The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14
A Morality Plau
Comedy as a Vehicle for
Psychological Studu-The
Lesson of "A Messenger
From Mars Excellent
Bills for Season Close.

COMEDY ruled with 0l0lSpuLSu sway
on the Washington stage last week, and
if the minds of the natives inclined IN
that direction they had an ample vari-
ETY. to select from for an evenings diver
sion. The offerings were OF more than
ordinary quality; in fact. two of them
were supremely delightful. While the
entertainment given by the Mask and
Wig Club. OF Philadelphia, was notable
as social function. it has to be RANKED
among the very frst-class Productions.
I in regard to the play offered by the club
as well as to the excellence OF the per-
formers individually and collectively.
"a Message From Mars had q graft
flying reception on its second visit here.
not only because the chief figure In the
. pa1y Is iTnpersonated by so agreeable an
actor as Mr.. Hawtrey. but for the rea-
son s4aat4tffe moral lesson Hitseonveys
! is borne In upon the minds of the aud
fence in so captivating a garb. Re-
piete with delicate humor. it also
abounds with pathetic incidents brought
IN TO furnish the different object lessons
which the Marian has been deputed to
teach to Horace Parker. in order to
cure the latter of his selfshness- The
conception that q man who had no
thought-or but few-of anything or any
TO dream in which an inhabitant of
the planet concerning which he has just
been INDUCING in all sorts of specula-
lions. takes up the task of his moral
regeneration is a most happy one. and
It is carried forward with SO much verb
similitude anG earnestness that 1t COM
pletely absorbs the spectators IN respect
to every one OF the surrounding cir
eurnstances. The piav furnishes con-
ydnefag proof that the stage may be
made to furnish moral lessons witt out
resorting to the exploitation of moral
monstrosities.
Ar. Hanford gave us a brief season
of Shakespeare and his Petruchio In
1.-THE Tanning of the Shrew" can be
ciassed with the most commendable
efforts in that line So also his little
character sketch OF 1.-The Old Guard
showed his capabilities OF deIireation,
but he would do well 10 eliminate from
It the French accent with which he
envelopes the lines he has to speak. II
dctracts decidedly from the dignity OF
the performance.
This week there will be at the New
National revival of a regular "old-
timer"-tLondon Assurance Forty
years ago Dion Boucicau1ts play was an
accepted favorite here as well as In
other cities 1t will be interesting to
observe how the present generation re-
eeiyes If. It will not lack adequate
talent tor its presentation. for Ellis
Jeffreys ranks among England's fore
most actresses, and the names that ap-
pear as her supporting company bespeak
respectful consideration. At the Column
bia the supplemental season opens with
1.-The Case or Rebellious Susan. and
the stock company engaged by Man
ager Luckett courts among its mem
bers several Wks are well and tayorably
known to the washington public At the
Lafayette 1.-The Says vii. exploit
tflaumatargy; Chase's VIII close the
season with a good bill OF vaudeville
! EeIodrama VIII have its accustomed
vogue at the Academy. and another
saoig show will hold forth at the I4y
scum.