Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1905-10-17
SHADESOF MISTRESSHALLAM
HOVER AROUND THE COLONIAL
THEATRE.
Where Miss Davis Is The Star In
"The Player Maid"
Last Night.
A DRAMATIC MASTERPIECE BY
A BALTIMOREAN.

Shades of Mrs. Eleanor Hallam,
the one-time great actress, who play
ed at Drury Lane Theatre, London,
aud also in America, must have hover
| ed about the Colonial Theatre last
nieht, where she was ihpersonated by
| Miss Florence Davis, a charming
| Southern girl, gifted with histrionic
/ genius. Perhaps no one could have
! better impersona ted Eleanor Hallam,
| who comes TO US out of the limelight,
| down the corridors of time, of cen
| tury ago, as the greatest actress of
her day.
| Eleanor Hallam, who is the heroine
of 'The Player Maid, /" in which Miss
Florence Davis was the star at the
Colonial Theatre last night, was q
member of the celebrated family of
| Hallams whose descendants live in
Annapolis today. One of this family
| of Hallams--Lewis Hallam-was the
| first player TO bring a company from
England TO play in America. He came
| TO this country in 1875, in the late
i spring and opened at williamsburg,
| then the capitol of Virginia, and the
center of its fashionable society. In
the following September. the first
| Shakespearean performance was given
being "Othello," this was followed,
as was then the custom of the times,
by afaroe.
The company prospered until the
breaking out of the Revolutionary
| war, when Hallam-an bis company,
finding the minds of the people intent
on sterner drama Of real life, went
to the West Indies, but returned on
the conclusion of peace, and arranged
a circuit of cities for the company,
embracing New York, Philadelphia,
Baltimore and Annapolis. He played
here in "Belle's Stratagem, and also
the comedy "Who's The Dupe - The
program, the original copy of which
is in the possession today of an Anna
politan. says; "Tickets can be had
at the Printing Office (Jonas Green's3
at Mr.. Wethercroft's near the Church
(St. Anne's) and of Mr.. Claude oppo.
site the Postofice.
| This Mr.. Lewis Hallam was a broth
eT of Miss Eleanor Hallam, the noted
actress whom Miss Davis impersonRted
last night. The visit of Hallam to
this country with his company is the
subject of John Esten Cooks we'll
known novel 1.-The Virginia Come
dians " So much for Miss Hallam
the leading character. study in which
Annapolis is peculiarly interested.
But what of the play, the author of
which is Miss Louise Malloy, a Bal
timore newspaper woman, engaged in
journalistic work on the Baltimore
American
"The Player Maid, +" the creation
of Miss Malloy's brain, is a literary
gem. 1t is most cleverly written. Its
lines from rise to fall of curtain
sparkle with wit and wisdom, 1t is
full of action from start to finish
there is not dull moment. Its eli
makes are logical and come Just ct
the proper point in the play. 1t is
wholesome and intellectual and
leaves good flavor with the audi
ence. who cannot help but be pleased.
Baltimore should feel proud of the
woman who can write such play as
1.-THE Player Maid, " for she is lit
erary genius.
And vet again, what of the players I?
Miss Florence Davis, in the title role,
is most charming. She is attractive,
pretty, graceful and talented She
captivated the audience at the Offset.
her voice is we'll modulated and mu-
sical and she makes her personally
felt. Her petulance is captivating
and her tenderness in the less frolic-
some scenes is exquisitely charming
She is an art study in lights and
shades, and at one moment has her
audience laughingIy responsive to her
| Whims and caprices, the next in SOM
berness and almost tears.
"The Player Maid'' is in four acts
and deals with the fortunes of Flea
nor Hallam, an actress noted in the
time of David Garrick for her genius,
beauty, wit and imperious temper.
The action occurs about the year 1850
when Garrick, who is one of the char
acters inkthe play, was manager Of the
old DruTy Lane Theatre. The first
act occurs in the Green Room of that
famous playhouse on tile night of her
triumph as Juliet. She is the pet
aud host of the town. A fellow actor
, named Barry piques her at the indif-
ference of nobleman, the Earl of Rox.
bury, who has declined to be present
ed TO her. A young woman of the
nobility subsequently appeals to her
for aid TO escape from distateful
marriage into which her guardian en-
! deavors to force ner.
The marriage engagement was made
when the latter was q child, since
which time she has lived in France
and has never seeh her intended hus-
band. Eleanor learns that he is none
other than the Earl of Roxbury and
| in a spirit of reckless fun and love of
adventure and also to rebuke the
handsome young gallant Tor his con-
temptuous Indifference, she decides
to help the young woman. She
startles the London world by her sud-
den disappearance from the theatre
and the gay city. She is received with
open arms at the ancestral home of the
young noblewoman whose guardian
has not seen his ward since she was a
child. Here the Earl comes TO WOO
his promised bride. Amusing and exs
citing complications ensue and the in
terest of the story is strongly sustain
ed.
Mr.. Elliott Dexter, as the Earl of
Roxbury, is @ good support to Miss
Davis. His lovemaking is natural and
; pleasing His toast in the last act
was particularly well done. Miss
J Soules as "Sally, Mr.. Bean as the
! irascible Lord Canning are we'll cast
and the entire support is q capable
one. The play is well staged and the
costumes of the period are picturesque.
1.-The Player Maid" deserves the sue
cess of dramatic masterpiece.
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