The Washington times., 1903-02-17
Mr.. and Mrs. Goodwin
Achieve Pronounced Sue
cess in Mrs. Ryley's New
PLAYA Fine Comedy.

and the scent Of heather has driven out
Of the National Theater the last trace Of
the dollhouse yerdurc which made the
air heavy all last week. The patrons of
this playhouse last night perceived this
gladly. expanded their lungs TO the full.
ana al the close OF the evening went out
into the storm with their faces wreathed
in smiles and their hearts light. Pure
air and aunbeams we're thus their own
justification.
10 contras; could be greater than that
between the audiences which viewed
Iris" and ,hat which welcomed Mr.. and
Mrs. Goodwin yesterday. The one play
depressed it, spectators Ike pail: the
o.her cleared away ;he haze Of The days
work. Frightened the spirits. and dis
missed its auditors with firm faith in
The v.rtuc of right living ana clear
view Of the beauty Of life. % is to be
doubted seriously whether i'm the course
OF It's whole existence the movement to
display The great realities OF life upon
rho sraqe.' has ever done so much real
GOOD as play like Tho Altar 1t
Friendship can DO in single night.
For the relief from Iris then. many
thanks: ard for the coming OF Ar and
Mrs Goodwin many. many more.
~Tbe Altar Of Friendship" presents
chose excellent actors IN sipsu!arly con
renial roles. Mr. Goodwin appears as q
b,chelor-carcIcss negligent OF appear
naces. and largo Of heart. Miss Elliott
s.. his -chun.'. y young woman OF charm
81 person. fine character. pure mind, and
b.lpful influence. Both are permitted
H. the author. Mrs. Madeleine Lucette
p,-iev IN indulge iheir fine sense Of hu-
NOR They appear as lovers in the three
various stages OF sentimental progress
unconscious introduction. playful discus
sion and serious conclusion. Running
even with the course OF their love is
another story-the shadow which bright
ems the high light Of their final happiness
the career Of novitiate whose weak
noes alters sadly the lives OF two women
II SIS enough to indicate the plot TO say
thai for the hero and heroine the way IS
not always smooth. that all ends well
and that plot and character studies con-
tribute admirably to the gentle laughter
which these actors invariably inspire
Their view Of life is healthful. Their
purposes are good Their art is unques-
toned As fair consequence they
count confidently on continued support
not from the 1ieyOtees Of morbidity. but
from The most gentle bred and sincere
pIaygoers OF every city. Their position
Is surely TO be envied.
Between the waves OF laughter which
accompanied the performance last night
there were occasional tributes 10 MI
Goodwin as comedian which must have
delighted him greatly could he only
have heard II was common observa-
lion that he meant more &c his followers
than any tragedian now alive. Refer
srces 10 his purpose 10 play Richard III
and Shvlock we're accompanied by dis
raragfng waves Of the hand. Mr.. Good
,vsa was wonderfully reIished in comedy
no other venture could be half 50 ac-
ocrtablc
such an attitude is. Of course. a no
table tribute Yet in a measure b. i'
p profound misfortune. and the weight
OF il must prove CALLING 20 Mr. Goodwin
a. frequent intervals. No artist is con
tent with sharp limitations. Miehae
angelo was al once a sculptor. an archi
tect a painter and a poet. Shakespeare
touched every side OF life. Art is -
r,uch a matter Of perception that whel
orce SITS lesson has been taught IT.
teachings apply themselves througi
many channels. So. in all likelihood
Mr.. Goodwin resents this disposition =
c, mine mis- acting. TO limit his study Z
e particular phase Of life. and longs 10
q fair trial in broader fields Coqueiin
nose limitations are not less defnitive
is permitted by his patrons TO enac
THE Bells" Lester Wallack- an al
rairsble light comedian. often did seriou
rc,es. Yet neither was lost 70 the stag
- comedian and the world was even
tunilv much the gamer. Versatility J
an attribute rare enough on the stage
n Mr.. Goodwin can prove himself pos
rcseed Of IL ne deserves the opportunity
Continued applause after the thir
act yesterday evening resulted in hi
sppearance before the curtain and IN
sistent calls for a speech To the lat
ter Mr. Goodwin merely shook his head
and probably that course was best il
however he could have pleaded his wv
cause then. II his hearers could haY
been brought face TO face with the dim
culties they themselves have impose
on favorite actor, tho result must al
most surely have been good In IN
end such audiences are the real ties
OF an actors merit; critics merely at
tempt TO forecast the judgment Of sue
audiences. and the frank expression @
Mr.. Goodwin's entirely worthy purpos
might have done moro 10 widen his or
portunitles in single evening than al
he plcadings Of critics in a year.
Meanwhile the audience Of last nigh
will duplicate itself az often as this ex
ceilent company appears on the stage
Night after night as many persons a
The playhouse can seat viii bow thei
md l------ n