The Washington times., 1905-03-28
NEW ACTOR PLAYS
TO CROWDED HOUSE
William BramWell Fills
Lafayette With Good Play.

The first presentation in Washington
or Victor Mapes' historical drama,
Captain Darlington" at the Lafayette
Opera House, last night, was honored
with one of the largest and most bril-
liant audiences that have gathered in
that playhouse this season. The reason
for this exceptional gathering was that
the performances was arranged by the
Pierce Guild as benefit for its hospital
fund.
Among those present were Senator
and Mrs, Cullom, Mrs. John ]. Edison,
Mrs w. Fl. Moses, Mr.. and Mrs. ray
lor, Mrs. s. w. Woodward, Mrs w A
Jones, Mrs E. F. Graves, DR.. and Mrs.
Jenness Miller. j. !. Norris. Mrs. Joseph
Crawford, Mrs. Alexander Britton, Mr..
and Mrs. J. H. Green, Mrs. II. G.
Stewart, Mrs. r. w. Cooke, Mrs. S.
Miss Kauffmann, B. T. Cole, c. H
Hendley, Mrs. Wallace, Mrs. Thompson.
Mrs. Swopef Mrs Burrell Mrs. George
3. Welch. Mrs. Frank Brown, Mrs. A
". Haines, Mrs. J. j. Lghtfoot, Mrs.
kimbali, Mr.. and Mrs. Peters, Major
and Mrs. Sylvester, Mrs. Leach, Mrs.
Saulers, Mrs. Richards, Mrs. Graham,
Mrs. Richardson, Mrs. T. F. Snyder,
Mrs. NJ. Nj. Parker. Mrs. Fred ]. Ber-
ger, and Mrs. James F. Hood, Mr.. and
Mrs. Rudolph Kauffmann, Mrs. Ellin-
ger, Major J. NJ. Bell, Snd the Misses
DaTnbOrn.
Introduces a Eew Actor.
The new play presented by Henri
Gressitt also served to introduce new
actor, William Bramwell. who under
takes the difficult task OF assuming three
different characters-those of Genera!
o1s nf
fieer in the Continental army, and Cap
tain harrington, a British officer. MIR.
Bramwell IS a very young man, with
fine stage presence and handsome feat
ures. physically well equipped, therefore,
for the representation of the dual mill
tary roles
But therc was a misgiying, before the
curtain rose, as to his ability to clothe
o character Ike General Washington
with the commanding dignity belonging
to it. All apprehension on this score.
however, WAS quickly dispened, for i'll
mien and manner the actor set before
his audience an altogether satisfying
portrait OF the commander OF the Amer
1can 2rmieS. As regards the two other
parts that of Captain Darlington found
greater favor, despite the fact that pa
triottc Sympathies would ordinarily have
declared for the young American war
riof. However that may be. there was
! but one opinion, and that was that Mr.
BramweH did admirable piece of
work with all three of the characters
assumed by MIN.
Historically Interesting and Accurate.
The action of the play revolves around
the historical plot to abduct General
Washington while at dinner at the
| house of a supposed friend, and in this
respect the story is well worked out
/ There is collateral interest. of course
! in the love story of Lieutenant Fielding
| and Ruth Langdon. the ward of Cas-
/ per Moulton, the false friend who in
/ Yites Washington to dinner with the
/, intention of betraying him into the
| hands Of the enemy. It is through her
| that Washington is Informed of the trap
| laid for him.
| Catherine Calhoun, said to be a de-
| scendant of the great Sotuh Carolinian
| appears as Ruth and created a decid-
| edly favorable Impression The same
| cam be said of Lucia F. Huxford, a
| daughter of Major Huxford. well sl1owr
| in this city, who was cast for the par,
! of Irene MifIiin. The remainder of the
| supporting company is made UP of but
| Indifferent material.
| The scenic settings are unusually
| good and historically correct, both the
! exterior and the interior of the Colon
ial mansion being given with minute at
| tention TO detail.