The Washington times., 1903-04-28
he Little Princess. .
4 Play at the National Which Makes
Children Of Adults.

Hodgson Burnett's dramatization Of her
story. Sara Crewe." was presented last
night at the National The average the
viii find nothing unusual in the
announcement that Mrs. Burnett's play
is havia, a weeks run in Washington,
but the fact means more to the general
public and greater good to those who
Will go 10 the National this week than
many sermons preached from the pull
pits of Washington.
Commentator of an sxtravagant ma
tuTe has come to be a thing almost IN
known in the theatrical reviews of the
present day. There are many reasons
why the reviewer cannot be ruled by
enthusiasm after viewing certain pre-
sensations. but certainly no play Of the
present season or many previous ones
has been prod ctfve of more cheer. more
good. or more heaIthfuI results than the
quaint and human story Of child life
which Mrs. Burnett created and has SO
aPtly fitted to present day stage re-
quirements.
The Little Princess" is not to be
viewed in the light OF production,
and in that it has another advantage
over concurrent offerings It is the
simple telling of q simple story, by
company composed almost exclusively
OF children.
The effect of the play on the audience
was interesting While there were some
children in the house, notably a large
box party. the audience was he Gus
tomary Monday night gathering of the
people who have gone to see Sothern.
Mansfield. and other notable staTs-the
same people who have maTveIed at and
applauded the work Of these actors. who
have enjoyed the intrfcacies of stage
mechanism, and lauded the ingenuity of
managers Who presented sumptuous
stage pictures
These were the people who last night
sat spell bound at the simplicity Of the
things they heard and saw-Iistened wIth
Tapt attention TO the telling of a "Once
upon a time" story, and way down in
their hearts unconsciously thanked
someone for goodness. innocence. purity.
and children
The atmosphere of Child Life.
Tie play is one of the most beautiful
studies ever presented in Washing
ton theater. When a company of chill
dren. eDacting-rot emotional scenes.
fantastic pictures or sensational dra-
matte elimaxes-but their own sweet.
simple lives, playing their own games
teasing in their own little individual
WAYS and ncurishing in their little
hearts their own likes and dislikes: when
these small folks can hold a grown-up
audience under the spell of Juvenile
charm for three whole acts of a play
there is still room for hope that the
stage Of the future viii not truly be
given over t. problem stories and iuane
musical comedy.
Managers pirate about the 'atmos-
phere" of their productions and authors
strive zealously to obtain it for their
plays 4 Chinese lantern. an umbrella
or TWO, and q kimono do for a Chinese
play, while tent, a dusky attendant
and palm leaf fan sometimes answer
for India. But If one wants TO see real
atmosphere the influence which net
only transports one but claims his n
nermost feelings for what is before him
let him go to The Little Princess" see
the group Of school children in their
Classroom. note their pranks, study
their incIinauoas and feel with them IN
their emotions. and the question of at
mosphere" viii have 10 more confu-
sions in mis- mind.
Mrs Burnett has achieved a triumph.
With the accuracy with which in her
writings she studies out the real 1ru-
man phase Of chiId's nature. she has
constructed a play so simple. so true
and so heart-reaching that the theater-
going public should indeed rise up and
call her blessed.
She has entertained with simplicity
where others have relied on compIica-
ton. She has amused with humor where
others have employed satire She has
substituted purity and innocence for the
depravity and degrading Influences Of
other themes. Her conception Of child
mischief was never so agreeably brought
before her admirers as in the present
play Her little characters are mis-
chievous daring plotting but always
iovabIe and innocent mites. Their en-
actment OF The parts assigned them is
marvellous They play their tricks, suffer
their little trials, enjoy their sports just
Is they would we're the stage their own
homes or the schoOITOom.
A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups.
To Multa James is assigned the role
Of sara Crewe. the little princess Miss
James has another success IN chiId's
parts 10 her credit. and gives a Won
derfully realistic portrayal Of the I.tIe
girl whose '-supposing' probably
brought her more happiness than all the
wealth and luxury which finally came
10 her. Miss James occupies unique
position among her emporaries- She
has the gift Of emotion. and embodjes
the role OF Sara with ali the forIorn
nature. yet all the ieyabIeness and op-
timistfc ch5Fact eristics. its author gave
it years ago Her success was
instantly assured. Little BeryI Morse.
as Lottie. and Master Donald Gal
Iagher. as Donald. scored dfstInc-
tive hits. just as themselves. They
are two Of the cIeverest juveniles ever
seen here. Louise Galloway offered a
fine study as the scGIlery maid Becky.
and Contributed an excellent bit of char
acter 10 the story Mabel TaHaferro. as
ys-v..-y, 90. -.sr moe y--zgT.r+ ~ o.fz