The Washington times., 1903-04-28
Otis Skinner Acts With
Much Skill and Good Ell
feet in ''LaZ8rre" -SpIen-
did Enactment Of a Fairly
Good Play.

LGEdETt lie Was &SEicteu BE one 81
the most evenly balanced and consis-
tentIy capable companies which have
appeared in Washington This year. As
was TO be expected, however. he was
greeted by only half an audience. and
his local advent oCCasioned only little
part Of the stir which attends the ap-
pearance OF a miserable musical comedy
OF pair OF cheap German knock-about
farceurs.
LazarTe' IS paTaphTase of book
Of the same name, written by Mary
HartweH Catherwood, which appeared in
the American market about two years
ago. and occasioned some comment. It
dealt with the life in America of a
strange youth, EIeazor Williams.
the putatiye son Of Louis XIV and
Marie Antoinette. statement on the
program explains that this supposititious
-half-breed was visited in the course Of
his early manhood at Green Bay, Wis,
by the Prince de Joinvine. son Of Louise
Philippe, and heir to the throne OF
France. and that the youths age, com
plexion. and marks upon his body es-
tablished him as the Lost Dauphin.
Where History ExceIs Romance.
This hook apparently interested Mr.
Skinner and many other Americans
deeply Like the story of the little
princes IN the tower, Of the man with
the iron mask. and the lost coIonists
OF Hampton Roads. the romance Of this
unhappy little nobleman seems TO have
q perenniaI1y fresh interest This it
was, rather than literary merit or dra-
matte interest. which gave the book
''Lazarre' its chief claim on the public
attention.
This it IS. also which most distin-
cuisines the play made by Mr.. Skinner
and Aubrey BoucicanIt from the book
No one OF intelligence will view this
drama as great dramatic conception.
Indeed, the most intelligent theater-
goers v-ill regard it as hardly more thar
acceptable, and everyone who knows
the broad range of Mr. SINNERS his
trionic abilities and the splendid fire of
his more dramatic approximations must
adiudge it entirely unworthy Of such
qualities.
MT. SINNERS Fine Achievement.
,Iazarre' is. however, in the general
sense a distinctiveIy worthy dramatic
offering.
L is singulaTly picturesque. in that
II presents several views of country life
IN Interior New York, a picture Of Lake
George in The moonlight with the waters
OF the lake shimmering. a Ievee at the
court Of Napoleon. the palace of the
exiled Count de Provence. at Nit
tau Russia. and Lazarre's Wisconsin
home in the woods at Green Bay
It presents as its chief character
youth whose beauty and charm OF person
are pronounced. whose character is stall
wart. constant and noble. and whose
life comp-ehends series Of events
which are sensational to the degree of
unbelief. and fancifuI almost beyond the
limit Of history.
It's claims upon the actor are
manifold He must be romantic. 9oeti-
cal. saturnine. restrained, inpulsiEe,
primitive courtIy and withal. consis-
tently straightforward, Ioftily minded,
and sincere This is a difficult task but
It is only. the measure Of Mr.. SINNERS
SURPRISING enactment.
This star has long been distinguished
for his excellent companies. For this pre-
santajion he has manifestly endeavored
10 equal in Intelligence. breadth. and
completeness the organization which
made his Francesca da RamiHir one or
the dramatic sensations Of q decade It's
chief figures are Maud Durbin who eradi-
Gates rather an unfavorable impression
left by earlier undertakings with fine
Of
gle de Ferirer. the heroine; Naunette
Comstoek. the imperious. coy. seif-sat-
.ished beauty. AnnabeI de Chaumont; Wal
Ter Allen. who presents pleasing and
thoughtful Characterization as Dr.. Chan
try; Charles B. Wells. an energetic and
decidedly human Napoleon; Walter
Lewis, who appears as Skenedoah. "a
Indian foster brother 10 Lazarre, who
carries through every scene Of the play
the air Of unbroken forests. Indian vii
lagos and savage stoicism.
A Can to Nobler Tasks.
II may thus be seen that 'Ilazarre"
is a picturesque and romantic drama
built about the life OF a historic per
souage Of deep and significant interest,
and that the play is extremely well act
ed. It's claim upon the support of the
theatergoers is, therefore established,
especially so upon those who find pleas
ure in beautiful stage scenes well paint
ed, noble characters. admirably present
ed. and story pure in all its details.
absorbing in its interest. and uplifting
in its impairment Of ane ideals and
lofty sentiments.
Bat the performance cannot fail TO in
spire regret that SO great an actor oc-
cupies his talents with so moderately
good play. he IS carrying wool 10
The loom who ought TO be weaving great
tapestries. After Francesca da Rtmini.
Er SINNERS responsibilities became
important. comprehensive. and great.
The stage possesses too Few meas able
TO meet them TOO few who can act such
roles as Brutus. Romeo. Lear. Shylock.
Lanciotto. and Hamlet. and 10 all these
characters Mr. SINNERS conspicuous
talents and studious mind make him po-
tentiaIiy equal Those VINO enroll them
selves. therefore. either as his friends
or as earnest students OF the drama
must alike regret what is comparatively