The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-15

~ 49,
To the Theatrical Critic OF the Wash
ington Times:
Dear Sir-wiu you allow one OF a
large class OF Washington citizens who |
were "buncoed" by haring press agent
puffs to spend their good money 10 wit
ness the "Stubbornness Of Geraldine" at i,
the National this week, briefly to an
Rlyze the play % from an audience !
point OF view?
No wonder Mr. Clyde Fitch has a large |
income from royalties and can grind out
alleged plays almost weekly II this one
is a fair sample. The wonder is that
managers will pay money for such trash.
IL he took up more than five minutes
OF his valuable time to think up such a
play he o1ght 10 be horsewhipped; and
IL Miss Mannering is. the best her man
sger can do in the way OF a star. with
her mannerisms and lamentabIe want OF
voice. he has not seen hundreds of de-
serving young actresses upon the stage
who can at least make themselves heard
and understood by the audience
When will critics criticise again as
they did in times long past?
AN OLD THEATERGOER.
Washington. d. c, March Il. 1903
The foregoing is part OF the weeks
Rrist ground by the local postofiice and
delivered to The Times From the testi-
mony OF critics throughout the country.
this letter has innumerable counter
parts. AS no play ever satisfied all it's
spectators so no criticism ever satisfied
all its readers. 1t is now the turn OF The
Times, and The Times. recognizing a
situation which is palpable. win do its
best TO smile sweetly and bow its thanks.
AS is no doubt manifest, the excerpts
printed above are only the beginning and
close of the letter. The substance con-
Germs an outline OF The Stubbornness OF
Geraldine in which IL is said hat most
of the characters talk with their backs
to the audience. most of the scenes are
incongruous. and most OF the acting vile.
There is some consolation in that-the
play and the actors fare no better than
the critic.
THE Stubbornness of Geraldine" has
been variously viewed and variously
judged. IN New York Il was dismissed
with scant attention. This was taken
everywhere else to be a good sign. as
New Workers are not supposed even by
New York critics to know anything above
cheap comic opera. musical comedy.
German comedy and ragtime. In Phil
adelphia and Baltimore. in Washing
ton. opinion has been divided. One
group OF critics has seen in IL the
very best work Clyde Fitch has ever
done; the other has condemned IL as
shallow. empty, and dull The acting.
however. has been generally commend
ed. so that our critic OF the caustic pen
stands alone IN that position.
To The Times the play seemed to pos
eess extraordinary merit.
Its presentations OF Monday night We'd
nesday afternoon, and Saturday after
noon were accompanied by almost con-
tinuous laughter. Whenever the spirit
OF comedy was dismissed the audiences
sat in the closest attention. The play
has been much discussed locally. Final
", the attendance was large. and in this
instance. where neither subject matter
nor treatment can be given any posi-
bic misconstruction. this is a fine sign.
So II seems fair to conclude that Wash
ington theatergoers also Endorsed the
play. whatever New York. Philadelphia.
or other cities might think Of IT.
From the viewpoint OF the critic the
play commended Itself to equal favor.
Il was ingeniously, II simply. construct
ed Behind the simple outline of asso-
citation. love difficulty and conquest. was
placed the most unusual background Mr.
Fitch has given any Of his plays. THE
Climbers portrayed the concommitants
OF A funeral. but nothing in that scene
could compare in interest and humor
with the first act OF this newer play
The second act with its ever growing
pile OF trunks and the third with its
lesson in bridge" we're almost as clev-
err The concluding act found the audi
ence too deeply concerned in the plot 20
desire much comedy; but when the hero
appeared most Unexpectedly in the midst
OF a uniformed Hungarian band laughter
was frequent
The substance deserves more common
dation still. Mr. Fitch has not always
been careful in choosing his material.
But The StUbbornness OF Geraldine
was interesting without being sugges-
tive and Iaughable without being cacri-
legious. At its close the auditor left
the theater with a smile In his heart
and kindness shining In his face. The
dialogue was clever. and the delineation
OF character. as character manifests it.
self these days in real life, was extra
ordinary.
So IL was that a play re-enfOrced by
ingenuity, humor interest. pleasure.
cleverness. dramatic skill and fine ef-
feet on the playgoer was adjudged
worthy OF praise. II these grounds are
not suffcient-there is another count in
the indictment against criticism and
II is already long enough, as every
body knows.
Now the truth OF the matter is that
our "Old Theatergoer" and nearly
ovnrYnne else Interested in The theater