The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-04-07
Cbe CbedtreS
A Clean Slate.

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 To those who may have doubted Miss Al berta Gallatin's versatility after seeing her excellent portrayal in Ghosts last year. she proved last night in "A Clean Slate that her abilities are not confined to any phase of histrionic arts.
 The small audience that went to the Montgomery Theatre enjoyed "A Clean Slate thoroughly and the entertainment deserved better patronage. It was one oi the most delightful little comedies that has been presented in Montgomery this season
 The play is now here: II was written by R. C. Carton. author of Lord and Lady Algy" It deals mainly with two married couples who, on account of incompatability secure divorces It is brought out early in the first act that one character, Admiral Desbrook. had before his marriage been in love with the present Mrs. Tracy Auberton portrayed by Miss Gallatin, showed that time had not changed the affections of her youth.
 The first scene in which Admiral Des- brook and Mrs. Auberton meet after fit' teen years is in lawyers office in Lon don. Six months elapse before the next scene-a farmers cottage in Devonshire where Mrs. Auberton is staying. Admiral Desbrook soon comes on the scene and the lovemaking after long time, Is taken up again. Marriage Is finally agreed upon. In the meantime Tracy Auberton has been on a continental tour with his newly acquired love. Mrs. Desbrook. a hair-brained woman, and has left her after a spat with her strong tempered mother. Tracy Au- berton regrets leaving his divorced wife and seeks her in her rural retreat with his uncle. She receives them cooly and nothing comes of Tracy's wish to begin again domestic relations with his one-time wife.
 The arrival of Mrs. Madigan and her nn ha muddles matters and gives opportunity for mistaken identity and other amusing situ- ations.
 Mrs Gallatln acted well the part of Mrs. Auberton The part was one easy to over step, and here she showed her true value as a very clever woman. She was easy and natural at all times and made the most of the amusing situations which called for delightful bits of comedy. Her work deep ened the splendid impression she made on a Montgomery audience last year the cynical Mrs. Alving.
 Miss GallatIn is aided materially in this play by an excellent supporting company. l.. Rogers Lytton made convincing Ad- miral Desbrook. A good stage presence was of importance in his work. and he showed nice discretion in his reading Tracy Auberton, the runaway husband. was well done by Alfred Britton. Many actors do English gentlemen parts and many also overdo them. Mir. Britton showed a happy medium which was most satisfactory.
 A delightful character bit was done by Miss Ella Collmer as Tabitha, an English slavey. She evinced at all times a clear un- derstandlng of the part and she made the utmost of the opportunities. No more con- yinclng portrayal of this difficult class of character work has been seen in Montgom- cry in many day.
 Walfred Wilson as a half-witted farm hand was engaging and brought out many laughs Madeline Rives also deserves credit for her Mrs. Desbrook. As silly, senti- mental woman of loN birth. she was every thing that could have been wished.
 The play was well staged and the cos tunes and scenic appurtenances were ade- quate.
 Miss Gallatin was presented with bouquets from the Cradle of the Confederacy tha Secession Capital and Dixie Chapters of the Daughters of the Confederacy of Montgom- cry. She Is a daughetr of Brag:dier Gen eral Albert Jenkins. who fell fighting for the South on one of the historic battle fields of Virginia. She wore the flowers in one of the curtain calls that the audi ence demanded in recognition of her su- perior ability as an actress.
 E. II. Sothern and Julia Marlowe in "Romeo and Juliet" tonight