The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-04-11
ADJUSTMENTS
Viola Allen.

tiOld FNilCus
Viola Allen IS satisfying In every play
she Attempts, whether it be one of Shakes
peare's masterpieces or product of some
playwright of the present, as Clyde Fitch.
In "rhe Toast of the Town" the Fitch
play which Miss Allen presented in a
manner eminently worthy of her art at
the Jefferson theatre last night, two dis
tinguishing features are to be noted. In
the first place, it provides the star with
a difficult role which she interprets well,
and in the second place, it reveals Clyde
Fitch in a more ambitious guise than he
is usually viewed by the public. THE
Toast of the Town. while trifle tedious
at times, is play which has many adj
mirable qualities, a plot that is worth
while and lines that show Mr.. Fitch at
his best. As play it should rank with
the few that have been written in recent
years by American playwrights. deserv-
ing more than passing attention. One is
accustomed to look upon Mr.. Fitch in a
spirit of levity as a sort of machine play
wright-the Theodore Kremer of his
school, but. like The Climbers the play
which he has written for Miss Allen is
excellent.
To say that Miss Allen makes the role
of Betty Singleton, adored by the masses
anu fWO1SHlDDtu Tue StdSt, 81 hfiiS
embodiment would be superfluous. Betty
is at the height of her career, scores of
lovers at her feet the world applauding
her art and the flush of triumph on her
cheek, when she gives her heart TO a
nobleman who does not love her but Is
ambitious to call the most famous actress
of the day his wife. Tt is long story TO
the final understanding, when, after sep
aration and suffering, the two are re-
nm ot la ct awake in the heart Of
Betty's husband Miss Allen grasped the
possibilities of the character and simu-
lated the lights and shadows of Betty $
impulsive disposition with rare skill, al
though she was most convincing in those
scenes where pathos and an element OF
tragedy predonfnated. She was. however,
pleasing and human all through the play
and her performance was irreproaehable.
Signal honors fell to the share of Isabel
Irving, who made the part of Roxanna
rarely delightful. AS whimsical. capri
cious and volatile actress. rather light
headed and petulant but good at heaft,
Miss Irving was singularly successful.
She made Roxanna dainty and droll, Inn
bued with much viVacity and femininlty.
She was as petite and clever a figure as
one would wish to see. proving an admir-
able foil for Miss Aliens more serious
efforts.
The company as a whole was unusually
capable Mrs, Fannie Addison Pitt as the
dowager was amusing. while Miss Alice
Wilson as Lady Charlotte was acceptable
in negative role. Conway Tearle played
the part of Malmsbury, husband of Betty,
with god taste and feeling. Harrison Hun
ter as Lord Phillips attempted a sympa-
thetic Interpretation but he was a trife
too STACEY Hessard Short as Lordy Al
gernon Malmsbury enacted some fine
comedy but came very near upsettlng one
of his best scenes by giving way to laugh
ter C. Leslie Allen. 9 the old theatrical
manager, Mclaughlin. presented a good
character study.
The staging of the play was elaborate
and beautiful. The green room scene was
exceptionally handsome.