The Washington times., 1902-05-20
COLUMBIA PATRONS PLEASED
Chase's Summer Season of Vaudeville In
auguratcd-Leah Lessi and Good Com
parry in East Lynne" at the Academy
Oriental Burlesquers at Kernan's.
THE COLUMBIA-"Young Mrs. Win
throp," comedy drama in four acts,
by Bronson Howard. The cast:
The production of Young Mr.


winthrop at the Columbia Theater last
evening served to further emphasize the
good quality of the Harry Corson Clarke
stock company. The company has been
| playing at the + Street playhouse for
four weeks now, and each succeeding
weel; it has presented a play thai called
for different treatment and unusual YER
| satility upon the part of the interpret
| ing company.
Last nights performance was fully up
to the standard OF their past produc-
tions. 1t was really hard TO realize that
the performance was the first, so smooth
ly did it run. There were no annoying
waits, and the players were familiar
enough with their lines to need no
prompting.
Young Mrs. Winthrop" gave another
member of the CLARKE company an oppor-
tunity to show her versatility. This time
it was Laura Almcsnino. In previous pro-
ductions Miss Almosnino has given an in
dication that she was capable of doing
better things than she had been called
| upon to do, ami when last night she was
given the chance. she at once embraced
it. Her performance of the leading role
of the piece was one OF the best features
OF the play. The other members CT the
company were well cast. and it was al
together very enjoyable play.
Young Mrs. Winthrop" 1t is hardly
necessary to state, is one of the plays
that was popular a decade and more ago.
1t had a long run when first produced,
and has since been played by stock COM
panies on numerous occasions.
Its author. Bronson Howard, was al
ways thoughtful playwright. Every play
that came from his pen was written for
a purpose. In almost all OF his produc-
tions Mr.. Howard sought TO elucidate
some social problem and turn a striking
moral. In Young Mrs. winthrop" the
author took as his subject the estrange-
ment between man and wife that SO often
occurs for no good reason. He shows the
young wife hurgering for the love of her
husband. who, while still loving her,
thoughtlessly neglects her in the hunt for
fortune. The death of their child serves
to bring about a rupture that threatens
permanent separation. But, of course, a
good angel appears in the person of the
family lawyer, who finally straightens out
matters. and all ends happily. 1t is very
pretty story. well told, and certainly is
more instructive and entertaining than
very many modern plays that are now the
vogue.
Mr.. Clarke appears In the role of the
lawyer, and adds another good piece of
work to his long list Of excellent charac
ter drawings. He seems equally at home
in the characters OF old or young men,
eccentric or serious parts, and the role
he played last night is one of the best he
has yet attempted.
Earle Ryder, as the husband, played the
part in an earnest and Intelligent man
ner. Helen Ware was again seen to ad-
vantage in the role Of a gay butterfly of
fashion. who has no thought for the NOR
row or any other day. Lottie Alter was
good in the ingenue part of the wife's
younger sister.
After the matinee on Thursday the
members of the Clarke company will hold
their second public reception on the stage
of the theater.