Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-21
THE THEATER.
Columbia Theater.

1t may be questioned whether Dickens,
| as seen through De Wolf Hoppers eyes
will thoroughly satisfy the devoted adj
mirers of that ever-popular author, but the
| audience at the Columbia last night left
| no doubt to its approval of the blythe
lyrics, the pretty scenery and the constant
sparkle of merriment, some of which plain
| ly owed its inspiration to sources far more
| modern than "Pickwick Papers" Mr.. Hop
per in his imperSonation of the title role
sees fit to depart from the bland benevo-
lence of that dear old gentleman and endow
him with the aggressive though harmless
egotism which has sounded the keynote
of so many of the comedians previous sue
cesses Mr. Pickwck, with his customary
affability, yields graciously to the Hop
perian mood. and the role is mirth-provok-
ing even if not wholly in accord with pre-
conceived notions.
The adjustment of Pickwick Papers to
the purposes of musical comedy is a bold
enterprise, and one which the reverent
reader would be inclined to discount on the
face of things. The adaptation assumes
to do little more than to borrow the char
acters and few of the situations and
make them stand as excuses for dances
and dittieS which, though they may be as
charming the flowers in spring, are dis
tinctly open to the usual musical comedy
case. The lyrics exceptionally well
written, but less faithful in rejecting the
whimsical temperament of Dickens peo-
pie than would be expected from their
author. MIR. Grant Stewards imper-
Sonation of Jingle is more than any other
character in the piece a reflection of the
original. To put it in feebly jocose phrase,
Mr.. Stewards Jingle is better than his
rhymes: and this in the face of the unde-
niable merit of the latter 1t was pleas
ure to see the familiar characters-famlllar
even to those who have been unable 10
take Pickwick Papers entirely to their
hearts and were content for the most part
to merely look at the plctureS-poftrayed
in flesh and blood; to see Mr. Norman as
Tony Weller punctuating his emblttered az,
vice with cracks of his whiplash, to behold
Digby Bell as the devoted Slmivel, youth
full and buoyant, yet well acquainted with
the severe philosophy of the world, and to
observe the asperities of the personally
popular though professionally nnlovely
Laura joyce Bell as the re'louotabie Mis-.
Bardell. And Mr.. Wardle as played by
j. X Adams and Winkle-poor Mr. VIM
kle-portrayed by Louis Payne-they were
welcome guests at the little reunion where
old friends were recognized in spite OF
changes which time and circumstances
have brought about. Clara Lane as Ara
bella, sang with charming effectiveness.
and little Marguerite Clark fiuttered and
frisked through the entire piece IKE sill
very mote in an enormous sunbeam vi
comedy. f..
Mr.. Hopper was of course called upon for
a speech. He referred to his delight at be-
ing present He thanked his audience for
30 per cent of their applause, since the play
was only half over, and expressed his salts
faction at being able, after much overnight
standing to tarry a week in Washington
and enjoy a stationary bed. This luxury he
could not fully enjoy however. as it took
two men to help him-one to shake the bed
and another to throw cinders in his face
la Pullman. He referred briefly to his eX-
perience in touring through an adjoining
state. where he made the botanical discov-
cry that the railroads of that section were
the original Virginia creepers.
1t was distinctly humorous and enthusl-
astic occasion, and calculated to disarm
even the resentment of the devout Dickens
WOrShiper.