The Washington times., 1906-06-26
PARKING COMEDY
AT THE COLUMBIA
"Pink Dominos" Proves an
Exceptionally Delightful
Entertainment.

With Miss Dorothy Hammond out OF
the cast and two new members playing
important roles. the Standing and Luck
EFT stock company nevertheless gave
last night. at the Columbia Theater. a
performance that. from the viewpoint
OF the audience. is one Of the most. If
not the most, pleasing entertainments
of the present engagement
James Alberry's adaptation OF Pink
Dominos." as presented by Sir Charles
Wyndham at the Criterion Theater,
London. is the comedy selected for this
week And 1T is a play that. TO quote a
gentleman CT the company, carries It
self" With a mediocre cast IL would
stlll be amusing. AS presented last
night IL proves an irresistible attrac-
ton and a guaranteed cure for blues.
The story In brief Is the adventures
Of two wives. who lay a trap for their
husbands. Sophia Greytho-ne (Anna
Johnston) entertains a childlike conf
dence in her spouse. Sir Charles Grey
thorne Guy Standing). Lady Maggie
Wagstar (Adelaide Alexander). on the
other hand. is at all times prepared 20
believe the worst Of her worse half. Sir
Percy Wagstafr (John Mason). AT the
same time she is perfectly cheerful
about it
To test their lords and masters. they
send them anonymous invitations 10 a
bal masqGe, and arrange meeting places
Both wives are TO be dressed IN pink
dOminOs. and under the terms Of the
conspiracy they are 10 exchange hus-
bands. The'E little plan works TO per-
fection and the full development Of the
comedy comes in the second act when
the two couples have private dining
rooms at Cremorne Gardens. Under the
same hospitable roof is Joslin Tubbs
George saston). whose wife (Jeffreys
Lewis has been called out OF town
by the sickness OF a friend. Joskin
appeals 10 Sir Percy 10 secure him an
Introduction 10 a live one as IL is
his first separation from his strong
minded wife IN thirty years. and he feels
an irresistible impulse 10 be deVilish.
He gets one who sends him along
Tor a 10 supper. and then disappears.
HIS nephew Henry (Malcolm Duncan) Is
also !,. among those present, IN company
with Lady l'ercy's maid. Rebecca (Jessie
Busley). who is dressed in a pink dornf-
no. which matches exactly those worn
by the two wives With such excellent
opportunities for situations ii can read
ily be sesa that the action OF the plav
Is bOund 20 reach a pretty rapid pace
and mdntain II 20 the end.
Geor &c Castor sets the comedy amov-
haIdled with great skill and from the
moment his vigorous better half dis
covers him surreptiuOusly glancing over
collection of ballet dancer photo
graphs the spectators are kept in a gale
OF n.trth TO the very last curtain. Miss
Lewis plays an excellent opposite GUY
Standing and John Mason represent two
distinct types OF husbands Mr.. Stand
ing's. a model Of propriety until he can
manage 10 get called away from home
by an urgent telegram" Mr.. Mason =
an eaSy-gOtng man OF the world with
a decent regard for the opinions Of
mankind and a decided objection 20 be
much trouble avoid it. The work OF
both gentlemen IS polished and quite uD
TO the possibilities OF theft excellent
roles.
Miss Busiey has one of her favcrIte
parts-that Of a maid who knows more
than her employers suspect She played
her role last night with an intelligent
skill that is delightful 70 witness. Anna
Johnston, who mas been playing in
genue roles. Is cast for the sentimental,
oVercredulouS wife. one would natur-
ally suppose her work should suffer bv
the change on the contrary. though
the part Is probably not congenial. she
gave a most pleasing Performance,
handling her lines with confidence and
skill Miss Alexander's part is a rad
ical departure from her Shakespearean
work, but she shows confidence in her
new surroundings Malcolm Duncan
and Hall McAilister are exceptionally
strong in minor roles.
The many friends of Miss Dorothy
that her condition Is so materially i'm
proved that her physician promises her
return to the company for the week
after next.