Los Angeles herald., 1905-12-26
PLAY FOR ALL IS
COLLEGE WIDOW
ADE'S BEST COMEDY WELL
PRESENTED
University Men Realize Instantly How
True to Life Piece Is and De-
clare Author Master
Of Types

George AIDES part in the eternal
scheme Of things was made brilliantly
evident yesterday afternoon at the Ma
son opera house where the best of his
plays "The College Widow" opened
weeks engagement.
The idiosyncrasies of college life have
presented the humorist with fruitful
field for his wonderfully keen satire
and i'm addition he has evolved the
most interesting plot he has yet dis
covered upon which to hang his wit.
1t is a play for everyone and even
though one got his education beside the
pine knot after working hours the
comedy ought not to be missed; but
those who boast n frat emblem,
shake hands according to a ritual,
know the regulation college songs, un-
derstand the art of successfully DOCTOR
ing an expense account and who own
to similar requisites of a university
training will find in the piece an in
finite store of hearty laughs which will
float harmlessly past the less favored
members of society.
True to Life
Ade never misses introducing the
little characteristic touches of human
fly which will make the man in the
audience nudge his neighbor and re-
mark how true to life it Is. Such an
incident as the girl at the dance
searching for pins to repair the dam
age that some clumsy foot has made
along the bottom OF her skirt is not
necessary to the plot, and If Henrik Ib-
sen had written "'rhe College Widow"
he would have eliminated such extra
neous superfluities but in our lighter
moments this Ade flavor reaches home
like nothing else in the world, and no
serious discussion on the complexities
of civilization can more truly present
the fobles and faults as well as the
virtues of the worlds inhabitants.
Most politicians recognize the car
toon as one of the most potent factors
in the education of the people and 1t
is by this same sign that Ade con-
quors
Ade, Master of Types
George Ade is a master of types
and most of his plays as well as his
stories are based on the various frail-
ties by which the average human falls
short of perfection. The college widow.
an attractive feature of every
college like the daughter of the regi-
ment, is the ambition of every youthful
gallant who comes within the radius
of her domain. until finally the right
man comes and captures her heart.
Jane Witherspoon. the daughter of
the college president, does not refuse
to use her famous charms to induce n
football hero to abandon his intention
of joining a rival college team and be-
+ come a member of the Atwater eleven.
1t is because of this mans presence
that the great Thanksgiving game is
won for Atwater.
Then this half-back whose touch
down saved the day finds that he was
tricked into remaining at Atwater and
this prepares the way for final scene
wherein the college widow confesses
that what was at first deception on
ber part has turned into a more lasting
and more worthy feeling towards this
Billy Bolton. and the curtain descends
with the happy match arranged.
Jane Witherspoon is played by Doro-
thy Tennant, who is one of the most
attractive actresses who have visited
Los Angeles this season. Frederick
Truesdell is seen as Billy Bolton and
he gives a true, genuine picture of the
college man.
"Freshie" Transformed
Among the character studies Ray
mond Chase as the "freshie" who is
transformed from AN awkward coun-
try youth into a most dazzling ultra
fashionable college dandy is one of the
most delightful features of the play.
Neil Moran is excellent as the college
president. Walter Walker gives Won
derful individuality and strength to the
role of the railroad president who fur
nishes the finances for the rival school
and whose son is "lfted" by the
charms of the college widow.
Dan Baker deserves praise for his
work in the part Of the trainer and
LaurInce Wheat made his stub"
Tamadge a triumph of stage art. Ade-
line Dunlap gave a picture of an ath-
]etiC girl that was I; continual source
of enjoyment for the audience. Kath-
crime Nugent took the character of the
village waitress ana daughter of the
woman who runs the boarding house
and her work deserves highest praise
The others of the company were all
excellent. The scenic effects We're also
feature, the football game being one
of the most realistic things the local
stage has known.