Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-18
THE THEATE Err.
Columbia Theater.

1.-THE Optimist." whose career was In
angurated last night at the Columbia The
alter. In many ways bears out the genial
promise of its title. 1t Is pleasant play
with congenial opportunities for the good
actors In the cast, and nothing that over
taxes the less competent. It is the story
OF man who obstinateiy insists on cher
fishing the more sunny ideals OF life. and
although not developed In strong lines OF
Characterization. the title role presents Mr..
J. H. Gilmour in a very graceful and at
tractiye light. The story OF the play Is
charmingly consistent; sufficiently. German
and philosophic to give It good intel
lectual foundation. Yet the interest is al
lowed to diffuse itself among the various
characters to degree that does not al
low any one of them to realize the full pos
sibilities of a role.
Miss Charlotte Walker Is seen to better
advantage than in any part before allotted
to her, and is cut off, right in her prime, at
the close OF the third act. This is no
triiiing bereavement, for Miss Walkers
work is quite the most vivacious and gen.
orally fetching in the piece. And surely
Thomas Wise, with all his portly and de-
lightful JUNCTION, and Gerald Griffin. who Is
to the very life an ideal journalist of the
old school, will be far too gallant to hesi-
tate about waving their claims to consid-
Grafton and according her complete prece-
dence. Heretofore Miss Walker has been
seen IN serious roles. And in these there
was tinge of ROBUSTNESS too well dis
guised to dominate a movement of her per-
formance, and yet temperamental protest
against the solemnities which she assumed.
To the role of Hattie Drake of the theater
she brings wealth of natural sprightli
ness, scintillant and graciously compelling.
Her comedy is simple and emphatic, yet
delicate and tasteful The character she
assumes might easily be coarsened. but one
or two obvious temptations to do this,
which the author has thrown in her way,
are skilifuily and gracefully avoided with
out sacrifice of spirit or verisimilitude.
Miss Walkers present performance brings
a new type to the stage, one which is most
agreeable and to which her own personal
alone in the enjoyment of opportunities.
All the characters have something to do;
some of them too much.
The play has a number of good scenes,
which were heartily applauded. Mr.. Sgd
ney Rosenfeld, the author, was duly called
before the curtain. and responded to the
customary request for speech with the
trepfdation which becomes a playwright
on frst night.
Any one of number of roles in THE
Optimist" might be elevated into stellar
Importance, but the intention seems to be
to maintain an average of interest rather
than to rely upon individual brilliancy. The
that might be expected for 1t, Mr.. Gill
mours work being concentrated in a single
scene, which he carries with force and
genuineness. although the theme Is not one
of great Inherent emotionalsm. The gem
eral impression Of the piece Is wholesome
and agreeable. Without being didactic or
problematical, 1t conveys, along with It's
generous quota of laughs, some good, hon.
est suggestions as to the value of a gen.
erous and predetermined view Of affairs.