The Washington times., 1903-02-17
ION THE ALTAR OF FRIENDSHIP"
DISPELS THE GLOOM OF IRIS"
The Columbia-Mrs. Langtry in 1.-THE
CTOss-Ways"

After several years absence. during
which she has been more OF less active
in theatrical affairs abroad. Mrs. Lang
try returned to Washington last nisht
and presented her own and j. Hartley
Manners play. The Cross Ways. at the
Columbia Theater Despite the driving
storm which swept over Washington
brilliant and distinguished audience.
largely representative OF the Capitals
smart set. paid tribute TO the English
actress by attending the opening per
formanco The house was filed with
handsomely gowned women and distin-
guished men.
Much interest conferred on the produc-
ton OF The Cross Ways" IS Mrs Lang
try's press agent has been diligent in
his assurances that the play was pre-
scented but once previous TO the COM
pany's departure from England to these
shores, and that al Buckingham Palace.
at the command Of his royal highness-
King Edward VII. and that Mrs. Lang
try and her company sailed away with
the stamp OF his majestys approval
To attempt any criticism on the play
from the standpoint Of American taste
in such things would be gross injus-
tice 70 Mrs Langtry and her co-worker-
Mr.. Manners. Both are English in every
essential. and their careers have been
confined almost exclusively to their ma
tive stage: with its atmosphere indeli-
bly, imprinted in their personalities and
their work il is naturally 70 be expected
thar whatever they may do. whether
pIaywriting or acting will be undeni-
ably and most emphatically English.
That IS. in a word The CrOss-Ways.
The play is English in tone. is acted in
a slow. almost draEgy manner, long pc
ruliar to the British stage, and serves
only to present the star in a mood which
gives her abilities more opportunity and
makes her costly gowns a secondary
/ consideration.
/ The Cross Ways" is not a problem
/ play. but a simple story OF the extremes
4 to which a wife may be driven by the
unwarranted jealousy of a husband. In
] this instance the wife is prompted TO
/ seek the society OF another man,
young ambitious. and wholly promising
! barrister-and nearly wrecks his life
/ and her own before she is made TO real
| ize the folly OF her ways and returns TO
/ her husbands arms. Four acts are COLI
sumed in telling the story. which has
but one real climax This is at the end
OF the third act. when the husband finds
his wife in the young lawyers house.
and the motive OF the scene is adroitly
turned through the quick wit OF the
! host.
Mrs. Langtry has been seen here but
seldom in late years. but she appears to
/ maintain her hold on public interest. IL
! must be confessed that. to her disad-
vantage. the role Of the Duchess OF
! Kingsbury is written almost in a mono
tone and gives her ability for comedy
| small sway. She is at her best in the
lighter passages. reading the lines with
much natural charm, but in the more
lemotional phases she drops into af-
/ fected poses and stilted delivery that
mar her Interpretation TO very mate
rial degree She evidences her artistic
bent in making up to suit the melan-
choly trend OF the character. for in this
new play her famous beauty has none Of
the old-time bloom. but the pallid cast
which the character demands Mrs
Langtry's work is. Of course. Ianguid
with a subtle touch OF natural humoi
which some OF our greatest American
players have not yet acquired. She re-
lies on quiet effects rather than gustO
There is one attribute. however. whicf
she and other English players evidently
do not attempt TO master-Erace.
Hartley Manners is responsible for
one-h half or the writing of "The Cross
Ways. and the best bit OF acting in tn,
play that Of the role OF Richard. LORD
Scarlet. In that Mr.. Manners and Mrs
LaEgtry collabOrated in the writing Of
IN, play. IL is impossible TO accredit any
particular part OF 10 tC either but n,
audience lost no time in realizing thai
Nj. Manners is very capable actor
with a wealth of comedy instinct and
breezy. natural method that launches
J him into popularity from the start
Matheson Lang was much cOmmende,
as Sir Charles CToffte. The part is a,
, IN grateful and unsatisfying as possible
The rest OF the company is fair. Mrs
. Langtry's gowns and those Of the wO
men in her support are attractive crea
tions and add much TO the stage pictures