The Washington herald., 1906-10-30
Raymond Hitchcock scores Success
I'm THE GaIIoper.o

Raymond Hitchcock, in The GaIloper,'
play by Richard Harding Davis, at
tracted 10 the Columbia Theater last
night an audience ia size and apprecia-
tion quite in keeping with what might be
expected cf such a combination Of au-
thorship and acting The actor has so
long been associated with musical COM
edy that this essay into straight comedy
was looked forward 70 with some curl
osity. much confidence. and many well
wishes. Il is safe 10 say that no one
was other than perfectly satisfied with
the venture.
Richard Harding Davis I'm his latest ef-
fort has-earried his public into new fields;
has placed his up-to-date American hero
in the midst Of the Graeco-Turkish
struggle Of 1877. and, taking advantage OF
the temptations presented by a setting so
suggestive Of opera bOuffc. has brought
out all the hUmor in situations which
We're never intended to be taken by Amer
lean audiences otherwise than mcck-seri-
ously
The Galloper' is full of swift action,
farcicaI situations. quiet humor. horse
play. and even has pulse-quickening dra-
matte moments. which lift IL from the
level OF the average farce-cOmcdy. The
merit lies i'm its smOotbness and its logic
ally developed story. which in spite of
its very daring absurdity. possesses Il
tingc Of probability and Il picturesque
underlying sentiment. The d0ings of
( breezy busting American characters in
an atmosphere of Eastern sluggishness
and misunderstanding furnish the excuse
Tor very pleasant and amusing even
ing s entertainment.
The bare statement that Mr. Hitchcock
has a role in which ne is seen at his best.
can by no means describe the manner in
into the authors evident intention of Gre
atiug Copeland Schuyler Tho creator of
Bob Clay and Van Bibber knows better
than any other how TO picture the typi-
cal, pleasure and excitement loving, idle
American. who, having exhausted his re-
sources at home. must needs seek di-
version in other scenes. Copeland Schuy-
Ter maSquerdding as war correspondent
among the Turks and Greeks. gives Afr
Hitchcock unexcelled opportunity, of
which he has taken every advantage His
peculiar, unctuous style OF humOr, with
its flashes of seriousness, equip him
splendidly for the part.
The supporting company is a notable
one EuSdT l. Davenport as hlikc War
Ten. the real war correspondent. while
having bus little 10 do. stands out prom
iUCrtly in a role calling for much pent-up
emotion. Herbert COrthell was inim!table
as plain newspaper man, who refuses to
be known as "a war correspondent" Al
exander Kearney. as Capt. OManey.
and Herbert Cawthorne as Mr.. Griggs.
furnished good foils for the stars fun
making. Afr CoTtheITs appearance in the
last act as a Turkish colonel was a mas
terpiece Of makeup, and was well acted.
George Lawrence, who viii always he
remembered for her achievement IS the
hair-dTesser in Her own Way" was
appropriately cast as the optimistic
human fly" and made every line that
she was intrustcd with telling one.
Pauline Anthony as Grace Whitney, gave
d charming portrayal of n sweet. inge-
NOUS American, girl. who wins the love of
The GallOper," and Susie ForreSter-Ca Cav
thorne, caused genuine amusement as
MIS-. Sybil Schwartz. a widow with two
breweries and department store.
Several handsome stage settings have
been provided for the Galloper" and the
handling of the climaxes shows care
ful and Intelligent stage management
The audience. which filed every portion
Of the theater, would not be satisfied
until Mr. Hitchcock made q droll speech
OF thanks