The Washington times., 1902-04-15

| Col. Sir Edward Jennison ........ Arthur Elliot
| Major Dairymple. George c. Pea.ce
Captain Dacicr ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Merriam Bruce
| captain farquhar Robert Warning
Captain DcCourcy. Charles Harris
captain kclteT Herbert barley
Captain Gregory Walter Allen
Sergeant Tipp- James \. Leahy
captain Miilhl,iSen John cooper
Captain Rabb. George Cornish
Capt. Henry Townsend. 80. Charles F. Gotthoid
Samuel Davis. Arthur Elliot
sambo. Otis Turner
Mis- Townsend. Janet Darlington
Pamela Townsend. Florence Rockwell
Cynthia Dcane Observation-Disclosures. Louise Nakelee
Washington thcatergoers have in the
past always displayed a liking for Henry
Miller AMI his plays. and it was not sur
prising. therefore. that the actor should
have been given a very hearty reception
on the occasion of his first appearance
here in his new play. Darcy OF the
Guards" at the National Theater last
ening. The audience that welcomed Mr..
Miller and his company was one of large
proportions, and 1t was much pleased with
the performance.
darcy of the Guards" is a Revolu-
tionary drama, but this fact must not be
taken as condemnation of its merits as
a play. AMI it should not be dismissed as
in the same class with Janice Meredith
and other recent dramas which have had
the Revolution for theme. 1t is refresh
ingly free from the futile attempts to re-
produce the impossible that have charac-
tcrized other plays of tie sort, and is,
indeed, one of the prettiest comedy dra-
mas that have been presented in Wash
ington this season.
1t is not a great play, but the story
that is told is pretty aid interesting, and
is related in a maner that sustains the
interest 20 the end.
Modern military dramas are so often
accompanied by an absur! attcmi to re-
produce the stirring scenes of war that
they generally resolve themselves into
mere turlesques, but in this case the au-
thor has not attempted 10 work UPON the
emotions of the spectators with any mock
heroics or red fire. There is hut one shot
fired during the play, and as that is fired
by a woman no serious harm IS done, and
the audience is not required tc fall hack
on their fancies to assist them in the
realism of the scenes. 1t is this fact that
MiiicE . pay Dcliei imam lLt
ordinary military drama Besides. the
author, Louis Evan Shipman, has served &
good purpose in presenting a phase of
the Revolution that has very often been
disregarded hy the military dramaiist He
has not made the British army officers a
set of bullies, but has shown the gsEtle
manly side of their characters, and has
aatp oil in
an endearing character.
The action of the piece takes place in
Philadelphia during its occupation by the
British under Sir William Howe and Lord
Corvallis. in the autumn and winter of
l717-Is. when General Washington and
the American army were encamped TWEEN
ty miles away at Valley Forge. There is
just a suggestion of the bitter experience
which Washington and the American
lighters underwent during that awful
winter, but it is not allowed to mar the
pleasurable interest of the play itself.
The first act of the play shows the ex-
terror of one of the old Philadelphia man
sions just previous to the entrance of the
British forces. The heroine, her mother
and cousin are discussing the possibili-
ties of the British invasion. when two
Hessian officers appear and by their in
sulting actions and remarks terrify the
women. Major Darcy tMr. Miller comes
on the scene at an opportune time and
RI scues them from the threatened intru-
sion. The act is somewhat lacking ir
action, but the following are more ami
mated.
The second act discloses the morning
room of the mansion, and is one of the
most pleasing features of the production.
II is different from most sets and has evil
IDENTIFY been wrought with much attention
to historic detail. Darcy here declares
his love for the pretty daughter of the
house. but is met with dignified rebuff,
which is due more TO the young iady's
loyalty to her country than to disregard
of the profiered love.
4 letter arrives from Capt. Henry
Townsend The brother of the heroine, in
forming her that he will visit the house
in disguise. He arrives, but his presence
has been detected by the British scouts
and a search of the house is ordered
d AIcy again arrives at the proper mo-
mcnt and rescues the brother although
at the time he believes the young man to
be the sweetheart OF his loved enc The
climax of the act reveals the identity CT
the young man. and Mr.. Miller is given
an opportunity to indulge in a very pretty
piece of comedy because OF his surprise
ard consequent citation.
In the third act, the scene OF which is
the same as the preceding one. the Brit
ish officers are congregated TO discuss
plans OF q night attack upon Washington |
at Valley Forge. Necessarily their inten- !
lions are revealed to the heroine. and at I
ter the officers have departed She deter |
mines 10 go herself to warn General |
Washington of the proposed attack. Ma |
jor Darcy intcrcepts her. but in her |
Jealous loyalty she attempts to carry out |
her purpose despite him, and in an at |
tempt 10 force her way she discharged a |
pistol which wounds the major. The in |
evitable negro servant has, however. over |
heard the discussion and, presumably, |
goes himself as the messenger to Wash |
ington. The curtain falls with the hero |
inc chagrined and the major stalking of |
10 join his regiment in their attack upon |
the American army.
In the last act. which is the billiard |
room OF the mansion, the author reveals |
the failure OF the British attack, and !
the heroine succumbs to the ardent love-
making of the Irish officer.
Mr.. Miller is seen in a pleasing role. |
that OF an Irish major Of the British |
Crenadiers. and his talent as comedian |
Is given better opportunity than has been |
the case in his former plays. He dis |
closes a delightful Irish brogue, and his |
acting is natural and digniied and quite |
as finished as has been his efforts in the |
past At the conclusion of the second act |
he was obliged to respond to numerous
curtain calls.
Florence Rockwell is again Mr.. Mller's |
leading woman, and her acting is charac-
terized by the same easy grace that has
marked her preYious performances. The