The Washington times., 1903-10-27
Actress Enters on Career in
Shakesperean Roles With
Strong Augury Of Success.
Cordially Welcomed.
Investiture and Acting Both
illuminate the Stage
John Blair the Chief Fig
ure of a Fine Company.

The freest expression Of Shakespeare
genius his beautiful comedy of Twelfth
Night" was performed at the New Ma
tional Theater last night by Viola Allen.
John Blair, and a company OF marked
ability.
The entertainment was IN every way
worthy of Draise-the several scenes dis
played We're appropriate to the text.
beautiful to the eye. and en- education
TO the mind in historical and architec-
tural accuracy; the minor roles We're
performed with rare skill and satisfac-
tiOns Mr.. Blair. as MalvOliO. once
thought the chief character OF the COM
edy, and Miss Allen. as Viola. long the
students favorite among all the women
of Shakespeare. established their rank
as notable figures in the Interpretation
of Shakespearean drama; and the COM
edy was unfolded with continuity. ex-
petition. and fuency which gave it more
charm than any similar performance in
Washington for many years.
It is to be remarked with pleasure that
an audience which reflected particularly
the elegance and intellect Of resident
Washington gave itself up with blithe
spirit to the enjoyment OF so splendid
comedy so meritoriously interpreted.
A Local Proprietorship.
Washington hiss looked forward to
Miss Aliens appearance IN Shakespeare
with pleasurable anticipation ever since
she entered here so auspiciously upon
her career as a star four years ago. Her
position in every American community
is most enviable; but Washington has
regarded her with something akin 70
proprietorship since she made her bow
from this same stage and went out TO
win success with the encouragement Of
the Capital ringing in her ears.
She vas then. as now. an admitted
mistress of her craft. She had then. as
since. directed her energies mainly 20
plays marked by beauty Of text and
purity OF substance. But the qualities
OF her art of that day. while they con
tinue to characterize all her movements
on the stage. have been distinctly and
happily deepened. SO II Is that an en-
HANGED value has been given TO per-
sonaiity Of bright humor. manifest last
night in a roguish stimulation CT frolic.
which sparkled through but could not
hide the fine seriousness Of her Viola; 70
q dignified womanhood. which spoke in
every tone OF her voice and every action
OF her body. and 70 a CLOWNS purity
which sUfTused her whole impersonation-
Miss Allen wen. from Washington four
yeas ago announced as z GLAD discev-
cry. She viii go from Il now sealed as
g precions possession 10 the stage. glad
~ welcomed and reluctantly dismissed
Acceptable Limitations.
Her art has. It Is true. fixed limita-
tons. She could not. for example. inn
pcrsonate juliet as that young firebrand
was recently acted here by Miss Galland
CT ady Macbeth az we are told that
role was acted by the great Mrs. Sid
doas. Hers is rather a talent like Miss
Rehan's. which gives melody and sweet
ness TO every note in the song OF com
e6y. and Ike Miss Rehan her contribu-
ton TO art Is most valuable when she
deals with that hunnor which Is wit and
love combined. and which-as was said
by one Of the most benign Of humorists-
has refreshed myriads more from hel
natural springs than ever tragedy has
watered from her pompous old urn
Such were the limitations OF Hawthorne
and Mendelssohn. and II Miss Allen es-
tablishes her title 10 rank with thos,
notable figures. she will have attained
70 an envfable position indeed.
The qualities which distinguished III
writings Of Hawthorne and the musii
Of Menhelssobn are. significantly tn
key 70 this bright comedy Like man,
OF the Twice Told Tales" Il deals witt
the Greece OF long ago. Like 1.-THE Mar
bic Faun." it abounds IN fancy. Lik
every writing from Hawthorne's pen /
Is a series Of beautiful thoughts. III b.
the purest humor and moving on steadi
~ to q worthy and consonant conclu
sion. Twelfth Night" though. has
pronounced characteristic FOR which tn
student must turn 70 the music OF Men
delssohn. If he would keep within thi
comparisOn-it is redolent Of Iightness
Eayety. and freedom. and. in spite Of IL
serious portent. moves the heart (.
laughter. while yet the eyes glisten viii
tears.
A Gentle Figure.
In such a work the chief character
that OF Viola. Is a figure Of poetic beau
~. Of tender loveliness Of exquisite 10,
and radiant grace and Of steadfast. pur
and noble affection. She has been caIie
'.Shakespeare's ideal OF the patien- IDOL
airy and the devoted. silent. self-sacri
fee Of perfect love" Rosalnd who /
commonly regarded as Shakespeare,
finest figure Of womanly spirituality an
refinement stOops 50 far as TO lure he
sweetheart on But Viola Is superior L
that Disguised as boy, she Is conten
20 serve her lord on % the end. even {
plead his cause with the woman IA
loves.
IT hat is true love which desires no
its own happiness but the happiness O
fits object. and which feels without an
conscious knowledge that itself is "a
perfection Of human sentiment and tina
# may be better TO lose than 10 win.
The incarnation Of that spirit on III
stage requires a person of equal lowell
ness. a character Of true innocence an
a temperament gay, gentle. guileles'
simple. generous and sincere. u Is no
too much 10 say Of Miss Allen that sh
accomplishes nearly all OF even thi
great task. She has assuredly abundan
youth, intelligence. beauty. and lowell
ness. and as a Dutatiye boy charms b
virtue Of a happy laugh. proud spiri
ma hrurF -