The Washington times., 1904-10-30
A Notable Week
Miss Aliens Brilliant Pro-
duCtiOn and Miss Walsh's
Impressive PLAY -Whatthe
Two Representatives, in
Prospect.

Torrance Of "The Winters Tale" alone
that made this past week remarkable
IN our annals OF the stage. Miss Walsh's
Resurrection" was hardly less worthy
of notice and study. At either theater the
mind was fully occupied. At either the
alter the acting was unusually even. the
invesuture was accurate and HIusioniz-
inK. and the star surpassed the most
generous expectations. The week was
rich theatrically. We shall not soon
look on its like -ain
The Ninety and Nine" at the Lafay-
cite did not add 10 the prestige OF melo-
drama, Doubtless there were many who
enjoyed the play, but the clientele Of the
Lafayette is, on the whole as discrimin-
atin% as that Of any theater in Wash
ington. and fl bestows its support ac-
cordinE 10 its discrimination. Nine
Siaponsh and the Milton and Dolly
Mobiles company made the bin at Chase's
well worthy OF that house
An Unending Progress,
The Winters Tale" was chiefly noted
and Il gave pleasure chiefly for Miss
Aliens brilliant Representations. The
art OF this actress seems 20 be always
evolving from chrYsaiis. Away back
IN 1SSS she appeared here as a young
girl star IN q comedy called Talked
About The comedy faiIed-but net the
star. She was greeted as young vo-
man OF extreme promise In the lighter
and more conventional roles.
Then came the discovery-in the
course Of her experience with The EN-
pire TheateT stock Company-that in
the modern dress suit or parior play
Miss Allen had no equal Next She ad-
vanced into independence as a star, pro-
duced "a dramatized novel which was
regarded by ten managers out Of every
eleven as certain Ialiura. and took IL
about the country IN a perfect whiFiwind
Of favor
Then came another dramat1zed novel
10 complete the test and theu-Shakas-
peare. II Is now much 10 be doubted
il any other actress ON the American
stage controls AN equal support from
the public in classic comedies.
This actress popularity is now so
much matter OF fact that il occasions
nc comment Yet IL was entirely un-
suspected even by Miss Aliens manage
ment when she appeare- in The Chris
tan. The impression prevailed every
where that her position was due rather
10 long service with the Empire Theater
company than 20 any personal favor
she might enjoy among the patrons of
That company. The first season was call
cuiated therefore, a. d means or intro
dueuon. When her name had become
sufficiently known there would then he
time enough 10 make her tours proht-
able. This q must be noted. was the
view -ot-the mana gsEnen tzs-8sEaat AEIss
allen and her personal associates
thought 81 another matter.
Encouraged 10 Shakespeare
The outcome Is familiar theatrical his
tory. in Washington, Baltimore. small
HaH .a.rr.
smaller New England cities. everywhere
through the Middle West, Chicago. and
half the country besides. her audiences
sWamped all the records OF the Empire
Iheater Company. Men and women
Travelled half a day each wag 40 see her
IN one performance The season not
only made Bliss alien kuoWu-ft made
her and her managers financially secure
THE Eternal City" which followed
ne Christian, was secoBd-ratc
play, Here and there were flashes OF
real dramatic lire. But the PLAY was
neither Eood as hterature nor strong
as drama Nevertheless. Miss Allen not
only held together the following she
had obtained with '-rhe Christian but
broke an the records OF that play.
Then came the broad step She was
- do Viola I'm Twelfth Night What
a shock that was 10 The fraternity Of
managers may be guessed from the cir
cuinstance that the decision was avert
ed until Miss Allen had parted Win thu
nrm which produced the two Han Game
plays. 1t was bad enough to undertake
5nakespeares but 10 select "TveIff1
Night with The memory. Of Nielsen and
Hehan. Iodjesza and AIarIove. Terry
anu Wainwright fresh ia everybodv's
heaft-tne woman was inviting disaster
II she ald' disaster was au unwilling
guest and did not nut i'm an appearance.
LlkeRlses artistic failure STAYED away.
And the actress who once gave promise
Of success Ia societv roles had become
a successful exponent OF Shakespearean
comedy.
Rosalind OF a New Play?
The Winters Tale was sufficiently,
discussed ia these columns last Tues
day The play is not over pleasing Of
itself But 10 acts better than IL reads.
and Il given the personality or a charm
ing woman IL attains charm all OF It's
own Miss Aliens acting in il is dis
unctly an advance over anything else
she has done. 10 does not suffice. how
ever. % lift Winters Tale" 10 a rank
with Twelfth Night" More than one
good critic, indeed. thinks the latter play
genius.
What Miss Allen plans 90 do next
year is not announced. Perhaps she viii
essay hcsalind. Why nOtT She would
antagOnlze u0 more tradition than when
she undertook 60 act Viola. But Beatrice
would become her more fully, and Cor
dela-lt anyone could ind "a fuIi-sized
Lear-would ~ her best OF ALL ia may
BE- il counsel will prevail and that she
VIII Do dissuaded from continuing in
Shakespeare roles for the sake of some
tninE new IT so We shall grit our
teeth, smile as sHeetiy as NAV boz over
our disappointment and prepare 10 en-
JOY the new play as best Ne can.
Miss Walsh as Maslova.
Miss Walsh acts MaslOva well. The
inpersonatiOn IS at ala times impressive.
occasionally thrilling. and only once Of
% fensive. TO those who have read Toll
st0y's novel that only once" WlU be
significant. IL should be said further. iu
justice 20 Miss Walsh. that her oneuse
e. directly due 10 the playwright who