The Washington times., 1903-09-13

TO commend Mr. Lewis for his sincere
and artistic work, though lamentin4
what it was pleased 10 call the ''Iugu-
orious' side OF his Orlando. However.
the fact remains that when 1 saw the
| performance OF "As You Like II" at the
Manhattan Theater. Mr. Lewis was ac-
| corded such a distinct ovation that his
triumph was second only to that of the
star. Mr.. Lewis is an actor of whom
splendid things may be expected in the
near future.
personal" a Failure.
William Collier has had a bad fau
with Personal" a comedy bv Eugene
W. Presbrey. in which Collier returned
TO the stellar ranks a few NIGHTS am
az the Biiou Theater. Mr.. Collier "a
now under the management of Weber A.
Fields, the shrewd gentlemen who have
made fortune with a music hall, which
they may possibly lose in starring other
actors unless they show better iudC-
ment than they displayed in selecting
Golfers vehicle
In the first place, 1t is almost an
axiom among well-informed theatrical
people that Eugene Presbrey cannot
write a good play. He has produced
more failures than any writer for the
stage in recent years. yet so barren Is
the field OF American playwrights that
he still succeeds in getting his manu-
scripts produced Even this year. be-
sides Personal" he has completed
manuscript called The Amateur Cracks
man. based on the novel. which. being
dramatization instead OF an original
work. may possibly succeed.
Collier has scored a personal success,
and has worked hard to lift the mass OF
gloom which Presbrey has thrown at
him under the name OF q play. But even
a good company. a talented star. and
liberal management cannot entirely re-
trieve the hopeless affair. Weber <
Fields we're so sure of Golfers success
that they leased the Bijou Theater out
right for twenty weeks. Now they are
probably wondering about the remain
ing eighteen weeks OF time which mug:
be filled with some attraction
@Three Little Maids"
Meanwhile it is refreshing to drop IN
at Daly's Theater and see the most de-
lightfuI Offering England has sent US in
years. This Is Three Little Maids"
musical comedy without a chorus. and
the most wholesome. fragrant, and en-
tertaining musical comedy since "A Run
away Girl" II is playing TO the largest
audiences assembled inside Daly's
Theater in years. Seats are on sale
IN nd -
sible to get a good seat for any per-
formance inside the next three weeks
The story is deIieiously fragile. Three
little counry girls. daughters OF coun-
try curate, are loved by three young
men. who in turn are engaged TO three
society girls. The three little maids
go up 10 London town 10 open a tea
shop, the three young men make love
to them and the three society girls.
jealous. dress I'D as tea girls 10 con-
fuse their fances. The three little mails
prove more attractive TO the three young
men. however. and the three pairs of
lovers escape in three automobiles. and
go 20 she country home of their chap
eron, where all ends prettily.
The three little maids are charniEgly
naive and attractive. and the entire COM
pany. while typicaIiy English, is unusu-
ally clever. G. P. HuntIey, a comedian,
who PLAYS the role OF an English John
ME. is one of the quaintest and most
artists comedians ever seen in an Eng
lish musical comedy. Three Little
Maids" will run at Daly's until Novern-
Der, when it will go on tour.
peggy From Paris"
George Ade's latest opera, Peggy
from Paris" had its New York premiere
at Wallack's Theater last night, and it
scored a regular Ade success. II Is much
more entertaining than The Sultan of
Sulu.' Aces earlier opera, due perhaps
TO the fact that AIDE Is more .exper-
fenced writer OF stage dialogue at the
present time.
The story of Peggy from Paris" deals
with Peggy Plummer, a girl from Hick-
ory Greek, H., who goes TO Paris 10
perfect her musical education and re-
turns to the United States a French
prima donna. The humor consists largely
in the contrast between the homeIy Illi-
nois folks and Peggy with her Frenchy
manners and retinue. The first act, rep
resenting an old time party at country
town, is picturesque and amusing.
Georgia Caine plays the title role. but
to my way OF thinking. the real star Of
the production is a pretty and clever
girl named Helen Hale. who plays the
role of Lilly Ann Lynch. She is becom-
ing popular on Broadway.
My Wife's Husband" has begun the
last fortnight OF it's successful run at
the Madison Square Theater, all efforts
to secure additional time at that theater
having proved futile, because of the fact
that the lease held by Charles Frohman
and Nathaniel Roth expires on October l.
After that time. the engagement of
Grace George. contracted for last spring.
commences. The spectacle Is therefore
presented of one OF the best comedies
seen in years unanimously praised by
every critic in New York. and playing
to the capacity of the theater each night.
forced to terminate its New York run ct