The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-09-01
Repeats Popular Triumph of
Former Years Before Dis
tinguished Audience at
the Lafayette.
when Women Love" at the
Academy-"Coon Hol-
low" at Empire-"Cher-
ry Blossoms" in Burlesque
Eugene Blair in "Zaza."

Eugene Blair in "Zaza"
In the presence of an audience which
early made the IS. R. o. sign a neces-
sity and which included in the number
of interested spectators Postmaster Gen
eral and Mrs. Payne, Lieut.. Gen. s. b.
NJ. Young and other notables. the sec
ond week OF the season at the Lafay-
cite was begun with capable produc-
ton of Belasco's play "Zaza,' with Eu-
genie Blair in the title role.
AS Washington theatergoers have had
repeated opportunity to view this pro-
duction heretofore. both by Mrs. Leslie
Carter and by Miss Blair, the audience
OF last night was less a tribute to the
playright's work than an undisguised
appreciation of the artistic interpreta-
ton given il by the star and her able
supporting company. Miss Blair has
twice personally within a year essayed
the same role here. and her selection Of
the play for the opening of her rom-
ed a confidence which an enthusiastic
audience proved not misplaced
The intensely emotional scenes in
which "Zaza' abounds did not seem try
ing TO Miss Blair in the mastery Of her
art Her grasp of the stage require.
ments of each incident portrayed. and
her sympathetic appreciation of the hu,
man feelings dominating the role Of
each principal in the cast. gave her II E
power to interpret the name part u
the fullest, advantage histrionically. Con-
sistent applause was the popular tribute
throughout the long production-iastIng
until 1855 oclock-and several huge
punches of American Beauties and Other
roses at the end of the third act gave
further indication of the appreciative
view of the stars work.
Katherine De Barry, as Rosa Bonnie.
gave a most finished Interpretation of
the amusing part of Zaza's aunt Her
propensity for enjoying little exhiIar-
ating teddy, whenever a decanter was
within reach, afforded opportunities.
which she invariably improved, for both
vocal and facial manipulation OF an en-
tertaining sort. Her manner, her cos
tune, and her irrepressible comments
on the proper handling of husbands
parts. She fully depicted the accuracy
of the playful nickname given her of
the Queen of Donkeys."
The role of Cascart, Zaza's singing
partner, and the cold, common-sense
business half of they combination. was
we'll taken care of by Harry c. Browne.
an experienced actor we'll known in
Washington. His confident bearing
eontrasted we'll with the futtering.
emotional nature of Zaza. His work
was finished in every sense of the word
Maurice Wilkinson, as Bernard Dufrene,
Zaza's willful lover, in his exposition
of a mans duplicity. did best in the
quarrel scene in Zaza's home, when she
accuses him and causes him a little
anxiety on the score of his probable re-
ception on returning home. The out
burst of the enraged paramour was
capably Offset by Zaza's feminine in
dignation
Much interest was evinced in the
work OF a Washington young woman.
Lucia F. Huxford. daughter of Major
w P. Huxford, L. S. A, retired. It was
her professional debut here in a part
of Importance and she made a success
OF her effort. Though the part of
Nathalie, Zaza's maid, has limited pos