Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-21
MUSIC

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These players are always received with en-
thusiastic approval save. perhaps. now ana
then when they insist on an utter desertion
of the field, of comedy and attempt 10 leao
their admirers into sombre atmosphere
such as has come to be regarded. Whether
Justly or not as uncongenial to their tall
ents The play THE Altar of Friendship.
Is not a remarkable specimen Of literary
art but it Is servceable and wholesome ana
gives Mr.. Goodwin numerous opportunities
for those side speeches which constitute so
considerable an element of his attractive
ness as a player. Mr. Goodwin is one of the
standard successes of the American stage,
though not infallible. He has had his little
d!sappointmepts like the rest Of the world.
The Cowboy and the Lady" Nathan
Hale" both proved to be good plays, though
not good for Mr.. Goodwin. Miss Elliot was
not seen at her best this week through the
fact that she suffered from a cold which
seriously interfered with her speaking She
was, however, very charming personally
and gowned with surprising splendor,
though with unvarying taste. and there are
many people who ask but little more OF
this favorite player.
y
1t Is not pleasing to write anything save
praise for Mrs. Langtry, who Is appearing
at the Columbia, for she has gone into her
work with an energy and pluck which de-
serve success in any venture. Mrs. Lang
try. however, should be content with her
own triumphs, which have been so con-
spicuous, and not attempt to fitch the laurels
from the playwright's careworn brow. But
Mrs Langtry Is nothing if not nervy. 1t
was she who put ice down the Prince OF
Wales back unless rumor has grossly de-
ceived and she went on the turf with
stable Of horses and displayed all the en-
thusiastic courage Of the veteran plunger.
Few actresses stand so high in the good
graces of their professional associates as
does Mrs. Langtry. She affects none OF
the theatrical hauteur which Is so often as
sumed by actors who fear that discipline
may relax but has the rare gift OF compeli-
ing the highest consideration and at the
same time being herself courteous and kind.
Her play 1.-THE Cross Ways" is one whose
bet hope is that of lapsing into gentle OBJ
livion. 1t is not worthy of the actress who
performs it.
1t was hoped that the adverse criticism
which had preceded THE Crossways'' on its
Journey was prejudiced to a degree. A view
of the play, however, seemed to Indicate
sey Lily with much consideration. In
addition it effectually dispelled the sur
prise that Mrs Langtry should choose to
appear in her own play. One was forced to
the conclusion that otherwise its creation
might have been but a waste of time.
From it's title THE Crossways" might
have it's good and bad points. The authors.
Mrs. Langtry and Mr.. J. Hartley Manners,
took the wrong path. Mr.. Manners, by the
way, Is about as English as can be. His
acting attracted attention as type OF the
British player but little known in this
country. He has something Of poetic
temperament, however. Il 1t may be be-
lieved that he is responsible for some Of
his own lines. The climatic warmth Of his
English lovemaking was reached when he
placed his hands on either shoulder Of
picturesque English girl in the cast and ex-
claimed:
IF you love me as love you,
There are no troubles we can't go
through
Whether this was merely an inspiration
Of the valentine season or whether 1t was
written into the play with cold blooded
malice aforethought the Washington play
goers may never know.
1t is the fashion now to quote a few Of
into their productions. One bit of with
cism introduced by Mrs. Langtry may not
be amiss as showing the character Of the
play as a whole. Flingfng her richly gowned
self upon a sofa deep in eiderdown, she
exclaimed:
"Oh, 1 had such a dreadful dream last
night: 1 thought Calve was beneath my
window singing Mr.. Dooley."
The musical comedy man had preceded
Mrs Langtry at the Columbia, however,
and had robbed the audience Of any laugh
such a line might otherwise attract. He
would probably not have been SO ungallant
had he known the distinguished English
lady was using the same style of talk.
+
Mr. Howard Hall is young man OF much
artistic energy. who evidently believes that
popular price money is just as good as any
other kind, and who Is determined to give
the public what it's willing to pay for.
Leigh Hunts old poem about the lover who.
in response to a 1ady's challenge, leaped
into the arena with the lions, and threw
the glove, but not with love, into the lady's
face" has offered him suggestion for
good. fashioned goosefiesh melodrama,
with real lions in 1t and your moneys worth
OF thrills from start to finish. But Mr.. Hall
displays tnat KNOWLEDGE OIL effect WHICH
constitutes the most essential but not the
highest attribute OF the playwright's skill,
and is himself an actor Of better abilities
than the average sensational performer. His
business at the AGA denny gave that house a
fine start under the guidance Of Mr.. Lyons.
who was formerly the treasurer Of the thea
ter and who has been permanently installed
as the resident manager.
=
At the Lafayette Square Theater Under
Southern Skies gave the public another
glimpse OF rurality. and the play proved
that Mrs. Lottie Blair Parker, who wrote
way Down East" is not to be hampered
by geographical boundaries. The entire map
is hers. Mrs. Parker had the misfortune to
be taken very seriously Ill in this city, but
is now on the road to recovery.
The practical joker Is abroad again. II
any person Is the recipient of violet val
entine. with pansies and hearts and cupids
and little poems about love and kisses. let
him not lay too much fiattering JUNCTION to
his soul. Let him inspect the missive with
ample caution. for there is a chance that
It will be merely another OF those Wilstach
boys tricks to advertise their star Adelaide
Thurston. Mr.. Claxton wilstach has del