The Washington times., 1906-01-23
LAWRANCE O'ORSAY
PlEASES FIRST-NIGHTERS
English Actor Faced by Critical Audi
ence in His Presentation OF the
Embassy Ball"

Lawrance Dorsey faced an unusually
critical audience at the National Theater
, last night in Daniel Frohman nrst
metropolitan presentation OF the re-
written Embassy BALI by Augustus
: Thomas. His reception by the large
gathering OF Washington first-nighters
promises we'll for the comedy chosen by
his management 10 follow up the Eng
lish actors success in THE Earl or Paw
tucket."
a strong local atmosphere adds in
terest TO a Washington engagement Of
1.-THE Embassy Ball" The first and third
acts show the interior OF a Washington
home which. according to the scenic
artist should be IN the immediate Vi
cinity of II street and Vermont aven r
The second act shows the interior OF the
Arlington Hotel. To increase the local
atmosphere four minor speaking parts
are assigned TO as many genuine col
oTed people who require no makeup.
And il must be said their work is really
clever. The frisky bell-boy OF the Ar
lington, and the dignified Daniel, man
servant OF the Jarrett household. add a
touch Of realism that every true Wash
ingtonian can thoroughly appreciate
The comedy has palpably- been writ
ten TO Mt Mr.. DOrsNy's ability 10 pOr-
tray the type Of Englishman thaL
Americans like TO see on the stage che
plot is not complicated, and deals al
most exclusively with thee entangling
matrimonial engagements Of the Hon
Durable with the u. you know Hawar-
den-Kellie, captain OF guardsmen and
military attache OF his maJesty's en-
bassy at Washington. The role fits
D'Orsay like a glove, and is a happily
chosen 'follOw-up" OF his character
part in The Earl of PawtuckeL" The
star is on the stage the greater part
of the evening-the play suffers mater
tally when he is not in evidence-and
last nights audience apparently wanted
: him on all the time. At the close Of
the second act he was called before the
curtain and Obliged to say compliment
tary things about Washington. Mr..
Thomas was also brought forth to
speak of his new production.
The company gives the star very
creditab BILE support. George Clarke plays
the Senator from Oregon and plays It
excellently we'll. The type Of statesman
he creates may not be found In the
Senate this session. but Congress has
known the brand. Forrest Robinson is
somewhat inclined TO everyday the part
OF Thomas Jarrett. His accentuation is
at times rather TOO strong But he won
favor with the audience. Charlotte
Walker plays Madge Bender. the Sen
ator's daughter Her appearance was
greeted with applause by many in the
house. who remembered her work in
the stock company that played the Co.
lCmbla Theater last summer.
A comparison OF last nights perform
ance with criticisms of its first few pro-
ductions in the New England States
earlier in the season shows decided
changes in construction. There are
stil changes TO be made which will
quicken the action OF the play The
FIRST act requires particular attention
II can better afford 10 lose some OF its
clever lines than continue its tendency
10 drag.
very smart audience attended the
performance at the National last night
Among those present were the first sec
retary Of the Brazilian embassy and
Nine do Amaral and the latter's sister
Miss GOdinhO; the Minister from Mica
Tagua, SenOr Corea; Commander and
Mrs. Hodges. Senator and Mrs. Scott
the Mexican Minister to Cuba and Nine
Cody, and Miss Cody. The MerTiams
occupied a box, and Lieut.. and Mrs
John Timmons entertained a box party