crosley, Rose Flynn,
Claire Mcdowell, Maude Hosford and Fay
Courtenay are some OF the players
LAFAYETTE SQUARE THEATER-Good
music we'll sung. new jokes we'll told and
pretty girls well gowned combine to make
q performance that will probably fill the
Lafayette all this week. It Is rare that
theatrical effort receives in its second sea-
son such warm reception as was given the
"Chaperons'' last evening. The welcome
was hearty and the performers were con-
sequently stimulated to their best efforts.
and some received half dozen recalls.
Particular mention should be made Of the
chorus It has been admirably trained
so that it sings with precision and unusual
spirit It's work could be compared with
that Of we'll known light opera companies
of the past when 1t was heard In the short
selections from Fra Diavolo" and the
Pirates in the burlesque in the second
act The McCaull and Duff companies did
scarcely better.
AS those who keep themselves Informed
on matters connected with the stage know,
the "Chaperons'' is medley Of singing,
dancing and fun. Much Of the fun revolves
around the double search being carried on
for a seal, one seeking an animal and the
other the round, red token that makes
will valid. The scenes are laid in Paris and
Alexandria, Egypt The company engaged
in the presentation of the slight story with
it's amusing incidents Is fully capable.
Walter Jones, as Mr.. o Shaunnessay, study
ing rapid transit in Paris. because he has
heard that it is the fastest city in the
world, furnished most Of the fun. He was
aided and abetted by Edwin Redway, who
enacted a diminutive German. Trixle Fri
ganza's role of woman with her eye teeth
cut, one who can find her way to any
place upon the map alone" was admirably
portrayed. Although Mary Cahnl had
created the part and stamped her individ-
uality upon it. yet IT did not suffer in the
capable hands that held it last night. Gene
We've Day, as Violet Smilax, won the heart
Of her hearers with her song about the
Little Girl Who Couldn't Say No. 1t was
a dainty bit Of work. Robert Iceland, as
Slgnor Bassini, proprietor Of stranded
opera company, and Albert Harrington, as
Tom Schuyler, an American student abroad
and Violet's lover, were animated and
thoroughly acceptable. Eva Tanguay's &c
centric character of Phrosia, ever on the
track Of the lost seal. was most amusingly
given. She is a bundle Of nerves and kept
the action going at top speed all the time
she was on the stage. She caught the house